Graduate Division Dean's Update: 12/10/25

Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars,

As this quarter comes to a close, I want to pause and acknowledge the depth of work you have carried, the persistence you have shown, and the care it takes to keep showing up in complex and demanding spaces. This season has required focus, adaptability, and no small amount of quiet courage. I see that in you.

Whether this quarter stretched you through research milestones, coursework, teaching, clinical work, lab deadlines, creative production, or simply the daily work of staying steady, I hope you take a moment to recognize what you moved through and what you made possible. Progress is not always loud. Often it is built through steady, unseen effort. And that effort matters.

Before you sprint into whatever comes next, two gentle reminders. First, drink some water. Many of you are dangerously overcaffeinated, and I say that with love. Second, give yourself permission to recharge. Even a small pocket of rest counts. Staring at a wall for ten minutes is a valid recovery strategy. So is sleep.

If the weeks ahead bring rest, I hope it is real rest. If they continue to bring work, I hope it is gentler than what came before. Wherever you land between those two, I hope you find moments of grounding, connection, and breath.

Thank you for the seriousness with which you take your scholarship, for the generosity with which you support one another, and for the many ways you contribute to the life of this campus. It is an honor to serve this community.

Upcoming office hours for the next two weeks are listed below. They are first come, first serve:  https://uci.zoom.us/j/7277477

Friday, December 12 – 1 pm PT
Tuesday, December 16 – Noon PT

Now on to the rest of this week’s events and opportunities:

ATTENTION: Student Direct Deposit Fraud Phishing Attacks
There is an active phishing campaign targeting UC Irvine students. Bad actors are attempting to steal financial aid refunds and disbursements by gaining unauthorized access to student accounts.

Current Threats – Be Alert for These Tactics

Attackers are sending phishing emails with the following themes:

  1. Dropped from class notifications
  2. Changes to your class schedule
  3. Grade notifications
  4. Course schedule validation requests

See latest phishing examples

Remember, do NOT click on links from emails or non-UCI hosted webpages and forms. For information about your class enrollment, course schedule, grades, and other information go directly to UCI’s StudentAccess and/or Canvas websites.

Please report anything that looks “phishy” immediately to security@uci.edu

How the Scam Works

  1. You receive an email (often using URL shorteners and sites like Weebly.com or tilda.ws)
  2. The email directs you to a fake form (Google or Office Forms)
  3. The form asks for your:
    • Name and email address
    • Password (UCI NEVER asks for your password via email or forms)
    • Date of birth
    • Phone number
  1. You may receive an SMS text message asking you to approve a Duo prompt
  2. Once approved, attackers access your email, Student Access portal, ZotAccount, and DEFT system to change your direct deposit information

Protect Yourself

  • NEVER provide your password through email links or online forms
  • NEVER approve Duo push notifications you didn’t initiate
  • VERIFY any communication about grades, classes, or financial aid by logging directly into official UCI portals
  • CHECK your DEFT direct deposit information regularly
  • REPORT suspicious emails immediately to security@uci.edu

If You Believe You’ve Been Compromised

  1. Change your UCINetID password immediately
  2. Check your DEFT direct deposit settings at the official UCI portal
  3. Contact UCI OIT Security (security@uci.edu) and Financial Services immediately

See other general tips to avoid phishing.

For assistance, contact UCI Office of Information Technology or visit the official UCI websites directly.

Apply to Grad Slam Today!
Application Deadline is January 11th at Midnight
Click Here to Apply
Grad Slam is UC Irvine’s annual, systemwide competition where graduate students deliver compelling three-minute presentations about their research—accessible to any audience. It’s a chance to build communication skills, gain visibility, and compete for cash prizes, including $6,500 for the campus champion. All finalists receive at least $500 and coaching support from Activate to Captivate. Click above to apply to compete in UC Irvine’s Grad Slam semifinals competition on February 6th, 2025.

Have questions? Contact Raslyn Rendon (rrendon@uci.edu) or visit our website for full details and the competition schedule.

The Graduate International Connection (GIC) Program is Now Accepting Applications to join the GIC Leadership Team or become a GIC Peer Mentor.
Calling all UC Irvine graduate students! Make a difference in the lives of incoming international students by joining the leadership team or becoming a peer mentor with the Graduate International Connection (GIC) program. 

