[Orgvpdue] DUE JUNE/JULY 2026 Spotlights

Wed Aug 12 09:59:25 PDT 2026

*Division of Undergraduate Education June/July Spotlights*
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.

*Charlie Scruggs Honored with the "Staff Who Make a Difference" Award *

The Executive Board of the UC Riverside Staff Assembly recently honored
Charlie Scruggs, director of the Pre-Professional Advising Center
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/ppac.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiT1pqQ01rSjdWbUJSZTZ5enBNekIySWg2Z2ZvIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3BwYWMudWNyLmVkdVxcXC9cIixcImlkXCI6XCJmMGZlN2UyODIxYzM0OGNkYmMzNDllMGM2YTQxNWRlMVwiLFwidXJsX2lkc1wiOltcImZlOTdmZWIwZTY3N2RlODliNzVjMGJhZWViMzJkZmZhMjE3MDJlNGRcIl0sXCJtc2dfdHNcIjoxNzg2NTUzNDg2fSJ9>,
with the "Staff Who Make a Difference" award. Presented by Chancellor S.
Jack Hu at the Outstanding Staff Awards gathering on June 11, 2026. The
award recognizes Charlie’s deep commitment to student success and his
exceptional dedication to the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) and
the broader campus community.

Since joining UC Riverside in 2014, Charlie has served as a leading expert
on pre-professional pathways. In 2025, he helped guide DUE expansion and
rebranding of the Health Professions Advising Center into the
Pre-Professional Advising Center (PPAC). By integrating both health and law
pathways
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/ppac.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiT3FnTWZJNlR3YVdtb0hvNGtWZHUyMzFPczJFIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3BwYWMudWNyLmVkdVxcXC9wcmUtbGF3LWFkdmlzaW5nXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZjBmZTdlMjgyMWMzNDhjZGJjMzQ5ZTBjNmE0MTVkZTFcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCI1ODk0YzQ3NzZjMTRhNjJkYzk2NGRmNjQzZDQ5YzAwNWFlODVmZTJmXCJdLFwibXNnX3RzXCI6MTc4NjU1MzQ4Nn0ifQ>,
it became the first center of its kind in the University of California
system. As Director, Charlie oversees campus-wide pre-professional advising
and specialized programming, ensuring Highlanders aiming for health
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/ppac.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiZ2JSWTA3aHhrbllYMEpEdmctb0phTGxMYzJNIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3BwYWMudWNyLmVkdVxcXC9oZWFsdGgtY2FyZWVyc1wiLFwiaWRcIjpcImYwZmU3ZTI4MjFjMzQ4Y2RiYzM0OWUwYzZhNDE1ZGUxXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiMzQ2MjAxN2E5NDk0MTY1NTczOWY4YjBkM2M2MzY4N2U4OGMzZDllMVwiXSxcIm1zZ190c1wiOjE3ODY1NTM0ODZ9In0>or
law careers have the dedicated resources and high-impact experiences needed
to navigate complex admissions systems and enter these vital careers in
public service.

With over twenty years of higher education experience, Charlie is a
respected leader in pre-health and pre-law advising whose influence extends
far beyond our campus. As the immediate past president of the Western
Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (WAAHP), he recently
hosted the organization’s 2025 biennial conference, significantly elevating
UCR’s national profile. Partnering closely with DUE and CHASS leadership
and faculty, Charlie is now co-leading a major collaboration with the
Hispanic National Bar Association to launch a pre-law conference at UCR in
October 2026.

Beyond his administrative achievements, Charlie is a tireless advocate for
student success who embodies UCR’s mission of social mobility.  His expert
mentorship helps ensure the next generation of health and law professionals
has the guidance and resources to succeed in highly competitive fields.
*Deisy Vaca Takes Systemwide Leadership Role **in* *Academic Advising*

The University of California Undergraduate Academic Advising Council
(UCUAAC) has elected Deisy Vaca, Assistant Director of Student Success at UCR's
School of Public Policy
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/spp.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoieU5SMG1VTllOYUM2U0FRMjJxeVpYdlhuNVRJIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3NwcC51Y3IuZWR1XFxcL1wiLFwiaWRcIjpcImYwZmU3ZTI4MjFjMzQ4Y2RiYzM0OWUwYzZhNDE1ZGUxXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiMGQxNmNmMGY2ZGM2ZGY1YjVhY2UzMTdmNGJkOGIwZWUwOGQ1NjcyN1wiXSxcIm1zZ190c1wiOjE3ODY1NTM0ODZ9In0>,
as its next Vice Chair.

