photo description: CASA Students at the End of the Quarter Celebration

Dear El Chisme Reader,

Happy Saturday!¡ Feliz Sabado! As finals are fast approaching we are excited to announce that we are open this weekend! Stop by El Centro today until 6 pm and tomorrow from 9 am to 6 pm as you prepare for your final exams. Enjoy some coffee, snacks, testing materials and more!

We are also excited to announce our first Sí, Se Puede Academic Success Institute. This institute is for Latine students facing any academic difficulties in hopes of redefining what academic success looks like for you and empower you to continue on your academic journey with a strength based approach. For more information scroll down below.

XOXO,

El Centro

Table of Contents

1. El Centro's Latest Chisme
2. Professional, Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
3. Academic Seminar
4. Campus Events and Resources
5. Scholarships

Academic Tutoring at El Centro

Academic Tutoring at El Centro

Need help choosing winter quarter classes? Creating academic plans? Questions about GEs or any other requirements?

Chicanx/Latinx Graduation Student Survey

Are you planning on graduating this year? (Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024) Then this survey is for you!

As we start planning for CHI/LAT Grad we want to make sure majority of you are able to attend the Student Planning Meetings.

These meetings are created to keep all participating CHI/LAT Grads informed of important deadlines, fees, day of instructions and to provide input on keynote speakers, performances, music and more!

**Please not that filling out this survey does not register you for CHI/LAT Grad. The Registration form to participate in CHI/LAT Grad will be released Winter Quarter 2024.**

Final Study jams are coming back!

Starting December 8th, El Centro will be hosting its quarterly Final Study Jams. For those of you not familiar with our Final Study Jams, we provide extended Center hours, light study snacks, testing materials and other resources to support you as you prepare for Finals. This year we added weekend hours. Our hours will be as follows:

Friday, December 8th from 9 am to 9 pm

Saturday, December 9th from 9 am to 6 pm

Sunday, December 10th from 9 am to 6 pm

Monday, December 11th from 9 am to 9 pm

El Centro is proud to present our first Sí Se Academic Success Institute! The goal of this institute is for students to create a plan to navigate AP/SD and empower you to achieve your academic goals. Students will have the opportunity to meet with different campus resources including: 

• Basic Needs, 
• Financial Aid, 
• College Advisors from Biological Sciences, Engineering, Letters and Science and the Agriculture and Environmental Sciences,
• Internship and Career Center, 
• Study and Learning Strategies, 
• Writing Support Specialist.

If you are interested in participating in this institute, please fill out the form below. The institute will take place in El Centro (MU 210) on Sunday, January 7th from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Lunch, participant T-Shirt and other supplies will be provided. If you have any additional questions, please email us at cclass@ucdavis.edu.

Registration is limited, and will be on a first come first serve basis.

Hello,

We would appreciate it if you could send this opportunity out to your network, thank you!

UC Davis Outdoor Adventures Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force is looking for volunteers for the upcoming winter and spring quarter! The applications are open now and close at midnight on December 22nd! 

The DEI Task Force is a small group of students and community volunteers who are committed to effecting change in the outdoor community at UC Davis by engaging under-represented student groups, creating innovative outreach strategies, offering educational opportunities and initiating fundraising campaigns in order to create an outdoor adventure community on campus more representative and welcoming of the student body as a whole. No previous involvement with UCD Outdoor Adventures is needed to apply.

Current on going projects include: Developing diversity training for

student guides, filming wilderness video guides, fundraising for our endowment fund, and making space at OA for conversations about diversity by

writing articles and hosting a speaker series. 

Summer 2024 Paid Internship Opportunity

APPLICATION FLYER DESCRIPTION:

Are you interested in a career in agriculture, helping farmers, and supporting conservation? Apply to be a UCD-USDA-NRCS intern. See below and the attached PDF for details! Funding for this opportunity is provided by the USDA-NRCS Hispanic Workforce Development Program.

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service – Summer 2024 Paid Internship Opportunity

• Assist the USDA - NRCS field office staff in providing conservation planning and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and other types of landowners
• Deadline to submit the application is January 15th @11:59pm.
• Apply here:  https://forms.gle/bMeC8WvEcyCTEY5e7 

Our Peer Mentor and Living-Learning Community Peer Mentor application has gone live for the 2024-2025 academic year! The priority application deadline is Monday, January 22^nd.

This is the position description for Living-Learning Community (LLC) Peer Mentors. In summary:

• Hourly position – NOT a live-on position
• Approx. 12-15 hours/week
• Provide holistic academic support to students in their designated LLC through
• 1:1 appointments
• drop-in hours in the hall
• programming for the LLC
• Collaborate with their respective campus partners (that’s you!)
• I would be their direct supervisor

Hello Campus Partners,

The Transfer Opportunity Program of UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions is hiring 20 student ambassadors. We would appreciate your support in disseminating this email to any students you who would be interested. Please share widely!