You’ll have the rewarding opportunity to be a part of a program that will allow you to share your valuable experiences and insights, guide new international students through their transition to UCI, develop your leadership and communication skills, and expand your global network. Roles within GIC are flexible and primarily conducted via email during the summer. Plus, you’ll have the chance to organize or participate in engaging remote student panels, activities throughout the summer and Fall Quarter and you will receive a stipend for your participation, which can range in the amount of $950 – $1,500 (depending on your role within GIC). Your knowledge and experiences are invaluable. Help create a welcoming community for our new international graduate students by joining GIC today! 

To apply to be a GIC Peer Mentor, please click here. If you have been a GIC Peer Mentor in the past and are now interested in joining the GIC Leadership team, please click here.  

Applications due by January 25, 2026.  

UPCOMING GPSRC EVENTS FOR WINTER QUARTER

Strategic Communication for Professional Impact
Join the 5-week Strategic Communication for Professional Impact series, presented by Nancy Singer, JD.

Tuesdays, Jan 13–Feb 10 | 11:00AM–12:30PM

This high-energy, interactive course delivers practical tools to help you communicate clearly, confidently, and persuasively—even under pressure.

Highlights include:

  •     Avoiding risky writing pitfalls
  •     Communicating with decision-makers
  •     Influencing meetings and outcomes
  •     Thinking on your feet with clarity

Elevate your professional presence—one powerful conversation at a time.

 

Submit your interest here form here: https://grad-uci.12twenty.com/events/30006101286850

For questions email: A2i@uci.edu or gps-stem@uci.edu

Improv for Teaching by Activate to Captivate Certificate Program

Sessions: January 15, 22, 29, February 5

Wednesdays (Online Only) from 10–11:30am

Improv for Teaching is a 4-session interactive communication certificate program designed for UCI graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Through improv-based techniques, participants will learn to think on their feet, engage in active listening, foster collaboration, and lead dynamic classrooms with creativity and confidence.

Submit your Interest Form here: Improv for Teaching Form

New Resource: Nature Masterclasses On-Demand
UC Irvine Graduate Division, in partnership with GPS-STEM, the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, and the School of Medicine, now offers graduate students and postdocs free access to Nature Masterclasses On-Demand. These online courses, designed by Springer Nature experts, will help you sharpen your research, writing, and publishing skills.

💡 Courses cover topics such as choosing the right journal, persuasive grant writing, research integrity, and more. Certificates are available upon completion.

👉 Explore Nature Masterclasses by clicking here

Become a Mentor with UC Irvine’s Next Gen Pathways Program
Want to support incoming grad students while building your own leadership skills? The

Next Gen Pathways mentoring initiative is now recruiting mentors for the 2025–26 academic year.

This peer mentorship program connects experienced UC Irvine graduate students with new students navigating the transition into grad school—especially those who are first-gen, international, parenting, or facing hidden challenges. Mentors help with everything from research and time management to navigating campus life and offering encouragement.

✅ Flexible time commitment
✅ Matching based on shared experiences
✅ Self-paced training (~60 min)
✅ Mentorship experience for your CV

🔹 Register to mentor: uci.mentorcollective.org/register/uci-grad/mentor
🔹 Learn more: grad.uci.edu/next-gen-pathways

Your experience can make a real difference.

Division of Career Pathways Resources
Not sure what life after your Master’s degree or PhD looks like or have questions about your next career steps?

Book a 45-minute 1:1 session with the Division of Career Pathways team for personalized support—including career exploration, job or internship search strategies, resume/CV reviews, mock interviews, and more. Whether you’re considering further education, an academic path, or jumping into industry, we’re here to help you navigate your journey.

 

About our team: Dr. Jill Wells, Associate Director of Career Education, has over 25 years of experience in teaching and leadership, working with students of all ages. Before UCI, she supported graduate students and postdocs at Caltech and advised business students at USC, where she earned a dual doctorate in education and an MBA. She is eager to support graduate students at every stage of their academic and professional development. Maks Giljen, a 4th-year PhD student in clinical psychology, is a Graduate Student Peer Career Educator and passionate about guiding fellow grad students in their career planning.

