May 2023 | Issue 39
A Message from the Vice Provost
Michael Rios is wearing glasses and a suit. He crosses his arms and looks directly into the camera while smiling outside in front of a couple of trees.
This month's newsletter highlights the critical connections between public scholarship and diversity, equity and inclusion at UC Davis. These areas are deeply intertwined and directly support and reinforce each other, reflecting our institutional values and strategic vision.

In the broader national context, where we are witnessing alarming attacks on the foundations of diversity, equity and inclusion, our commitment to upholding our vision becomes even more crucial. A key strategy involves fostering community partnerships, which are essential to promoting a more equitable and just society. To this end, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has made substantial contributions to our local and global communities through initiatives such as Aggie Black Excellence and the Campus Community Book Project. Another example is our recognition as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, which demonstrates our ongoing efforts to serve and support Latinx students and communities. Additionally, the Office for Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is committed to advancing equity in healthcare and addressing social determinants of health, which is critical to our DEI efforts.

Our system wide approach to advancing community engagement is also closely aligned with our work toward Carnegie Community Engagement reclassification. This classification emphasizes the importance of reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships between universities and communities. I am filled with hope that our work in public scholarship and diversity, equity and inclusion will inspire others across the country.

In community,

Michael Rios
Vice Provost, Public Scholarship and Engagement  
PSE is accepting applications for the 2023-24 Public Scholarship Faculty Fellows program. This competitive fellowship program seeks to acknowledge and reward exemplary individuals who are working toward a specific public scholarship goal. We encourage all eligible faculty, researchers and continuing lecturers to apply, and we ask you to help spread the word about this fantastic opportunity.

Applications are due May 22.

Public Engagement Champion
Liza Grandia was barely 21 when she stopped the World Bank and an international oil company from building a pipeline through the rural regions of Guatemala. The lesson Grandia learned then — that one is never too young to become engaged in public scholarship — is something she emphasizes to her students at UC Davis.
Photo of Liza Grandia. Her quote is "In my teaching I try to get students to work on real things. I want them to know that they, as students, can make a difference in the world. They can do it now."

Spotlight: Your Public Scholarship Community

Public Scholarship and Engagement is excited to announce the nine graduate students selected for our Public Scholars for the Future fellowship. The fellowship program prepares the next generation of public scholars to integrate community-centered theories, methods and techniques into their disciplinary field of study, research design and methods. 

A new prize to be offered for the first time in academic year 2023-24 will honor graduate student researchers who use the library to create outstanding, publicly engaged scholarship. Up to three prizes of $1,000 will be awarded jointly each year by the UC Davis Library and the Office of Public Scholarship and Engagement.

Join us on June 8 in exploring the past, present and future of community engagement at UC Davis and UC Davis Health. The Community Engagement Summit — a two-part series — will strengthen and enhance our collective understanding of community engagement and identify practices to help us reduce health inequities, improve community partnerships and reimagine our role as a land-grant university.
In Other News

Events and Opportunities

Event: June 2 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Supporting the Public Good
Philanthropic support plays a vital role in advancing UC Davis public scholarship mission. We invite you to support our vision of discovery, learning and engagement for the public good. 

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