Graduate Division Dean's Update: 4/15/25

Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars,

I see the worry. I feel the anxiety so many of you are carrying. Regardless of your background, your politics, or where you come from—what matters most to me is that you are here, pursuing your graduate education, and that your dreams are being met with the support and respect they deserve. 

Right now, that dream feels uncertain for many. I want you to know we see you, we hear you, and we are working—tirelessly, urgently, and within the bounds of the law—to protect your ability to continue your studies. 

What you might not always see are the people behind the scenes—staff, faculty, and administrators—who are giving everything they’ve got to support you. These are the quiet champions: working late nights and weekends, answering every question, exploring every option. I sometimes think of them as gladiators with laptops—fierce advocates for your future, fueled not by recognition but by care. 

And while I missed the official window for Women’s History Month, I want to take a moment to spotlight just a few of the extraordinary women I have the privilege to work alongside—people whose strength, intelligence, and resolve are helping shape the path forward for all of you. 

Ruth Quinnan, Assistant Dean for Graduate Academic and Student Affairs, has dedicated 32 years of her career to UC Irvine, and I’ve had the honor of working with her for more than a decade. She’s a walking archive of institutional knowledge and an expert on nearly every aspect of graduate education—from financial aid systems to admissions policies to student advocacy. Ruth started in the Travel Accounting department and transitioned to the Graduate Division in 1998, where she’s since served as Finance Director, Director of Admissions and Enrollment, and now Assistant Dean. Her career has been built on problem-solving—on removing barriers, untangling bureaucratic knots, and making things work better for students. Ruth played a key role in establishing the UC system’s first Graduate Academic Counselor position, and her recruitment of Dr. Phong Luong as Director of Student Success, Wellness, and Inclusion has transformed the way we support student mental health and academic wellness. She’s someone who leads with empathy, humor, and a deep commitment to student success. She and her husband share a love for Australian Cattledogs—having rescued several over the years—and when she isn’t improving systems for students, she’s likely enjoying a good book, a long walk, or her favorite music from Playing for Change. 

Kate Brigman, Associate Provost and Chief of Staff in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, is a leader whose grace, intelligence, and warmth have always stood out to me. She began her UC Irvine career 13 years ago as the undergraduate program coordinator in the History Department and has since served in key roles across the School of Humanities, the Academic Senate, the Graduate Division, and now the Provost’s Office. That wide-ranging experience gives her a unique and invaluable perspective on how the university works—and how to make it better. Kate has a remarkable ability to stay calm in chaos. She brings a sense of groundedness into every room, while also making thoughtful, impactful decisions that reflect her genuine care for students. Her work helps shape policy and strategy at the highest level of campus leadership. Despite the complexity of her role, she never loses sight of what matters most—people. Kate thrives on solving tough problems and celebrating student successes, especially during events like Grad Slam. And here’s a fun fact that fits her energy perfectly: she grew up in Orange County and worked in attractions at Disneyland during college. That touch of magic never left her—she brings it into everything she does. 

Mary Lou Ortiz, our Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, manages an enormous portfolio—overseeing UC Irvine’s $6.7 billion operating budget and $2.3 billion capital expenditure budget. But what makes her exceptional isn’t just her financial acumen—it’s her integrity, her warmth, and her fierce dedication to ensuring that UC Irvine’s resources are used to support students and fulfill our mission. Mary Lou has held senior financial leadership roles at Columbia, Princeton, Rutgers, and Penn State. She also worked as senior director of budget and financial planning at the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian organization, where she managed the budgets of 26 overseas offices and 32 domestic operations. Her career reflects a deep commitment to both higher education and public service. Here, she is a steady hand at the helm of complex financial operations, yet she still finds time to connect with colleagues, bring humor to stressful moments, and offer mentorship and perspective to those around her. She holds an MBA, MPA, and BA from Columbia University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education at Penn State—a true lifelong learner. 

Each of these women brings something powerful and unique to our university. Ruth leads with heart and wisdom, Kate with calm and clarity, and Mary Lou with strength and vision. They are examples of what it means to lead with purpose, and they are shaping UC Irvine’s brilliant future—and your experience here—in ways you may not always see, but you surely feel. 

With that, I’ll step aside for the important reminders below. Please take care of yourselves and your community. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you don’t have to carry everything alone. My office hours are always open—I’m here for you. 

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

Wednesday, April 16 – 11:30 AM
Wednesday, April 23 – 2:30 PM
Thursday, April 24 – Noon

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

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.

Invitation for International Graduate Students to Join Interstride Program
At UC Irvine, we’re committed to fostering a global community where every student thrives! That’s why we’ve teamed up with Interstride, a cutting-edge platform designed to support international students on their academic and professional journeys. 

