Graduate Division Dean's Update: 9/16/25

Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars,

 

Recently, I was in a town hall with students who asked me a thought-provoking question: What can graduate students do right now to fight for higher education? I paused, because there is no single simple answer. The landscape is complex, and the response must be personal. But what struck me is this: as our world grows more divided, and as policy often overshadows humanity, there is one truly radical thing we can do. We can lift each other up.

 

At our core, we all want the same things: meaningful work that excites us, safety and security for ourselves and our families, good health, moments of joy, adventures that spark wonder, and the chance to be seen, appreciated, and loved. Yet too often, it can feel like this is a race with only a handful of winners. In moments of stress or doubt, we may cut one another down or make others feel small. Social media only fuels this by showing highlight reels of success while hiding the struggles and creating impossible comparisons.

 

But what if we chose a different path? What if we practiced radical encouragement? What would happen if you complimented the classmate you have struggled to get along with? What if you took the time to tell a shy staff member that you like their dress? What if you spoke up to make sure the quietest voice in the room was heard? None of these actions cost us anything. They do not diminish us. In fact, they lift us higher and remind us of our shared humanity.

 

Rather than letting conflict and division define us, let us push back with radical support. Let us refuse the darkness and instead be the ones who light sparks of kindness and possibility for ourselves and for others. Here at UC Irvine, we are a community. Every member of this community deserves the chance to flourish, to reach their goals, and to feel valued.

 

So let us build a neighborhood of laughter, respect, and care. Let us choose to define ourselves not by outside pressures, but by the community we want to create. We are mighty Anteaters, with big hearts, bold dreams, and deep respect for one another. Go lift one another up — radically, fiercely, joyfully.

 

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


Thursday, September 18 – 1 PM PT

Thursday, September 25 – 1 PM PT
Thursday, October 2 – 11 AM PT


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

 

Register for Graduate Division’s Back-to-School Resource Fair

September 30 | 11 AM – Noon

Graduate and Postdoctoral Resource Center (3100 Gateway Study Center)

Register: https://zotspot.uci.edu/graddiv/rsvp_boot?id=1940727

 

 

Tearing Down the Pink Wall 2025 – Building A Movement for Women in Finance
Event Details

📅 Thursday, October 23, 2025

🕔 5:30 – 8:00 PM | Panel Discussion and Networking Reception

📍 UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education, 510 E Peltason Drive, Irvine, CA 92697


UC Irvine proudly welcomes back Tearing Down the Pink Wall for its second annual event on campus — an evening designed to inspire, empower, and ignite a movement. Together with Women Investing in Security and Education (WISE) , we are working to expand financial literacy, open career pathways in finance, and create allies among all students.

 

Founded on the belief that “if she can see her, she can be her,” WISE has spent 25 years empowering women to achieve financial independence and success. Since 2017, the Tearing Down the Pink Wall series has spotlighted trailblazing leaders in finance, broken barriers, and created new possibilities for the next generation.

 

This year, UC Irvine is taking the series even further by building a campus-wide movement — one that arms undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. scholars with knowledge, networks, and opportunities to lead in industries where women remain underrepresented.

 

Moderators

  • Angela Dailey, CEO of WISE and Managing Partner, DAI Partners
  • Jonathan Treussard, Ph.D., WISE Board Member and Founder, Treussard Capital Management LLC

 

Distinguished Panelists

  • Jeanell Novak, Senior Vice President, Capital Group
  • Kimberley Stafford, Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific, PIMCO
  • Zheng Sun, Ph.D., Professor of Finance, UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business

 

This year’s event is made possible with the generous support of our presenting sponsor, Leonid Capital Partners, as well as our WISE sponsors, Pacific Life and the Capital Group.

 

🎟️ The event is free and open to students, alumni, and our Orange County business community. Complimentary parking will be provided.

 

👉 RSVP at: https://ce.uci.edu/events/event-details?serialId=00387

 

 

​​Level Up Your Career: PhD and Postdoc Career Foundations Series

Join your peers for a 6-session Career Foundations Series hosted by A2i and GPS-STEM in partnership with Division of Career Pathways. This series is open to PhD students and postdoctoral scholars. It is required for you to attend each session in-person. The formal program will take place Wednesdays 1:30-3:00PM, Oct. 8 – Nov. 12.

 

Career Foundations Series is a 6-week intensive workshop certificate program. It is designed to give PhD students and postdoctoral scholars insight into and preparation for the industry job search process. Open to all fields of study.