Starting August 31, 2026, Deisy will begin a two-year leadership track,
serving first as Vice Chair before automatically becoming Chair next year.
In this system-wide leadership role, Deisy will advocate for the future of
academic advising across all nine UC undergraduate campuses.

For Deisy—a first-generation college student
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/firstgen.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiVWpmR3ZWd3EyUWVQbldwQVc1c3BaLXk5aHhZIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2ZpcnN0Z2VuLnVjci5lZHVcXFwvXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZjBmZTdlMjgyMWMzNDhjZGJjMzQ5ZTBjNmE0MTVkZTFcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCJkMDFkNTEyNDBhOGQ0MTkzZTk5ZTMyNzM5ZGExZDc1MmUxMjk0OWViXCJdLFwibXNnX3RzXCI6MTc4NjU1MzQ4Nn0ifQ>
who began her career as a student advising assistant at UCR's Marlan &
Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering—the role is a true full-circle
moment. After gaining valuable experience managing advising programs at UC
Irvine, she returned to UCR in 2018 to establish the university’s first
Peer Academic Advising Program, creating a culture of peer support that
continues to grow and guide UCR students today. As Vice Chair, she will be
partnering with current UCUAAC Chair Danielle Primavera, a former colleague
from her time advising at UC Irvine. Together, they aim to leverage the
group's shared expertise to foster a more connected and collaborative
professional community across the UC system.

"I want to focus on strengthening our collective advocacy," Deisy shared,
"so advisors across every campus have a stronger voice in shaping student
success."

The appointment comes at an exciting time for the campus: UCR is set to
host the next UC Academic Advising Conference from April 26 to 28, 2027,
focusing on the theme: "Advisors on a Mission: Cultivating Student Mobility
through Academic Advising."

For Deisy, bringing the conference to UCR is an opportunity to showcase her
alma mater's unique strengths. Her election ensures the university remains
at the forefront of empowering students and elevating the vital role of
academic advising professionals across the UC system.
*Rewrite/Rebuild Student Symposium *

On June 3, 2026, seven UWP faculty members and their students showcased a
dynamic range of work at the Spring Symposium. By holding the event during
overlapping class times, faculty made participation a seamless, core part
of the curriculum. Student presenters displayed original articles,
photography, videography, and comics published in *The Highlander*
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/www.highlandernews.org?p=eyJzIjoiSE4ySXNxVnNoLUI5VmppdzNqRTNsdTlDbWRvIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5oaWdobGFuZGVybmV3cy5vcmdcXFwvXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZjBmZTdlMjgyMWMzNDhjZGJjMzQ5ZTBjNmE0MTVkZTFcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCJhZWE5NGZjMmFmZTA0N2Q0MDJjOWQ2YzYyNWVkNWJiOTVmNTY2NWFjXCJdLFwibXNnX3RzXCI6MTc4NjU1MzQ4Nn0ifQ>,
alongside contributions to the UWP anthology *Seeds*. Highlights from the
event included campus improvement pitches, career-field analyses, monologue
performances, poetry, and creative visual projects centered on culture and
identity.
*Center for Undergraduate Research & Engaged Learning (CUREL)*
The Center for Undergraduate Research & Engaged Learning
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/ue.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiSEV3dE85RjA5aGxWcUk2Q2FZeW5FVWlEV2xrIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3VlLnVjci5lZHVcXFwvdW5pdHNcXFwvY3VyZWxcIixcImlkXCI6XCJmMGZlN2UyODIxYzM0OGNkYmMzNDllMGM2YTQxNWRlMVwiLFwidXJsX2lkc1wiOltcImY2ZTdjNjc1MjJiN2QwMGIzMWVmMWQ1MzE5MWE4NzRiZTU5NTQzM2VcIl0sXCJtc2dfdHNcIjoxNzg2NTUzNDg2fSJ9>
(CUREL) recently hosted its 20th Annual Undergraduate Research & Creative
Activities Symposium
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/engage.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiY2J5Y2JLdDFKTHRONmZOME9ienZDTFBmUl9JIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2VuZ2FnZS51Y3IuZWR1XFxcL3Jlc2VhcmNoXFxcL3N5bXBvc2l1bVwiLFwiaWRcIjpcImYwZmU3ZTI4MjFjMzQ4Y2RiYzM0OWUwYzZhNDE1ZGUxXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiNjk2OWQ2OTY4Y2ExYTA2NTdmZjhmMWQ4NzcwYjFmMjYxYTM3ZDVjNlwiXSxcIm1zZ190c1wiOjE3ODY1NTM0ODZ9In0>
from April 21–24, 2026. Aligned with CUREL’s mission to empower students as
leaders, engaged global citizens, and lifelong learners, the Symposium
provided a vibrant platform for undergraduates across all disciplines to
share their work through oral presentations, poster sessions, art exhibits,
performances, and electronic media.

