Dean's Message

Dear Students,

This newsletter began as an idea from students at one of my “Pizza and Prizes with the Dean” events who asked for a way to keep up with me and with what’s happening in our college. Since then, it has grown into the resource you see today, and I hope it increases your connection to the college and to each other.

I am so proud of how driven you are as majors in our departments. The excellence each of you shares is visible in both big and small ways, including recognition with some of the university’s highest honors. I also know that the quarter moves quickly, and that between classes, work and other priorities, it’s easy to miss something that might expand your world.

Each quarter, my electronic newsletter shares information about undergraduate programs, opportunities and events within the College of Letters and Science and across UC Davis. These are all ways you can enrich your experience, find the support you need and help you build community.

Don’t miss out. Everyone looks forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Estella Atekwana

Dean, College of Letters and Science

University of California, Davis

• End of Year Wrap Up 2026 Edition - June

• Dear students,

  As we approach the end of the academic year, I want to acknowledge your remarkable dedication to your studies, to your goals and to one another. This is a moment for celebration. Some of you are graduating and preparing to take the next exciting step in your lives. Others are one year closer to that finish line and ready for a well-earned moment to rest, reflect and prepare for the year ahead.

  It is also a meaningful time to pause and recognize all that we have accomplished together. Whatever your major, discipline or path, I hope you feel proud to be part of the College of Letters and Science community, a community defined by curiosity, creativity, resilience and a shared commitment to making a difference. Congratulations to our two winners of this year’s Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, Tabitha Cowell in the Department of Chemistry and Bianca Arteaga in the Department of Sociology.

  The College of Letters and Science is also honoring two of our best graduating seniors. Jack Jacobs, a double major in political science and philosophy, has received the Herbert A. Young Award. Morgan Strong, a double major in art studio and design, has received this year’s Leon H. Mayhew Memorial Award. In spite of budget challenges across higher education, in Letters and Science we have continued to invest in the quality of your education and your preparation for the future...

  Continue reading the Dean's letter, along with the rest of the newsletter, by clicking the link below

  View the 2026 End of Year Newsletter

• Spring 2026 Edition - April

• Dear students,

  Spring quarter is well underway, and some of you are getting ready to graduate. You are all here at UC Davis because of your talent and potential, and you have worked hard to keep moving forward.

  I think a lot about your success and how you transition from the classroom to the career of your choosing. To support this, I encourage you to sign up for our one-day intensive AI Literacy and Logic Workshop and one of the many L&S AI-relevant courses. I also encourage you to join me for the next Pizza and Prizes with the Dean event on April 30 to share with me what matters to you.

  But let’s not forget about what’s available outside of the classroom. There are many opportunities to engage — and to have fun. Picnic Day on April 18 is an annual tradition Aggies have celebrated since 1909. Don’t miss the famous Chemistry Magic Show or the Picnic Day Fashion Show, two of many long-time Letters and Science Picnic Day events. Pursue your academic passions by applying for a Provost’s Undergraduate Fellowship or another opportunity beyond the classroom. All of these will enrich your experience while you are here.

  This academic year has been challenging, but I am inspired by the vibrance and positivity you all bring to campus. I see so many of you juggling many responsibilities and roles while supporting those around you. This is an incredible expression of what community means.

  Let’s finish off the school year strong and then celebrate all we have accomplished.
  
  View Spring 2026's Newsletter

• Winter 2026 Edition - January
• Dear Students,
  
  I hope you all had a restful break and that you are still steadfast with your New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you have mapped out your ideal 2026. Whatever your plans might be, we are here to help you succeed. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that every student feels seen, supported and empowered from day one.
  
  In our last Pizza with the Dean, you asked me what the college was doing about AI. Right now, we are in the process of curating a list of courses to meet the four key AI competencies identified by our L&S faculty committee on AI, and you can browse what we currently have available. In the meanwhile, you can take advantage of additional resources we include from UC Davis and the University of California Office of the President.
  
  This month we spotlight Kelsey Stallard, a physics major and L&S STaR program lead peer mentor who discovered her calling in research. I encourage you to broaden your own perspective, whether this is through research, internships or leadership positions on campus. Through the Letters and Science Beyond the Classroom initiative, you can seek out opportunities to enrich your experience here and get ready for an exciting future.
  
  View Winter 2026's Newsletter
• Fall 2025 Edition - October

• Dear Students,
  
  Welcome everyone! I am thrilled to see all of you back for the new academic year. This fall, I was especially excited to welcome 4,000 new first-year and transfer students joining our vibrant Letters and Science community.

  

  As we begin this year, I want to share the core values we developed as part of our new strategic plan: to be meaningful, to be welcoming, to be curious, and to be more together. These values are a compass to guide how we learn, grow and thrive as a community.
  
  For our new students, it’s normal to feel lonely your first days away from home. That’s how I felt as a new undergraduate student in Washington, D.C., nearly 6,000 miles away from my home and family in Cameroon. Back then, there was no WhatsApp or Instagram, only expensive long-distance calls and letters sent by mail.

  My feeling of isolation began to change when I started making friends. One day I no longer felt homesick because I had found a new home with my community of peers and supporters in the university. Now is the time to start making new friends and building your own community. Their support will help you find your way.

  To help you chart your path, here are my Top 10 Tips for Success that I shared during Orientation... (continue reading to view the list)

  
  View Fall 2025's Newsletter

• End of Year Wrap Up 2025 Edition - June

• Dear Students,

  As we come to the close of the academic year, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished. I’m incredibly proud of each of you, our graduating majors and minors, and all those who will be returning in the fall.