With Interstride, UCI international graduate students gain access to exclusive job opportunities, visa guidance, networking tools, and real-time career insights – all in one place! Whether you’re exploring internships, navigating work authorization, or connecting with like-minded peers, our partnership ensures you have the resources to turn ambition into achievement. Can’t make a session live? No problem – various modules and webinars are recorded onto the platform, so you can attend on your time. We know times are uncertain and uneasy right now, which is why these services are 100% FREE for UCI graduate students.

You should have received an email from Interstride this week with the subject “UCI Graduate Division is inviting you to join Interstride” containing instructions on how to create your account. Make sure to follow the steps to register and stay glued to your inbox for upcoming information regarding an information session later this month. This is open to all graduate students and alums. As always, for the most updated news regarding visas and immigration, please visit our Immigration Policy Updates page or the UCI International Center.

Apply to UC Irvine’s Graduate Commencement Speaker 

APPLY NOW
Interested in representing the class of 2025 at the Graduate Hooding Ceremony on June 16 at 5:30 p.m.? Apply now to be a speaker! We are looking for applicants that are interested in being the 2025 Graduate Hooding Ceremony student speaker. Please apply here by April 20 and then from there, we will ask finalists to submit a draft of their speech for review before making a selection.

Any questions, email Sean Collins at collins3@uci.edu 

UCI Libraries Student Display Program
The UC Irvine Libraries Student Displays pilot program proudly shares the work and creativity of UC Irvine students with the UCI community. Temporary displays in the Langson and Science Libraries, created by students, can include original student art, writing, research, and more in both physical and digital formats. Click here to find out more about the program. 

Writing Support for Graduate Students
Spring is here—a time to emerge from hibernation, reconnect with your work, and push toward the finish line. Whether you’re drafting a chapter, revising an article, or crossing the final hurdles of your dissertation, the Graduate Writing Hub (GWH) is here to help you build momentum with community, not just willpower.
 
We have four exciting events coming up next week, including our first ever Open House!

Ready to experiment with your writing process? Break free from the usual grind and test-drive fresh, playful strategies at our immersive, interactive Open House for grad and postdoc writers. Drop in to:

  • Get tactile with journal decorating (no artistic skill required!)
  • Test-drive cutting-edge writing apps & tools (find your new favorite!)
  • Gamify your goals by testing out accountability apps
  • Explore beats, scents, and virtual spaces to help you focus and create

This is the last call for those interested in joining our asynchronous accountability group (run via Canvas) for Spring 2025. Please email Dr. Hosna Sheikholeslami if interested!

Come work for us! If you enjoy thinking and discussing the writing process, we are looking for thoughtful, enthusiastic Graduate Writing Consultants to join us for the 2025-2026 academic year. Click here for more information and to apply by May 5th.

Finally, as always, our incredible team of Graduate Writing Consultants (GWCs) are available for  Writing Consultations free one-on-one writing consultations with you on any piece of writing- through. Appointments can be made through UCI ZotPASS (optimized as a phone app).

For questions, comments, or to share ideas for programs, please contact Dr. Hosna Sheikholeslami, Graduate and Postdoctoral Writing Coordinator.

Please Complete the UC Graduate Student Survey
We want to the UC Graduate Student Survey (UCGSES). The University of California system wants all students at UC Irvine to have the best educational experience possible. The UC Graduate Student Experience Survey (UCGSES) is your opportunity to give us critical information about your graduate experience so we can work to achieve that goal.

Please share with us your experience at UC Irvine. To take the survey, please use this link: https://ucal.us/ucgsesuci

As an added bonus, $800 in prizes will be awarded randomly to students who complete the survey.  The sooner you complete the survey, the more chances you have to win. I encourage you to complete the survey as soon as possible.

The survey can be completed over multiple sittings. Your answers will be held in the strictest confidence and any reporting of results will not be associated with you.  If you have difficulties accessing the survey or have questions about survey procedures, please contact GradStudentSurvey@ucop.edu. General information about the survey is also available at https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/services/survey-services/uc-graduate-student-experience-survey.html

 

Participate in the UCI Experience Survey – Deadline Extended to April 30!
Your voice is essential to our campus community. The UCI Experience Survey is a key part of UCI’s new campus climate initiative, which seeks to understand the lived experiences of students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty. By sharing your experiences—including your feelings of belonging, perceptions of fairness, and experiences on and around campus—you will directly contribute to strengthening UCI’s commitment to inclusive excellence and ensuring that every member of our community is fully supported in their academic and professional journey.