Thanks to the incredible support of our campus community, this year’s event
was our largest Symposium to date, featuring:

   - 487 student presenters
   - over 600 attendees
   - College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) leading the charge
   at 49.1% participation, followed by the College of Humanities, Arts, and
   Social Sciences (CHASS) at 29.2%
   - Poster presentations made up the majority of the event at 69% of
   presentations. Among the oral presentations, 13.9% focused on Emerging
   Research, 12.2% on Completed Research, and 5% on Creative Activities,
   reflecting fantastic growth in creative submissions compared to last year

The Rivera Library continued its excellent support by co-hosting a
specialized poster preparation workshop. A special thank you goes to
Student Success and Engagement Librarian Carrie Cruce for leading the
session and providing dedicated one-on-one consultations. Next, Power of
the Peers (POP) stepped up in a huge way by directly covering printing
costs for several students' posters.  With financial suupport from Research
and Economic Development (RED) and the individual Colleges, students
selected for Best Poster and Best Oral Presentations received well-deserved
monetary awards. You can view the full list of our 2026 awardees here
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/drive.google.com?p=eyJzIjoiQjdTTW5ITWNlQ2RobkduUnliT243c09LcVFRIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2RyaXZlLmdvb2dsZS5jb21cXFwvZmlsZVxcXC9kXFxcLzFQd0NOQjRiM1FFcEVqaGVFdTloM184YW9abml6alRvMlxcXC92aWV3P3VzcD1zaGFyaW5nXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZjBmZTdlMjgyMWMzNDhjZGJjMzQ5ZTBjNmE0MTVkZTFcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCI0NThkZGViYWE4ODQzZjJiNDQ1OTViZTZkNjg2Mjg1ODc2OTg3NDc3XCJdLFwibXNnX3RzXCI6MTc4NjU1MzQ4Nn0ifQ>.
A huge thank you to all of the staff, faculty, and students whose
dedication, mentorship, and logistical support made this signature event a
resounding success. We are already looking forward to next year, so please
save the date for the 21st Annual Symposium: April 26th – 30th, 2027.
*The UCR Undergraduate Research Journal Turns 20!*

The UCR Undergraduate Research Journal
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/engage.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoidS1HSEUtMXRFeElsSlNNSmh3ZmE2YW1NbHg0IiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2VuZ2FnZS51Y3IuZWR1XFxcL3Jlc2VhcmNoXFxcL2pvdXJuYWxcIixcImlkXCI6XCJmMGZlN2UyODIxYzM0OGNkYmMzNDllMGM2YTQxNWRlMVwiLFwidXJsX2lkc1wiOltcImViNGNiZDliNDY5MzdhYTZhMWJjYjcwMDhmYmZkYjU1ZWY0NTgzMzZcIl0sXCJtc2dfdHNcIjoxNzg2NTUzNDg2fSJ9>
Turns 20! The 20th volume of the UCR Undergraduate Research Journal was
published this spring and featured articles from 17 student authors. The
Student Editorial Board and Faculty Advisory Board worked diligently to
review and select articles on topics ranging from treatments for bacterial
biofilms to the impact of smoke on hummingbird lungs to translation gaps
between Korean and English language.

