[Orgvpdue] October 2025 DUE Spotlight

Wed Nov 5 14:52:09 PST 2025

*Undergraduate Education Monthly Spotlights*
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The* DUE Monthly Spotlight Series* aims to highlight important advances
across the Division of Undergraduate Education. The goal is to ensure that
our fellow DUE members stay in the know as we collectively work toward
DUE’s strategic goals, including boosting graduation rates and reducing
equity gaps, among others.
*Hu Family and Friends Endowed Experiential Learning Fund*
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is pleased to announce the
establishment of the *Hu Family and Friends Endowed Experiential Learning
Fund*.

*Chancellor S. Jack Hu and his wife, Jun Du, created the fund to enhance
access to experiential learning opportunities for UCR's undergraduate
students*. Its purpose is to provide financial support across all UCR
colleges and schools for undergraduates who participate in high-impact
learning experiences. These opportunities include, but are not limited to:

 Undergraduate research;
 Study abroad programs;
 Service-learning projects; and
 Unpaid internship programs.

”UC Riverside’s distinction is reflected in its dual commitment to academic
excellence and access. Through this fund, my wife, Jun, and I hope to help
more undergraduates connect their academic pursuits with real-world
experiences that enrich their careers and lives,” Chancellor Hu said.

Louie F. Rodriguez, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education, will
be responsible for administering the fund to maximize its impact on UCR
students.

“This gift helps advance the Divisional and campus-wide strategic goals of
boosting high-impact practices and improving undergraduate student success
for all UCR students, and we are excited about its impact,” Vice Provost
Rodriguez said.

The Hu Family and Friends Endowed Experiential Learning Fund represents a
lasting commitment by Chancellor Hu and his family to student success and
academic excellence at UC Riverside.
UCR students attend UC Davis Pre-Health Conference

10 UCR students attended the *23rd annual UC Davis Pre-Health Conference*
from October 17-19 to learn about health professions careers and to meet
with admissions staff and deans from over 100
Medical/Dental/PA/Pharmacy/Veterinary and other programs from across the
country. Additionally, there were 50+ workshops showcasing topics such as
how to get clinical, research, and service experiences, how to prepare for
the MCAT, how to request a letter of recommendation, and demonstrations of
state-of-the-art life-saving and surgical techniques.

This year’s theme was *Exploring the Art of Healthcare*.

In addition to UCR students attending the conference and fair, they also
participated in an invite only Meet & Greet with health professions
programs admissions deans and a private tour of UC Berkeley Herbert
Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science.

This conference trip was supported by the Division of Undergraduate
Education and the Pre-Professional Advising Center.

HESA welcomed 225 students Summer 2025

Over the summer, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) welcomed a new cohort
of 225 HESA students who got a head start on their coursework at UCR!
Students became engaged with different activities and met with their Peer
Educators to facilitate the transition into UCR.
Academic Resource Center prepares for student success
The Academic Resource Center held their planning meeting this September to
talk about *department highlights and the work that lies ahead*. They also
discussed common themes with the current student population and their goals
for the next year. With their student focused support, they have geared up
for this new upcoming academic year and ready to welcome students back to
campus.

Kessler Scholars celebrated Cohort 3 with Coin Ceremony
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, *the Kessler Scholars program welcomed Cohort
3 at their annual Coin Ceremony*. *The Kessler Scholars Coin signals a
student’s membership in a community that reaches not only across the room
and across the UCR campus, but to 15 other colleges and universities across
the country who, together, make up the Kessler Scholars Collaborative*. To
celebrate the night, they had a few Kessler Scholars from Cohorts 1 and 2
share some inspiring words with Cohort 3. Associate Provost Ken Barenklau,
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education, Dr. Louie Rodriguez, and
Associate Dean, Dr. Bob Ream, shared empowering remarks about being
First-Gen at UCR and encouraged students to make the most of their time at
UCR.

UCDC students who resilience amidst government shutdown

The Fall internship cycle in Washington, D.C. is a key experiential
learning opportunity for UCR students. This year, our UCDC cohort faces an
unexpected challenge: a federal government shutdown. Many students, despite
securing placements in government and non-profit sectors, have seen their
internships suspended, reduced, or made unpaid, particularly on Capitol
Hill and in federal agencies. This has caused significant stress and
financial uncertainty. We estimate that 40 to 50 UC students have been
affected.

In response, the UCDC team acted quickly to maintain a secure and
meaningful experience for students. *They assured students there will be no
academic penalty for missed internship hours due to the shutdown, easing
academic concerns*. Students have been asked to participate in structured
enrichment, including coursework, networking, exploring D.C.'s cultural
sites, and special events with notable guest speakers, such as John
Lawrence, a longtime UCDC instructor and former Chief of Staff to Nancy
Pelosi.

Recognizing the financial strain from delayed or lost compensation, UCDC
reaffirmed its commitment to student support. *The Subsidizing Unpaid
Interns Program (SUIP), which offers up to $1,000 for unpaid or underpaid
placements, along with other scholarships, has provided essential stability*.
This support allows students to focus on their education without added
financial hardship.