Let’s connect and get you on the right track! Appointments can be booked here: https://app.joinhandshake.com/appointments

 

Take Advantage of Division of Career Pathways’ Professional Photo Booth

The Division of Career Pathways (DCP) is pleased to introduce our all-new Professional Photo Booth, a complimentary, walk-in service at the Division of Career Pathways offering FREE professional headshots for UCI students, staff, and faculty. These professional headshots are perfect for your LinkedIn/ Handshake/ Zoom profile, department website, and also works for UCI Digital ID photo requirements. 

 

Wellness and Inclusion Services

We know that getting through graduate school takes a lot of effort, so we provide support to our students along the way. Many of Graduate Division’s services can help you maintain your work/life balance. At UC Irvine, we believe that healthy Anteaters are productive Anteaters, which is why UCI Graduate Division has our counselors available for any student or postdoc who feels they need to talk with someone.

 

Services Offered: Academic support; Equity and inclusion support; Time management strategies; Tools to master effective communication skills; Strategies for navigating professional and academic expectations in graduate school; Referrals to campus services

 

Please reach out to Dr. Phong Luong (pbluong@uci.edu) directly to schedule an appointment.

  

Helpful Resources Provided by UC Irvine Libraries

Here are a few helpful links below provided by the UC Irvine Libraries. UC Irvine Libraries developed a guide to help new scholars navigate the realm of scholarship.

 

Graduate Student Research Support Guide

Digital Scholarship Services (DSS) Main Site

  • https://www.lib.uci.edu/dss
  • This site provides an overview of UC Irvine Libraries’ digital scholarship services with contact information, workshop details, and other tools and resources

DSS Programming Workshops

LibGuide on Software for Data Analysis (by Danielle Kane, Computational Research Librarian):  https://guides.lib.uci.edu/dataanalysis
Links to her other Libguides (GIS, Data Visualization):  https://guides.lib.uci.edu/prf.php?id=5952d46c-7cdb-11ed-9922-0ad758b798c3

 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 

2026 Summer Institute in Latino Humanities Studies, Methodologies, and Theories – Deadline Feb 1, 2026
 
June 12-21, 2026, Chicago, Illinois
As part of UC Irvine’s leadership in the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU), the Department of Chicano/Latino Studies announces a call for the Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative — Summer Institute in U.S. Latino/a/x Humanities Studies Methodologies and Theories. 
 
Eligible doctoral applicants must have completed their second or third year in a U.S. Latino/a/x humanities and/or humanistic social science Ph.D. program and not yet be ABD by May 2026. 
 
The Summer Institute is an intense in-person pre-doctoral program for those interested in pursuing a dissertation project on U.S. Latino/a/x topics and is held at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus. Each participant receives a $3,000 stipend to cover travel, transportation, a few meals not offered by the institute, and other expenses and incidentals incurred while attending. Housing is provided in shared apartments on the UIC campus. After successfully completing all sessions and activities in the Summer Institute, participants will be enrolled in the two-semester Crossing Latinidades Mentorship and Professionalization Program with a faculty mentor of their choice outside their university. Participants are also required to attend virtual Professionalization Workshops during Fall of 2026 and Spring 2027. 
 
Application requirements:  
 
• Application Cover Sheet & Questionnaire
• Narrative (1000 word or less)
• CV/Resume (2 pages, maximum)
• Two Letters of Recommendation
 
Submit application materials and PDF letters of recommendation at: https://forms.gle/EmJqjJgYKNWmFaXw7
 
Questions? Please review the attached FAQ document, or contact Glenda M. Flores, Professor of Chicano/Latino Studies, at gmflores@uci.edu
Dean’s Recent Alumni Fellowship
This fellowship aims at easing the transition from graduate school into full-time careers either in academia or other industries. While the fellowship is unpaid, a recipient of this fellowship will receive access to resources that will pay immense dividends going forward and was developed in consultation with young professionals and alumni to provide resources they wished they had access to while in graduate school. Click above for more information and to apply.

 

  • Deadline: Rolling

 

More information is located on the Current Fellowships page and 2025-26 Funding Timeline.  Additionally, please reach out to Turner Dahl (tdahl@uci.edu) with any questions you may have.

 

In Closing
“Rest is not idle, it is not wasteful. Sometimes rest is the most productive thing you can do.”
– Winnie the Pooh by A A Milne

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
– Anne Lamott