The Journal’s cover (pictured above) was unveiled at a celebration on June
5, 2026. The cover features sunflowers photographed at the UCR Agricultural
Operations Center
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/agops.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiLVRYaG9RM3NfbmhvRFpmLVVMZDhGaVdKYjZrIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2Fnb3BzLnVjci5lZHVcXFwvXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZjBmZTdlMjgyMWMzNDhjZGJjMzQ5ZTBjNmE0MTVkZTFcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCIxN2E2YzFiMDkwNTgzZTJmMjQyNDAwMTRiN2ExZTc0MWZlOWIyZTdiXCJdLFwibXNnX3RzXCI6MTc4NjU1MzQ4Nn0ifQ>
and which are part of research on how plants adapt to their local
environments. To celebrate the 20th volume, Dr. Jennifer Kavetsky and
members of the Student Editorial Board reached out to alumni who
participated in the Journal over the last 20 years. We heard back from over
100 student editors and authors who shared updates about their personal and
professional lives.

Highlights include: Paul Jacques, who was a student editor on the first
volume of the Journal and now is a Professor of Theater; Michelle (Murphy)
Mariscal, who published an article in the 2009 issue and is now an
ecologist at Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority; Geoffrey
Pronovost, who served as a student editor in 2015 and 2016 and now is a
Senior Scientist at a biotech company, and Camila Reyes, who published an
article in the 2020 issue and is now Ph.D. candidate in English at USC.
Updates from even more of our alumni can be found in the digital edition of
the Journal available on our website:
https://engage.ucr.edu/research/journal
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/engage.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoidS1HSEUtMXRFeElsSlNNSmh3ZmE2YW1NbHg0IiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2VuZ2FnZS51Y3IuZWR1XFxcL3Jlc2VhcmNoXFxcL2pvdXJuYWxcIixcImlkXCI6XCJmMGZlN2UyODIxYzM0OGNkYmMzNDllMGM2YTQxNWRlMVwiLFwidXJsX2lkc1wiOltcImViNGNiZDliNDY5MzdhYTZhMWJjYjcwMDhmYmZkYjU1ZWY0NTgzMzZcIl0sXCJtc2dfdHNcIjoxNzg2NTUzNDg2fSJ9>

*EXCEL+ Reaches 2,000 + Students and Growing*

Through collaborations with campus partners, EXCEL+
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/excel.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoidWg2eVl1Y2tpZ0d2S0FfYzJ5dWNJaktmZmlnIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2V4Y2VsLnVjci5lZHVcXFwvXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZjBmZTdlMjgyMWMzNDhjZGJjMzQ5ZTBjNmE0MTVkZTFcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCIwY2E0ZTAxMDgzZmVkNzdlYmVmMGZlOGI3MDBlMTc5NWU4YzNmOGY2XCJdLFwibXNnX3RzXCI6MTc4NjU1MzQ4Nn0ifQ>
has
successfully enrolled over 2,000 students. By the end of the 25/26 academic
year, students in EXCEL+ earned more than 120 digital badges recognizing
career readiness skills aligned with the NACE competencies. As we look
ahead to the upcoming academic year, EXCEL+ is excited to continue
expanding partnerships across campus.

If your department or program offers experiences that help students develop
career-ready skills, we’d appreciate the opportunity to explore how they
can connect with the EXCEL+ program. To streamline the process, we have
developed tools and made improvements based on student feedback to help
students recognize how your programming helps them develop career-ready
skills. Our next goal is to grow from serving approximately 2,000 students
to more than 4,000 through expanded campus partnerships—making career
readiness recognition available to even more students across all majors,
learning communities, and cohorts. Interested in learning more? Contact
Larry Rodriguez at larryrod at ucr.edu to schedule a presentation or
conversation about partnering with EXCEL+.