To show appreciation for your participation, OIE is offering weekly prize drawings throughout the survey period, plus a chance to win one of three grand prizes:

🎟 A ticket to Disneyland
📱 An iPad
🚗 Free campus parking

Survey Confidentiality
The survey is being conducted by an external consultant team, led by Dr. Damon A. Williams, a leading expert in inclusive excellence and diversity leadership in higher education. Your responses are completely confidential, and the university cannot identify you from your responses.

You should have received an invitation email from Dr. Damon Williams with the subject line: “You are invited to participate in the UCI Experience Survey.” If you do not see it, please check your spam folder.

Take the Survey Today
The survey is open until April 30, but we encourage early completion to maximize participation.

For more information, please visit the UCI Experience webpage.

Your feedback is vital in shaping how we foster a resilient and thriving campus community. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and help us build a stronger UCI for all.

This session will provide participants with the opportunity to: create a grounding stone, design a postcard with a message to their future self, color, or journal.

Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Workshop
Graduate Division and UCI Libraries will be hosting an online workshops for Thesis and Dissertation Formatting. This workshop is intended for graduate students who are planning to submit a thesis or dissertation as part of their degree. Please register if they would like to attend, or if they would like a recording of the workshop.

April 30, 12-1pm: https://spaces.lib.uci.edu/event/14061815

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. 

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 outline here.

External Opportunities for Postdoctoral Scholars

Global Science Scholars
The Global Science Scholars program is a postdoctoral fellowship of up to two years designed to advance early-stage careers and catalyze groundbreaking science globally. We are seeking to support cutting-edge science in bioengineering and biomedical domains and, in particular, people who are committed to pursuing up to two years of research directed at creating a better future for all by conducting research outside of their degree granting country

 

  • The application deadline is May 27, 2025
  • Up to 2 Years of Funding

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.

  • The application deadline is September 1, 2025
  • Up to 3 Years of Funding

Graduate Division Completion Fellowships
If extreme health issues, major research delays, or other significant circumstances have substantially impacted your academic progress, you may apply for one-quarter of funding through a Completion Fellowship. This call is for the 2025-2026 academic year and cannot be combined with other UCI stipends or appointments. The goal is to provide you with a final quarter of support to complete your dissertation.  

Priority will be given to students with cost-share from their school, particularly if more than one quarter is needed. Students may also plan to combine the fellowship quarter with an additional quarter on filing-fee status, allowing for up to three-quarters of work leading to degree completion.  

If an additional quarter of NRST funding is required, it will be included as part of the Completion Fellowship.

If you are out of funding (this includes anyone eligible for employment) that would cover the cost of a quarter, you may apply for one quarter from the Graduate Division.

Applicants must specify how their research or other academic work was delayed. Although details are not required, applicants may also provide information about how events affected them.

A letter of support and any matching funds available from their associate dean, chair, or adviser.

Applicants must submit a timeline for completion of the degree.

Completion fellowship recipients must file their dissertation and degree no later than the end of the Summer quarter of 2026. Departments/Schools/Colleges will be required to re-pay the awarded funds to the Graduate Division if the filing requirement is unmet.  

Completion Fellowship recipients cannot hold any university employment, including but not limited to TA/Associate/Reader/Tutor or GSR/GSAR/ positions during the fellowship quarter.

APPLY NOW: https://cglink.me/2eo/s82914

No applications will be accepted after June 30th, 2025.

Deadline: June 30th, 2025

Questions? Contact: Jaymi Smith @ jaymis@uci.edu

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.

If you became or will become Doc 2A in the 2025-2026 AY and are fully out of funding, you may apply for one-quarter of NRST support. This funding is NOT guaranteed.

– Applicants must supply a statement of how their research was delayed.

– A letter of support and any matching funds available from the department is required from the applicant’s advisor or school.

– Applicants must submit a timeline for completion of Ph.D.

Deadline: June 30th, 2025

Apply now: https://cglink.me/2eo/s82915

ResearchAmer!ca’s Civic Engagement Microgrant Program
ResearchAmer!ca is awarding microgrants of up to $3,000 on a rolling basis to STEM groups led by master’s, PhD, postdoc, or professional students to design and execute projects that create dialogue with public officials, local community leaders, and the public around issues of common concern. These funds provide opportunities for grantees to develop skills in areas such as communication and program planning, along with an understanding of public policy and government to have an impact in their local communities. Click here for more information.

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.

 

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
As always, I want to remind you to take care of yourselves. These are demanding times, and it’s easy to get swept up in the urgency of it all—but your well-being matters. Rest when you can. Stay connected to the people who ground you. And remember that asking for help is not a weakness—it’s a sign of strength. 

You are not alone in this. We are walking alongside you. 

All the best,

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