This series will be conducted in an interactive fashion, which will give participants the opportunity to draft and get feedback on their application materials, exposure to best practices for interviewing, learn techniques and practice networking.

 

The deadline to submit your interest is Thursday, September 18 by noon.

Submit your interest to join the cohort and learn more details here: https://grad-uci.12twenty.com/events/30006101280864

 

Email a2i@uci.edu with registration questions.

 

 

Level Up Your Career: Master’s Career Foundations Series

Join this 6-week interactive virtual workshop series designed to equip Master’s students and alumni with the tools and strategies for a successful industry job search. From networking to resumes to interviewing — we’ve got you covered.

 

Mondays, Oct. 7 – Nov. 17 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM on Zoom (No session on Nov. 11)

Wraps up with an in-person Career Mixer – Nov. 17 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM

Attend all sessions to earn a Certificate of Completion

 

Gain priority access to exclusive events, internships, job site visits, and more!

What You’ll Learn:

  • Identify your strengths and career direction
  • Build your LinkedIn presence and network strategically
  • Craft a standout resume
  • Master interview storytelling techniques
  • Navigate professional dining settings with ease
  • Develop a winning internship search strategy

 

Spots are limited — secure yours now and take the next step in your career journey!

Complete your registration here: https://grad-uci.12twenty.com/events/30006101287597

 

Email a2i@uci.edu with registration questions.

 

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.

 

📅 Info Session

💡 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.

 

UPCOMING GPSRC WORKSHOPS

 

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. 

 

Rapid Response Networks for Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Please see this list of resources for rapid response networks in California for immigration and customs enforcement. Also please make sure to subscribe to the DREAM Center newsletter for important updates, upcoming events, and scholarship opportunities. For the most updated news regarding visas and immigration, please visit our Immigration Policy Updates page or the UCI International Center.

 

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 UCI, 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 

 

Priority Deadlines:

DAAD Study Scholarships & Long-Term Research Grants
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is a registered members association made up of German institutions of higher education and student bodies.  DAAD provides young people with the opportunity to gain international academic and research experience in Germany.  Since it was founded in 1925, DAAD has provided funding to more than 1.9 million scholars in Germany and abroad.

  • Students may apply directly by September 26, 2025
  • UCI may put forward one campus nomination
  • Awards vary, 2-12 month grants available

UC President’s Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Fellows
OVPTL and Grad Division are coordinating the UCI campus applications for the annual class of the UC President’s Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Fellows. These fellows can be undergraduate, graduate students or postdoctoral fellows and will be supported to attend the Lindau Meetings which vary in topic each year.  This year’s meeting is Interdisciplinary (chemistry, physics, and medicine/physiology).

  • Students may apply directly by September 26, 2025
  • UCI may put forward five campus nominations
  • Travel to Lindau Nobel Meetings in Lindau, Germany


School Nomination Required:

Chancellor’s Club Fellowship

Chancellor’s Club Fellowships are intended to recognize our most academically superior doctoral and MFA students — those who exhibit outstanding promise as scholars, researchers, and public leaders. Please note, nominated students must be first-generation college students, with neither parent having received a four-year degree.

  • Schools may submit one nomination each by October 30, 2025
  • Chancellor’s Club Fellows will be awarded a six-month stipend for a total of $24,000 for the period of January through June

 

Fletcher Jones Fellowship

This prestigious award is intended to provide financial support to doctoral students that will allow them to fully focus on their dissertation research.  As this fellowship is intended to support doctoral degree completion, students demonstrating a clear plan and strong likelihood of filing their dissertation by the summer dissertation filing deadline at the end of the award year will be given the strongest consideration.

  • Schools may submit one nomination each by October 30, 2025
  • Fellows will be awarded with a dissertation completion fellowship in the amount of approximately $12,000 to be used as a stipend during Winter or Spring quarter

Students Apply Directly:

Public Impact Fellowship

Public Impact Fellowships highlight and support doctoral and MFA students whose current research has the potential for substantial impact in the public sphere. Ideal candidates will be involved in research designed to significantly improve or enrich the lives of Californians and/or national and global communities.

  • Students may submit an application by October 24, 2025
  • Fellows will receive a $10,000 (distinguished fellow full award) or $1,000 (honorable mention award) to be used as a stipend


Tyler’s Tribe Foundation Endowment for ALS Research
The Tyler’s Tribe Foundation Endowment for ALS Research, supported by the Tyler’s Tribe Foundation, provides fellowship awards to graduate students conducting research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This includes work on treatment, diagnosis, prevention, medical device innovation, and improving end-of-life care. As neurodegenerative diseases like ALS continue to rise, the fellowship helps support the next generation of researchers committed to advancing care and accelerating breakthroughs for those affected by this devastating condition.