*Pre-Professional Advising Center (PPAC)*

Charlie Scruggs, Director of the Pre-Professional Advising Center
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/ppac.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiT1pqQ01rSjdWbUJSZTZ5enBNekIySWg2Z2ZvIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3BwYWMudWNyLmVkdVxcXC9cIixcImlkXCI6XCJmMGZlN2UyODIxYzM0OGNkYmMzNDllMGM2YTQxNWRlMVwiLFwidXJsX2lkc1wiOltcImZlOTdmZWIwZTY3N2RlODliNzVjMGJhZWViMzJkZmZhMjE3MDJlNGRcIl0sXCJtc2dfdHNcIjoxNzg2NTUzNDg2fSJ9>
participated in the National Association of Advisors for the Health
Professions (NAAHP) Biennial Conference June 24-27, 2026 in New Orleans,
LA. This year’s conference theme was: Feed Your Mind and Feed Your Soul. In
attendance at the biennial conference were 1500+ pre-health advisors,
faculty, and health professions admissions deans from across the country.
Charlie co-presented with colleagues in two sessions. 'Fostering Growth:
How Advisors and Medical Schools Partner to Support Premedical Students'.
This session looked at applicant to medical school admission data –
highlighting Growth (vs. Gap) years in undergraduate degree to medical
school matriculation. Data presented showed that many students who take one
to two additional years to prepare and apply to medical school are accepted
at a slightly higher rate when demonstrating significant experiences in
areas such as clinical, research and community service.

Presenters represented – UC Riverside
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/www.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiTENIWGprOFZ6Z0psemVqY0laVEFpb01NUEQwIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy51Y3IuZWR1XFxcL1wiLFwiaWRcIjpcImYwZmU3ZTI4MjFjMzQ4Y2RiYzM0OWUwYzZhNDE1ZGUxXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiYzBhNzE1NDJlODg0YWExYjYyZDM3OTRjNDhiMzQxMzI5ZDQ5MzAwNVwiXSxcIm1zZ190c1wiOjE3ODY1NTM0ODZ9In0>,
University of Cincinnati, Appalachian State University and the University
of Vermont College of Medicine. Charlie also co-led 'Measuring What
Matters: Reframing Merit in Medical Education' – a session with admissions
deans from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, the University of
Vermont School of Medicine, and the Association of American Medical
Colleges (AAMC) engaging with pre-health advisors regarding the current
definition and formula for ‘merit’ and how change is happening across the
country as medical schools continue to refine their approach to recruitment
and accepting future physicians.

*Pre-Law Advising Staff Present Work at Regional Conference*

LA Edwards, Pre-Law Advisor
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/ppac.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiT3FnTWZJNlR3YVdtb0hvNGtWZHUyMzFPczJFIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3BwYWMudWNyLmVkdVxcXC9wcmUtbGF3LWFkdmlzaW5nXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZjBmZTdlMjgyMWMzNDhjZGJjMzQ5ZTBjNmE0MTVkZTFcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCI1ODk0YzQ3NzZjMTRhNjJkYzk2NGRmNjQzZDQ5YzAwNWFlODVmZTJmXCJdLFwibXNnX3RzXCI6MTc4NjU1MzQ4Nn0ifQ>,
Charlie Scruggs, Director, Pre-Professional Advising Center
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/ppac.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiT1pqQ01rSjdWbUJSZTZ5enBNekIySWg2Z2ZvIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3BwYWMudWNyLmVkdVxcXC9cIixcImlkXCI6XCJmMGZlN2UyODIxYzM0OGNkYmMzNDllMGM2YTQxNWRlMVwiLFwidXJsX2lkc1wiOltcImZlOTdmZWIwZTY3N2RlODliNzVjMGJhZWViMzJkZmZhMjE3MDJlNGRcIl0sXCJtc2dfdHNcIjoxNzg2NTUzNDg2fSJ9>,
and CHASS
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/chass.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiMHpaZUZHZjlfOXU0cGRReW9mMzh2UGU3QzdNIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2NoYXNzLnVjci5lZHVcXFwvXCIsXCJpZFwiOlwiZjBmZTdlMjgyMWMzNDhjZGJjMzQ5ZTBjNmE0MTVkZTFcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCJjNDJkMGJmMjdiNDljOGYyNTc3Yzk5YmE1OGQ1YmIzMGFhMDA2MDUzXCJdLFwibXNnX3RzXCI6MTc4NjU1MzQ4Nn0ifQ>Dean
Daryle Williams attended the Pacific Coast Association of Pre-Law Advisors
Regional Conference May 31- June 3, 2026 in Seattle, WA. This year’s theme:
Justice in a Changing World: Technology, Equity, and the Rule of Law. LA
and Charlie presented, "Developing a Student Pre-Law Ambassador Program" to
pre-law advisors interested in developing a pre-law ambassador program into
their advising support structure.

