Graduate Division Dean's Update: 6/25/25

Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars,

Wow — you did it. Another academic year in the books!

Many of you just walked across the commencement stage, realizing a long-held dream. I had the honor of attending seven of this year’s twelve ceremonies, including the graduate hooding ceremony. I’ll admit — looking at that schedule ahead of time was daunting. That’s a lot of names to hear read aloud. But once they started, I was reminded why I love those moments so much.

I love listening to student speakers share where they came from and how their dreams were formed. I love hearing families and friends erupt with cheers from the crowd. I love seeing your faces light up with pride, relief, and joy.

And honestly? That’s what makes every long meeting, every late night, every tough decision I make worth it. Because at its core, my job is about helping graduate students’ dreams come true. You’re doing the hard work — don’t get me wrong — but I’m here to grease the wheels, secure the fellowships, advocate for the resources, and build the opportunities that help you succeed. There is no better job in the world.

This summer, I’ll still be in the office. For me, it’s a time to step back and strategize — to reflect on what’s working and what needs to be better. I’ll be thinking about how we can better serve you, how we can support you through financial strain, how to keep building meaningful community, and how to make the path more equitable for those carrying heavier loads. And I won’t be doing it alone — the entire Graduate Division team is here, working with heart and purpose. While we can’t fix everything, we will keep pushing for meaningful improvements.

 

Your job this summer? Breathe. Find moments of calm and joy. Reconnect with the things that make you feel most like yourself. Spend time with people who remind you who you are. Make something. Hike. Dance. Read something epic. Drink some water.

Office hours for the coming weeks are listed below. They are first come, first serve:  https://uci.zoom.us/j/7277477

Tuesday, June 26 – 12:30 PM
Tuesday, July 1 – 12:30 PM

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

Become a Mentor with UCI’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.

Explore what’s next—join us this July for A2i Immersion Week

Register: https://grad-uci.12twenty.com/login?ReturnUrl=%2Fevents%2F30006101194945
July 15 – 17 | 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM each day
Whether you’re exploring careers beyond academia or ready to sharpen your edge for the job market, the A2i Immersion Conference is your gateway to real-world insight, professional confidence, and future-focused planning.

This three-day, in-person experience is open to all UC Irvine PhD students and is designed to prepare you for meaningful careers in industry, government, nonprofits, and more. Through expert-led sessions, keynote talks, interactive workshops, and networking events, you’ll gain practical tools and connections to help you thrive—wherever your career takes you. 

📅 Tuesday, July 15 – Authentic Leadership: Leading with Integrity

🕛 Noon – 4:45 PM | UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education building

  • Welcome remarks from Graduate Division leadership
  • Executive leadership workshop with Bri McWhorter
  • Keynote facilitator (CEO, Glidewell Dental): Stephenie Goddard
  • CEO Panel on Leading with Inclusive Excellence featuring Errol Arkilic, Angely Andrade, Anderee Berengian, and Gina Osborn

📅 Wednesday, July 16 – Advanced Job Search Strategies

🕛 11:30 AM – 5 PM | UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education building
Led by Jeremy Schifeling (The Job Insiders, former LinkedIn)

  • Sessions on career exploration, resume/LinkedIn strategies, and AI-powered interview prep
  • Highly interactive format—bring-your-laptop style

📅 Thursday, July 17 – Building Your Financial and Professional Future

🕛 Noon – 2 PM | UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education building

  • Financial Literacy Panel (student loans, credit, early investing, salary strategy)
  • Keynote: Jennifer Powers, Edwards Lifesciences – Behind-the-scenes career insights
  • Fireside Chat with three top-performing financial advisors – Real-world money management, investment fundamentals, and financial decision-making for emerging professionals

🕠 5:30–7:00 PM – Industry Career Mixer

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.

 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 

Fulbright Student Program Applications Open
The Fulbright Student Program supports graduate students doing research or teaching abroad.  You can apply independently or with an institutional endorsement from UCI. If you would like to pursue an institutional endorsement, you must adhere to the UCI internal process which is outlined here.

  • Deadline: August 18, 2025

Graduate Division Completion Fellowships
The past few years have had a significant impact on everyone’s lives. Many of you have faced extreme health and research-related challenges that have considerably affected your academic progress. If these issues have delayed your progress, you may apply for a Completion Fellowship to receive one-quarter of funding. 

  • Deadline: June 30, 2025

Doc 2A NRST Support
This funding is available for students who have entered Doc 2A status (anyone enrolled for more than 9 quarters past their advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D.) and need assistance paying the Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition. Not everyone who applies for aid will receive it. The allocations depend on the amount of submissions, the quality of submissions, your academic status, and available funds.

  • Deadline: June 30, 2025

CRI Postdoctoral Fellowships
In response to recent disruptions in federal funding, CRI is committing an additional $2.5 million in funding to support 10 additional postdoctoral fellowships over the next year. This investment directly supports early-career scientists, ensuring that we continue fostering the next generation of IO researchers.

  • Deadline: September 1, 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
“Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself, so that you can hear it in other people.”

— Marian Wright Edelman

“Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife.

The first question was, ‘Did you bring joy?’

The second was, ‘Did you find joy?’”

— Leo Buscaglia

 (Okay, not historically accurate — but still a beautiful thought. Take it for the intention, not the scholarship.)

 

And yes, I know there’s a lot going on in the world — some of it deeply personal, much of it heavy. I see you. I hear you. We’ve got your backs as best we can. If you’re carrying a big load, reach out to someone who might be able to help lighten it. Sit in the grass. Feel the bark of a tree. Let the wind remind you that you are here, alive, and not alone.

Help each other. Help yourself. We are a community — and that matters.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025.

With admiration and care,

Jaymi Lee Smith
Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Interim Dean of the Graduate Division