Department Efforts

Programming Geek Squad

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a program called the ChE Programming Geek Squad. The program, funded by the UC Davis Post-Matriculation Student Academic Success Enhancement Program, provides non-course specific programming support to undergraduate students. Geek Squad develops the programming skills of at-risk and underserved students as they encounter difficulties in their courses by coaching them on how to implement their ideas using programs such as Matlab, Python, Aspen Plus, and SuperPro Designer. The specific goals of this program are:

To retain at-risk undergraduates in difficult, programming intensive courses
Keep students on track for a 4-year graduation (2-year for transfer students)
To increase overall student success and satisfaction in programming intensive courses

Learn more about Geek Squad

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering are currently implementing action plans at the department level to ensure that faculty, staff and students are fully complying to the diversity, equity and inclusion values set forth by the university. The committee of communication and activities is creating a document containing information and resources available on campus to be distributed to faculty, staff and students. A survey will be conducted to gather feedback from students and faculty on how the department can better serve needs of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Club of Future Female Electrical Engineers

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering recently founded Club of Future Female Electrical Engineers (COFFEE) which promotes academics, retention, and community among women in the ECE department. COFFEE holds weekly study sessions throughout the quarter with complimentary snacks and coffee. The club hosts speaker events featuring women in industry, academic, and alumni who share their experiences as a female in electrical engineering and provide advice and words of encouragement. COFFEE is open to all genders who share the values of inclusiveness and sense of community and support.

Learn more about The Club of Future Female Electrical Engineers

Resources and Events from Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has prepared a robust document with racial and social justice resources. The document is a department-wide effort and was compiled from students, staff and faculty. The document is currently focused on racial injustice and trauma.

The CEE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is planning over a dozen events occurring in the second-half of the year focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. These events will host students, post-docs, staff and faculty and provide an open space to share experiences, comments, questions, feedback or concerns.

See the collection of resources prepared by CEE

Learn more about CEE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion events

Graduate Diverse Genders in Computer Science and Engineering

The Department of Computer Science established the Graduate Diverse Genders in Computer Science and Engineering (GDGCSE) club at UC Davis. The graduate student club aims to create an environment where underrepresented genders - including cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people and more - in computer science and computer engineering can find support and empowerment in their graduate careers. GDGCSE encourages and promotes the success of underrepresented genders in academia and industry through community, mentorship and professional development. Their mission is to create a welcoming community and supportive space for collaboration to tackle problems, share knowledge and help others. The club hosts various events such as resume workshops, qualifying exam preparations and Grace Hopper Celebration scholarship workshops.

Follow the Graduate Diverse Genders in Computer Science and Engineering club

Bring Your Daughter/Niece to Work Day

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering organized a Bring Your Daughter/Niece to Work Day as part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Photonics initiative Introduce a Girl to Photonics. In collaboration with the UC Davis Optics Club, ECE ran interactive demos and led lab tours. Girls were able to experience technical tasks in engineering such as aligning lasers, playing Laser Khet, and bending light through a lens. ECE Professor Marina Radulaski stated "For the department, the highlight of the event was the excitement of introducing 14 girls to photonics."

Read the summary of events

Committee on Equity, Health, and Wellness

The Department of Biomedical Engineering is launching a new committee on "Equity, Health, and Wellness". The 16-member committee will represent the entire BME community and establish goals and activities in the initial meeting.

Contact the committee chair, Sanjeevi Sivasankar