During the conference pre-law advisors and law school admissions
representatives participated in a variety of sessions specific to
preparing, supporting students who have interest in pursing a career in
law. The University of Washington School of Law, Seattle University School
of Law and Gonzaga School of Law all served as hosts for the conference.
While in Seattle, Dean Williams and Charlie connected with UCR alumni to
hear about their journeys post-college graduation and discussed ideas how
UCR can serve students interested in law, legal careers, and how to support
Law & Society – an academic program in CHASS.
*R’Excellence*
Among the many R’Courses available to students during the academic year,
UGRD 010: R’Excellence
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/ue.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiS0Yzb3RDcXFmOTFWeWVYVG9GUU1UdDMtZW1vIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3VlLnVjci5lZHVcXFwvY291cnNlc1xcXC9yZXhjZWxsZW5jZVwiLFwiaWRcIjpcImYwZmU3ZTI4MjFjMzQ4Y2RiYzM0OWUwYzZhNDE1ZGUxXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiYjM3YWUyOTE0OTRlOGFjM2ZiZmI5ZWFjZDRlMjE2ODhmZTdmMWRiZlwiXSxcIm1zZ190c1wiOjE3ODY1NTM0ODZ9In0>
stands out as a course that provides insightful and encouraging
experiences. This in-person course is designed to introduce students to the
research community at UCR and to emphasize the university's role as an R1
institution. By connecting students to faculty and their research, the
course encourages students to see themselves not just as learners but as
active participants in an academic community.

A dinner with Dr. Louie Rodridguez, faculty, and advisors was held for UGRD
010 students. This allows students to share their thoughts and discuss
their experiences with each other.  Additionaly, students were invited to a
dedicated boba event with Dr. Rodriguez. This gathering offered students a
relaxed space where they could network with Dr. Rodriguez, voice their
views on undergraduate education, and build connections that go beyond the
course.

*ADT Brings Together Over 100 UC Teaching Professors at UCR*

Dr. Annie Ditta is co-chair of the Academy of Distinguished Teaching
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/academyteachers.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiQzd4ZlBzQzJ1Z1dwNFNrOUlCaHc3aUJhMVRvIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2FjYWRlbXl0ZWFjaGVycy51Y3IuZWR1XFxcL1wiLFwiaWRcIjpcImYwZmU3ZTI4MjFjMzQ4Y2RiYzM0OWUwYzZhNDE1ZGUxXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiY2Q2OWQxNjUyNGIwMDUwOWFkNDZlYjg1YTE1MTUyMzFmZmNjYzNlMFwiXSxcIm1zZ190c1wiOjE3ODY1NTM0ODZ9In0>
(ADT) and a faculty member in the psychology department. This June, there
was a two-day conference at the Alumni & Visitors Center at UC Riverside.
The UC Teaching Professor Network (TPN) brought together *105 new and
experienced Professors of Teaching* from the nine undergraduate-serving UC
campuses (plus one Professor of Teaching (PoT) from another university
system!).

The first day included a Keynote Speech by Lalo Gonzalez (UCSB), eleven
talks, a lunchtime poster session, four concurrent workshops, and a
conference dinner. The second day included a discipline-based networking
breakfast, a “birds of a feather”-style workshop session about integrating
AI use into instruction, and five additional sessions.

The conference facilitated knowledge transfer about innovative teaching
practices, built community, and provided networking spaces for PoTs. A
recurring theme throughout the conference was the evolving role of
Professors of Teaching as leaders in educational innovation and
institutional transformation.

Participants also discussed how to uphold academic excellence while
responding to changing student needs, evolving technologies, and resource
constraints. The group emphasized that collaboration across disciplines and
campuses is essential for developing effective, scalable, and sustainable
solutions that advance student success across the University of California.
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reserved.*

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