  Each of you represents incredible excellence in academics and leadership as well as all the qualities that define what it means to be an Aggie. This year’s ASUCD President, Gaius Ilupeju, is a double major in political science and history in the College of Letters and Science. I was truly inspired by his remarks at the Honors Celebration last week, where he offered a powerful reminder of what it means to lead — and what true leadership entails. Thank you, Gaius, for your inspirational leadership. Wishing you all the best as you pursue your future career goals.

  This year, Sana Shehabi and Zoa Willhoite received a Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Research. Jessie Xu received the Dean Keith Simonton Prize for Creativity in Undergraduate Research. The UC Davis Library honored Mariana Perez Sierra, Sofia Hosseinzadeh, Nafeesa Khan and Ananya Nipane with the Lang Prize for Undergraduate Information Research. These are all tremendous accomplishments.

  You have engaged with your peers and those of you who joined me for pizza and prizes with the dean inspired me with how thoughtful you are and how much you care about your peers. This sense of community is what truly makes UC Davis a special place. I’m so happy to see that this character is so strong in the College of Letters and Science.

  Thank you for placing your trust in us to provide you with the very best liberal arts education and to prepare you for extraordinary futures.

  Congratulations again to our graduating seniors! Remember, Davis will always be your home — don’t hesitate to drop by and say hello.

  Wishing you a wonderful summer, and as always, go Aggies!
  
  View End of Year 2025 Newsletter

• Spring 2025 Edition - April

• Dear Students,

  
  Thank you to those who joined me at the Pizza with the Dean event last Monday and for sharing your ideas and concerns. Your feedback is important, and we are using it to strengthen how we can support you. During the event I sensed the anxiety from many of you about the current state of affairs in our country.

  Indeed, this week we received word about students and recent graduates from UC Davis and other campuses across the University of California, who have been impacted by recent visa terminations. The University of California continues to support our international students and faculty, offering campus resources to those who need them. The UC Office of the President has created a FAQ about federal immigration enforcement actions and the printable “Know Your Rights” card, which provides an overview of legal protections if interacting with law enforcement. UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) also has resources available.

  In these unprecedented times, I want you to know that you belong here. As I shared in the recent State of the College address, we remain committed to investing in programs that support your success — connecting you with peer mentors, and guiding your journey toward career exploration and readiness. Our goal is to equip you with adaptable, resilient, and career-ready skills that will set you apart in an ever-changing job market and empower you to make meaningful contributions to your communities.

  Each of your contributions are deeply valued in our community. Our classes create space to foster learning, encourage critical thinking and, most importantly, empower you to discover and realize your full potential. Our events and activities help build a sense of community and shared purpose, so I encourage you to join your peers in participating. Now more than ever, forging strong connections with one another is essential.
  
  View Spring 2025's Newsletter

• Winter 2025 Edition - January

• Dear Students,

  As majors — maybe as double majors — in Letters and Science, I am sure that you have already found many paths you can take academically. Across UC Davis, there are a wealth of opportunities to take ownership of your time here and make it meaningful.

  A world-class education is central to the new Letters and Science Strategic Vision that will guide us to our most ambitious future. But did you know that Letters and Science is also the home of the arts at UC Davis? You can take in the arts in the newly named Maria Manetti Shrem Art District on your way to the Gorman Museum or  catch a show at the Mondavi Center with a free or discounted student ticket.

  In this month’s student newsletter we spotlight Bayleigh Baldwin, a linguistics major and Aggie Ambassador who discovered her calling in research. I encourage you to broaden your own perspective, whether this is through research, internships or leadership positions on campus. Through the Letters and Science Beyond the Classroom initiative, you can seek out opportunities with faculty like Professor Steve Luck who received this year’s UC Davis Prize for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarly Achievement. Take the time to enrich your experience here and get ready for an exciting future.
  
  View Winter 2025's Newsletter

• Fall 2024 Edition - December

• Dear Students,

  I hope you had a restful Thanksgiving break and are ready to tackle the final stretch of the quarter! Over the past year, many of your peers joined me for “Pizza with the Dean,” where we exchanged ideas about how to stay connected. One suggestion stood out: a quarterly newsletter. I’m excited to introduce this newsletter as a new way for me to share resources, deadlines and opportunities to connect with your professors, peers and me.

  Speaking of connections, during our last “Pizza with the Dean” on November 18th, I highlighted the importance of building connections and encouraged you to grow your network. Whether it’s a professor mentoring you, a classmate in a study group or a friend, the relationships you nurture here will shape your journey. 

  

  These connections not only help you navigate college challenges but often last well beyond graduation. As you prepare for finals, take time to support and connect with those around you. Grab coffee, hit the library together, or check in on friends who might need a boost. These moments truly matter.

  On another exciting note, our college has just launched our college’s first-ever strategic vision: Greater Together for the Greater Good. Our vision and goals will guide how we support your success, enhance your learning and invest in research that impacts society. Stay tuned for more details, including ways for you to engage with the plan and share your perspective.

  Finally, I’d love to hear from you! If you have suggestions for future newsletter topics, ideas for events, or anything you’re excited about, feel free to reach out.

  Good luck with finals, enjoy the holiday season and remember: we’re greater together.
  
  View Fall 2024's Newsletter