Graduate Division Dean's Update: 1/7/26

Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars,

I hope you were able to find a bit of rest and restoration during the break, whether that meant time with loved ones, quiet moments to yourself, or simply a pause from the relentless pace of the quarter. As we step into the new year together, I wanted to take a moment to welcome you back and to say how glad I am that you are here.

A new year always arrives carrying both promise and uncertainty. If the last one taught us anything, it is that even our best predictions can be quickly outpaced by reality. Which means it is probably time to start preparing your new bingo card, because last year certainly surprised us in ways none of us had fully anticipated. Here is hoping this year brings fewer plot twists, but if it does not, we will meet them together.

As you move forward into the coming months, I hope you will hold on to tenacity. Not the loud, grind-it-out kind, but the steady, quiet kind. The kind that allows you to keep going, to ask for help when you need it, to adapt when circumstances shift, and to remember why you started this journey in the first place. Progress in graduate education is rarely linear, and resilience often shows up in small, unglamorous moments. Those moments matter.

Please remember that you are part of a community that cares deeply about your success and your wellbeing. We are here to support you, to advocate for you, and to walk alongside you through whatever this year brings.

Wishing you a strong start to the quarter and moments of clarity, connection, and even a little joy along the way.

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

Friday, January 9 – 1 PM PT
Wednesday, January 14 – 11 AM PT

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

Last week to apply for Grad Slam
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.

Make sure to register for our Grad Slam Prep Workshop with Bri McWhorter on January 9th from 11 AM to Noon PT via Zoom.

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

Service Dog Demonstration and Info Session
January 21, 2026 | 2 – 3 pm PT
Humanities Gateway 1030
Attend this information session to learn about accessibility laws and how service animals can help people with disabilities. Make sure to click this link to receive a calendar reminder. No registration required! 

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:

1. • Name and email address
   • Password (UCI NEVER asks for your password via email or forms)
   • Date of birthPhone 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.

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 still 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 4^th-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

• https://guides.lib.uci.edu/graduate-student-support
• This guide provides great guidance on reading, writing, citing data collection and analysis           

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

• https://guides.lib.uci.edu/dataanalysis/workshops
• This page provides details about UC Irvine Libraries’ 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 

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

External Funding Opportunities

ETS Scholarship Opportunities Available:

Lenora M. Green Scholarship
• Who it supports: A graduate student demonstrating outstanding commitment to civic engagement and advocacy for individuals who have been systematically excluded
• Award amount: $20,000
• Apply at: Lenora M. Green Scholarship

Robert “Bob” Moses Scholarship
• Who it supports: A graduate student from an underrepresented group pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in mathematics education or a STEM discipline
• Award amount: $20,000
• Apply at: Robert Moses Scholarship

Dr. Lillian M. Lowery Scholarship
• Who it supports: A student pursuing a master’s degree in education who embodies a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for all students
• Award amount: $20,000
• Apply at: Lillian M. Lowery Scholarship

ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students
• Who it supports: Eight outstanding juniors and seniors attending a public or private Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
• Award amount: $15,000
• Apply at: HBCU Scholarship

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
I often turn to quotes at moments like this not because I lack my own words, but because there is something grounding in remembering that others have stood where we are standing now. They remind us that uncertainty, adaptation, and perseverance are not new conditions, even when they feel especially sharp. As Kakuzo Okakura observed, “the art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings,” a quiet acknowledgment that resilience is not about rigidity, but about learning how to move with change. And in that same spirit, Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us that “you do not have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” As we move into the year ahead, I hope you carry both ideas with you: the permission to adjust when needed, and the confidence to keep moving forward, one steady step at a time.