We are looking for students passionate about supporting the next wave of transfer students. Student Outreach Ambassadors (SOAs) will assist in supporting low-income, first-generation community college students with preparation for transfer and transition to a 4-year University. Our Student Outreach Ambassadors lead our residential summer programs and work on various Administrative, Marketing, Programming, and Outreach efforts throughout the year. This position is up to a 10-15 hours commitment every 2 weeks and very flexible to accommodate a student's class schedule every quarter.

Transfer students and students who have participated in programs such as Puente, Umoja, MESA, EOPS, and TRiO are encouraged to apply. More information can be found on the flier attached and on Handshake.

Apply on Handshake (#8399959)! The deadline for applications is December 31^st!

For any questions about the position, please email me at koserrano@ucdavis.edu.

The Global Learning Hub will be hosting the 3^rd annual Global Learning Conference on Saturday, April 6, 2024!

As part of the conference, the Hub plans to highlight individual students’ global learning experiences through posters placed around the International Center lobby on the day of the conference. 

The goal for these posters is to showcase the variety of global learning opportunities available at UC Davis and the diversity of the students who participate in them. Students interested in being highlighted on a poster are asked to submit 2-3 high resolution photos of their global learning experience(s), some biographical information (i.e. name, major/field of study, expected graduation date, where they’re from, etc.), and a 100-125 word description of their global learning experience(s) and how they will connect these experiences to their future plans.   

If you are interested in being showcased on a poster during the Global Learning Conference, please submit this Google form by Friday, December 18th, 2023. 

Please email Jessica Fareri (jmfareri@ucdavis.edu) if you have any questions.

Join us as a presenter for the annual Undergraduate Leadership Conference hosted by the Center for Leadership Learning on February 3, 2024 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm at the UC Davis Conference Center.

Aggies Leading the Way! aims to connect with undergraduate students across all majors, years, backgrounds, and levels of experience, wherever they are in their leadership journey. The day will consist of learning sessions, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities to help undergraduate students reach their leadership potential and practice their professional skills.

2024 Conference Theme: Mapping Your Journey

Journeys involve more than just getting from Point A to Point B. They shift and change, and sometimes, amidst all the confusion and uncertainty, you get lost along the way! Despite the challenges, what you learn through the many twists and turns makes the experience all the more meaningful. The 2024 Aggies Leading the Way! Conference aims to help students navigate these twists and turns by identifying the purpose behind their journey, mapping out what is needed to start, and learning how to keep moving forward.

When submitting your proposal form, you will be asked for general presenter information and the following:

• Workshop Title (60 characters or less)
• Workshop Description (800 characters or less)
• Learning Outcomes (minimum of 1)
• Preferred Timeframe (11:10a - 12:10p, 1:10p - 2:10p, 2:15p - 3:15p)
• Connection to Conference Theme
• Facilitation Style
• Equipment/Material Needs

Please note that we seek sessions that are interactive, contain tangible takeaways, foster connection among participants, and engage students.

Proposals must be submitted by 11:59pm on Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Presenters will receive notification of acceptance by December 22, 2023

Hello, 

My name is Puneet Brar, and I am the Volunteer Director for this year's Picnic Day! As you may know, Picnic Day is entirely student-run, and we are looking for students to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for students to advance their professional development in an area of their interest while finding a community at UC Davis. We are seeking students who may be interested in applying for Assistant Director Positions and day-of volunteering positions. 

What does it mean to be an Assistant Director? 

Assistant Directors and their associated Directors help organize and facilitate a successful Picnic Day. We have 15 Picnic Day teams, including Chair Vice Chair, Animal Events, Business, Children's Discovery Fair, Entertainment, Exhibits, Graphics, Operations, Parade, Publicity, Student Organization Fair, Technical, Transportation, and Volunteer. The Assistant Director role is an internship with ASUCD, and students can receive a transcript notation on their degree. Assistant Directors will work a minimum of 40 hours throughout the internship.

What does it mean to be a Day-Of Volunteer? 

Day-of volunteers work two-hour shifts during Picnic Day and will receive a free t-shirt. In addition, day-of volunteers will have the opportunity to volunteer for the Student Organization Fair, Technical, Transportation, Parade, Operations, Entertainment, Children's Discovery Fair, and Animal Events teams. This position is a great alternative for students who cannot commit to the Assistant Director role. Additionally, you do not need to be a student to volunteer for Picnic Day!

If these opportunities may sound of interest to your students, I would greatly appreciate it if you would forward the information along. I have linked the interest form to become an assistant director and the sign-up genius to be a volunteer! 

Sign up Genius for Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4FA9AD23A7FF2-46313259-110picnic#/

Interest Form for Assistant Directors: https://forms.gle/qSskS7jDonXZnTs69

Best Regards,

Puneet Brar

she/her/hers

Volunteer Director 

110th Picnic Day

April 20, 2024

Becoming a Latino Scientist

First Year Seminar Taught by Dr. Luis Carvajal-Carmona and many of our outstanding Latino STEM Professors!

