About

Welcome to the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis. L&S is a very special community — even by UC Davis standards. We exist at the intersection of very strong research across disciplines and an unshakeable commitment to teaching that stresses the success of all students. 

We are unique in that we offer students the benefits of a liberal arts education within a major research institution. This intersection between education and research is where we find our greatest strengths and it drives everything we do.

At the heart of our strength is the overall excellence of our university. UC Davis is ranked #3 among public universities nationwide and #12 overallfor how we set our graduates up for success. UC Davis was also ranked #1 for diversity, inclusiveness and internationalization and #2 among public universities for social mobility.

Our success in educating our students begins with our faculty. The scope of opportunities we offer students is as wide as anywhere in the University of California system. Our faculty teach and conduct research in 37 academic departments and programs. 

Our faculty are leaders in fields as diverse as cognitive neuroscience, psychology, physics, geology, history, statistics, fine arts, economics and many other fields. They their knowledge in the classroom with undergraduate students and they train graduate students who are the researchers of tomorrow.

Our greatest strengths in the College of Letters and Science are our great diversity combined with our culture of working together for a better future. Despite our many departments and programs we are greater than the sum of our parts. We support each other and all work to make sure our students thrive. 

Our community in Letters and Science is pervasively positive, and it’s what makes our college a very special place even at a university like UC Davis. I am especially proud to serve here as dean and I welcome you to join us.

Estella Atekwana
Dean, College of Letters and Science