April 8, 2026
Irvine, Calif. — The University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) Graduate Division has received a catalytic gift from the Connor Family to support and expand the university’s Accelerate to Industry (A2i) program. The commitment designates the Connor Family as the Founding Title Sponsor for the 2026 – 2027 and 2027- 2028 academic years.
Through this investment, the program will be formally recognized as the UCI Accelerate to Industry (A2i) Program—Presented by the Connor Family for the next two academic years. It will significantly enhance opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to explore and prepare for careers in industry.
The A2i program is a cornerstone initiative that connects graduate scholars with real-world career pathways through hands-on professional development, industry partnerships, and immersive learning experiences. With more than 40 industry collaborators and campuswide partnerships, A2i equips students with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to transition successfully from academia into the workforce.
“A2i represents exactly the kind of forward-looking approach needed to help graduate students thrive beyond academia,” said Jay Connor. “I’m excited to support a program that equips scholars with the skills, confidence, and connections to put their work into practice and make a meaningful impact.”
The Connor Family’s gift will support a robust portfolio of programming, including the annual A2i Industry Immersion Conference, company site visits, career development workshops, and the highly anticipated Grad Slam competition series. These initiatives provide students with opportunities to engage directly with industry leaders, develop business-ready skills, and communicate the broader impact of their research.
A highlight of the sponsorship includes the Grad Slam Season Suite of Events—Presented by the Connor Family, culminating in the campuswide finals competition where top graduate scholars present their research in three-minute talks designed for a general audience. The program fosters communication skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and meaningful connections with professionals across sectors.
“The Connor Family’s support accelerates the Graduate Division’s vision to redefine what graduate success looks like in today’s world, “said Jaymi Smith, Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Education. “Through programs like A2i, we are creating forward-looking opportunities that prepare our students to lead, innovate, and make an impact far beyond academia.”
In addition to financial support, the Connor Family will play an active role in shaping the program’s future through thought partnership with university leadership, further strengthening the bridge between academic training and industry innovation.
The expanded A2i programming will continue to serve both STEM and non-STEM disciplines, ensuring that all UC Irvine graduate scholars have access to high-quality career preparation resources and industry engagement opportunities.
About the UCI Accelerate to Industry (A2i) Program
The Accelerate to Industry (A2i) program at the University of California, Irvine Graduate Division is a professional development initiative designed to prepare graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for success in industry-facing careers. Through experiential learning, employer engagement, and skills training, A2i bridges the gap between academic research and workforce readiness.
About the University of California, Irvine
Founded in 1965, the University of California, Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities by U.S. News & World Report. UCI has produced five Nobel laureates and is recognized for its academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and innovation. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI enrolls more than 36,000 students across 224 degree programs. Located in one of the nation’s safest and most economically vibrant regions, UCI is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more information, visit www.uci.edu.
About Jay Connor’s Book – Talking Together
When Joseph A. “Jay” Connor and his wife, Carol McDonald Connor, first met in Chicago in the 1970s, they were two young professionals bonded by their aspiration for meaningful work and impact. Three children, two careers, and countless conversations later, they launched a shared effort to help every child in America learn to read by the end of third grade. Using Carol’s rigorously tested and proven technology that enables teachers to individualize reading instruction, their company worked with schools to turn thousands of students across the nation into proficient readers. Carol was an intricate part of the UC Irvine community, as she served as a Chancellor’s Professor in the School of Education for nearly six years. In 2022, after Carol’s untimely death from cancer, Jay sold the technology to Scholastic, which had the resources and reach to continue the Connors’ mission.
In this first-person account of their inspiring journey—illustrated by another of Carol’s creative pursuits, the fine arts—Jay honors their lifelong love affair and Carol’s groundbreaking research, transforming their perpetual conversation into a lasting legacy. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.