Seminar is on Monday's 9:00 am to 10:50 am in Olson Hall 109

CRN# 25963

Seminar Title: I think I may want to go to Graduate School --- How do I do that? An introductory and support seminar for those contemplating postgraduate programs

CRN Number: 25864

Grading: Pass/Non-Pass , 1 units

Day/Time: W, 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM

Description:

This course is designed for all students who think they may be interested in pursuing some form of postgraduate work (master, postbac, doctorate, etc) but are not sure how to do it or how to start. We will discuss all aspects of the process including: differences between the different types of postgraduate degrees, application requirements, personal statements, letters of recommendation, etc. The course will also include panels of graduate students at different departments of the university who will share their experiences and advise. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to reach to faculty for letters of recommendation, develop a draft of their personal statement and an "application matrix plan". While open to anyone, this seminar will focus on the challenges and barriers faced by first generation and students of color when considering graduate school. This seminar will be specially useful for transfer students and junior students.

Example Comments from the first offering of the course:

"In this seminar I have learned many things throughout this seminar. I learned more about ways to do your research on schools you're interested, different ways to pay for grad school such as financial aid, scholarships, TA positions, and much more. Another thing I learned is the types of degrees people can go for such as Phd, masters, post bac, and what the length, requirements are, etc. I also learned about what masters program may want such as experience and overall I learned the qualities and strategies to make you a good candidate for the possibility of masters, phd, etc".

"The most enjoyable part of this seminar was the environment and conversation. It was a safe space and it felt nice to know that I wasn't alone and how others were also lost trying to find their way and it was nice to learn more about grad school with others experiences, stories, their knowledge, and overall the teachings of the professor it was all enjoyable. I genuinely looked forward to this course!"

Hello Everyone! We hope you have all been well~ 

The application form for the Community Healing Through Creative Art Expression program is officially open!  

With this collaboration between healthyUCDavis, the AB540 & USC, the CHI department, and TANA, our goal is to provide AB540 and undocumented students as well as students from mixed-status families with a safe space to de-stress, learn some healthy coping mechanisms and build community in a fun and uplifting way. 

The program consists of five sessions, 2-3 hours each, where students will have the opportunity to learn about and engage with different art modalities! If you’d like to learn more about our mission and values, expectations for participants, and the art modalities we will be engaging with, take a look at our fliers and fill out the application form linked here! 

Feel free to reach out to the student interns with any questions or concerns! " Contact info below:

Dr. Monica Torreiro-Casal - mtorreirocasal@ucdavis.edu

Karen Miranda Chavez - kmmirandachavez@ucdavis.edu

Natalia Soto Acevedo - nsotoacevedo@ucdavis.edu

Session dates:

Feb 1st - 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Feb 8th - 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Feb 15th - 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Feb 22nd - 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Feb 29th - 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Thank you,

Aggie Moonlight Breakfast

Tuesday, December 12th

Coffee House (Memorial Union)

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Free Breakfast, activities and student resources with Chancellor Gary S. May

MU Games area open for free bowling, billiards and gamming for students 8 pm to 11 m - shoes included for bowling, socks required.

Gamma Zeta Alpha Tie-Blanket Drive

Accepting donations November 27th through December 8th

Drop Off Locations: El Centro - MU210 and EOP Center

All donations will be for the UC Davis Children's Hospital

UC Davis Reentry Retreat: Journey to Discovery

Dine | Unwind | Connect | Win

Saturday, January 20, 2024

9am-2pm

Student Community Center Multi-Purpose Room

Undergraduate students ages 25ish+, student parents, and students returning from a break in school are all welcome!

Retreat includes breakfast and lunch, retreat t-shirt, networking opportunities, Internship and Career Center workshop, scavenger hunt, one-day camp for children ages 6+ of student parents, origami tutorial, and a chance to win great raffle prizes!

Priority registration by Monday, January 8 to guarantee t-shirt size and spots at the children's camp; continued registration open until Saturday, January 20:

https://tinyurl.com/ucd-reentry-retreat-2024

Sponsored by the Transfer and Reentry Center; Funded through a grant from COSAF

ELIGIBILITY NOTE

Gilman Scholarship recipients can only receive the scholarship once. If a student previously declined the Gilman Scholarship, they are welcome to re-apply, as long as they still meet all eligibility requirements listed below.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. To be eligible for a Gilman Scholarship, an applicant must be:

• A citizen or national of the United States;
• An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions);
• Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship;
• In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement;
• Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas. Gilman scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location — or an area within a country or location — that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”).

Golden 1 Scholarships have helped members and their dependents achieve their academic dreams since 2013. To date, we've awarded nearly $4 million to over 500 deserving California students. As a Golden 1 member, you could be next!

Applications are now open for full-time students who plan to attend an accredited, non-profit two- or four-year college/university in California.

To be eligible for a Golden 1 scholarship, students must:

• Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0,
• Have a minimum of 24 hours community service OR 24 hours of work experience in the last 12 months,
• Be a Golden 1 member, or a dependent of a member, or dependent of a Golden 1 employee as of January 31, 2024.

Apply by January 31, 2024

Applications are available online. Visit golden1.com/scholarships for more information or to get started.

Students between the ages of 13 and 24 can open a Golden 1 Student Checking account - offering a variety of benefits for students and no monthly maintenance fee. Learn more.