Students have shown remarkable resilience, adapting quickly and finding
value despite the disruption. Juana May Manal, interning at Gen-Z Emerging
Technology Action (ZETA) reported “Unfortunately, due to the government
shutdown, we couldn't go inside the Capitol Building, but I have been
inside to listen to public hearings! I also get to go inside the House of
Representatives and Senate buildings to meet with Senators and Reps! This
past Tuesday, I was lucky enough to have a one-on-one meeting with Senator
Bernie Sanders!”

The Fall 2025 UCDC cohort has gained valuable professional experience and
developed the essential D.C. skill of navigating disruption. We commend
their tenacity and the UCDC team's dedicated support in ensuring a
successful term, regardless of the political climate.

*Applications for the Spring and Summer are still open. Students interested
in participating are encouraged to apply by November 3rd*.

For questions, please contact Danielle White (dwhite at ucr.edu).
Chancellor's Research Fellows inspire UCR Board of Trustees

*Congratulations to Gladis Herrera-Berkowitz and the Chancellor’s Research
Fellows for representing the Chancellor’s Research Fellowship (CRF) and the
impact of undergraduate research at the UCR Board of Trustees’ October
meeting.* During the session, the Fellows shared powerful reflections on
how the CRF has shaped their academic journeys and professional development.

The presenters included Senior Chancellor’s Research Fellows:

*Nicole D’Souza (Neuroscience), Janna Soliman (Biochemistry), and Sreenidhi
Surineni (Neuroscience), and CRF alumna Anzie Pyo*, who is now pursuing her
Ph.D. in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology at UCR.

Janna Soliman reflected, “Today I can say that being a scientist is a big
part of my personal identity. The Chancellor’s Research Fellowship played a
crucial role in helping me build that confidence. Through the support of
CRF leadership, including Gladis, I’ve applied for competitive
opportunities and grown tremendously as a researcher.”

Nicole D’Souza added, “If I had to describe the Chancellor’s Research
Fellowship, I’d use three words: ambitious, collaborative, and
transformative.”

Sreenidhi Surineni shared, “CRF made me a better researcher, but it also
made me a more reliable collaborator and builder. That momentum and
accountability pushed me to aim higher — including applying to prestigious
awards like the Barry Goldwater, Rhodes, Marshall, and Gates Cambridge
scholarships.”

Their remarks underscored the profound impact of the CRF in nurturing
leadership, collaboration, and scholarly excellence among UCR’s
undergraduate researchers.

*“Their dedication and passion for undergraduate research truly embody the
spirit of the program,”* said Gladis Herrera-Berkowitz. *“I couldn’t be
prouder of this remarkable group of students.”*
Ambassadors of Impact: CUREL's Newest Team Elevates Student Engagement

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Engaged Learning (CUREL) is
pleased to announce the *newest cohort of CUREL Ambassadors*, a team
committed to increasing student awareness and participation in High-Impact
Practices (HIPS). These students serve as peer mentors and leaders to
support student success.

This year's team of 15 ambassadors, including several Chancellor Research
Fellows, is setting a new standard for peer leadership on campus. *They are
actively connecting students with CUREL's transformative learning
opportunities, such as undergraduate research, internships, and
service-learning.*

The ambassadors have already made a strong impact by representing CUREL at
several major campus events, including:

   - The DUE Resource Fair
   - The Career Center’s Career and Internship Fair
   - The Housing Scare Faire
   - The UCR Transfer Empowerment Day

The team's success is strengthened by returning ambassadors Sawyer Kumar,
Perishan Cai, and Keyanna-Milenia Pinzon, who now serve as a leadership
core, guiding the new cohort with their experience and insight.

*“We look forward to expanding this program to involve more events and
getting students invigorated to participate in programs on campus!”* said
Sawyer, who is the team’s President and also a CRF.

The ambassadors' efforts are producing strong results. Since September, the
team has engaged over 250 students, connecting them with resources and
information about how to participate in HIPS. This early outreach
highlights the value of peer mentorship in making resources accessible to
students.

The CUREL Ambassadors are becoming an essential resource. We encourage you
to support their efforts to foster a more engaged and thriving
undergraduate community.

To request an ambassador for your next event or to host a workshop, please
contact Danielle White at dwhite at ucr.edu.
UCR Students Building Career Confidence Through EXCEL+

UCR students are taking the next step in their professional growth through
EXCEL+, a program that helps them track and demonstrate their career
readiness skills.

EXCEL+ encourages students to reflect on how their academic and
co-curricular experiences strengthen key areas such as Career and
Self-Development, Leadership, Communication, and Technology. Students can
log activities through the EXCEL+ Canvas page and earn digital badges they
can share on LinkedIn or include on resumes.

*EXCEL+ Snapshot*

   - Recent data shows students are actively developing the skills that
   matter most:
   - Career & Self-Development: 38% increased participation
   - Technology: 23% increased participation
   - Leadership: 9% increased participation

Participation has been strongest among students from CHASS (38%) and
Engineering (27%), with others from CNAS, Business, Education, and Public
Policy also engaging in the program.

*What Students Are Saying*

Students who have completed EXCEL+ activities describe how the program
helps them connect their coursework and experiences to career growth:

   - “Completing LinkedIn Learning courses helped me communicate my
   experience more confidently in interviews.”
   - “Taking part in leadership activities gave me the chance to apply
   teamwork and service skills in meaningful ways.”

Sign up at excel.ucr.edu
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