  • Students may submit an application by October 24, 2025
  • Fellows will be selected to receive a $1,000 stipend each to be used during Winter and/or Spring quarter.

 

Jim Trolinger Graduate Student Endowment
This award honors Dr. Jim Trolinger’s pioneering contributions to physics, optics, and space science by supporting graduate students who demonstrate exceptional talent, curiosity, and achievement in scientific research. Inspired by his groundbreaking work in holography, microgravity science, and aerospace applications, the fellowship aims to foster innovative thinkers who seek to advance their academic fields of study.

  • Students may submit an application by October 24, 2025
  • One fellow will be selected to receive a $10,000 stipend to be used during Winter and/or Spring quarter.

 

Hultgren Family Graduate Division Child Support Endowment
The Hultgren Family Graduate Division Child Support Endowment, established through a generous gift from the Hultgren family, aims to support graduate students who are parents. This endowment provides financial assistance for childcare and other resources, enabling these students to participate in professional and academic conferences. By alleviating some of the financial burdens of parenting, this fellowship allows graduate student parents to advance their academic and professional development through conference attendance.

  • Students may submit an application by October 24, 2025
  • The selected recipient will receive a $1,500 stipend for Winter or Spring quarter to be used for childcare and other resources so that they may attend professional and academic conferences.

Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship

The Newcombe Fellowship supports doctoral candidates in their final year of writing, who are working in areas of religion, ethics, values, or morals.  Those awarded a Newcombe Fellowship are often at the forefront of creative and original scholarship, proposing new insights and ground-breaking work in the questions and conversations surrounding religion, ethics, and values.

  • Phase one application process closes November 1, 2025
  • $31,000 for 12 months of full-time dissertation writing (No deferments, half-year, or partial awards)

UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The goal of the program is to provide research opportunity and career development for scholars whose work will enhance academic excellence at the University of California. Approximately 70% of UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellows have received tenure track faculty appointments. Since 2003, over 400 former fellows have received faculty appointments at University of California campuses.

 

  • Students may submit an application by November 1, 2025

The fellowship provides a salary at $69,073 and $5,000 for research expenses and professional development

 

More information regarding funding opportunities is located on the Graduate Division Fellowships page and the 2025-26 Funding Timeline.

 

Faculty Opportunity at Stanford’s Sarafan ChEM-H
Sarafan ChEM-H, an interdisciplinary institute at Stanford University bridging chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine to improve human health, is now accepting applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant or untenured Associate Professor level in the School of Engineering.

We are seeking candidates whose research lies at the intersection of molecular science and computation. Areas of interest include computational and machine learning strategies in drug design, tools to predict biological behavior at the molecular or cellular scale, and other innovative approaches that combine molecular and computational sciences.

Applications are due by October 15, 2025 for full consideration.

 

DAAD Graduate Scholarships for Study/Research in Germany
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is a registered members association made up of German institutions of higher education and student bodies.  DAAD provides young people with the opportunity to gain international academic and research experience in Germany.  Since it was founded in 1925, DAAD has provided funding to more than 1.9 million scholars in Germany and abroad.

 

Deadline: September 26, 2025

 

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 2023-24 Funding Timeline.  Additionally, please reach out to Turner Dahl (tdahl@uci.edu) with any questions you may have.

 

In Closing

Ways to Radically Lift Each Other Up

  • Give authentic compliments
    Notice the effort, creativity, or kindness of classmates, staff, or colleagues, and tell them directly.
  • Amplify quiet voices
    In class, meetings, or labs, invite participation from those who have not spoken or acknowledge their ideas if they were overlooked.
  • Check in on one another
    A quick “How are you doing?” text, or sharing a cup of coffee, can mean a lot during stressful times.
  • Celebrate small wins
    Recognize milestones like finishing a draft, submitting an application, or making progress on research.
  • Offer to share resources
    Pass along articles, opportunities, or connections that could benefit a peer, even if it does not directly benefit you.
  • Be generous with encouragement
    When someone stumbles, remind them of their strengths and that setbacks are part of the process.
  • Show appreciation to staff
    Thank staff who keep labs, offices, and classrooms running smoothly. Their work often goes unseen but makes everything possible.
  • Model kindness online
    Use social media to share genuine encouragement rather than only highlight reels, helping reduce the cycle of comparison.