UCnetwork: July 2025

Boldly Californian and changing the world

Behind every cure and breakthrough, UC has the audacity to know it can be done. We’re in every corner of the state — caring for roughly 11 million patients, helping California farmers to feed the nation and working to solve the world’s toughest challenges. Watch the latest video highlighting our ‘Boldly Californian’ university! And, learn how we’re leading U.S. universities in global research impact.

UC propels our graduates. UC’s new Alumni Career Pathways dashboard reveals a strong connection between a UC education and a high-growth career, along with economic benefits for our state. We’re also the country’s best-value education.

50 years of championing UC staff

At the July 17 UC Board of Regents meeting, UC staff were in the spotlight! Regents celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Council of UC Staff Assemblies with a special resolution. CUCSA Chair Jen Bowser and Chair-Elect Desiree Hennon also presented CUCSA’s year-end report, highlighting workgroup findings and staff priorities.

Stay up to date with the latest CUCSA news: Sign up for the CUCSA Corner newsletter.

UCPath has a new look

UCPath has launched a new, modern portal design to help employees more easily access pay, benefits and personal information. Features include responsive formatting for cellphones and tablets, intuitive navigation, a better benefits-enrollment experience and more! Learn more about the updates or check out the portal for yourself.

Need retirement advice? Ours comes from Fidelity. It’s easy to confuse unauthorized advisers with UC-contracted financial planning services. Here’s how to tell if a ‘financial adviser’ is trustworthy.

Help speak up for science

Thanks to federal research funding, the U.S. has long led the world in science and innovation. Proposed cuts to these funds will cost every American, affecting our economy, jobs, disease treatment and cures, and national security. UC is speaking out and pressing Congress to act, but we need your help. Speak up for science!

Wondering how federal funding has been used at UC? Here are seven world-changing UC innovations that emerged from federal research funding.

UC Spotlight: Kudos for our work together

Our monthly UC Spotlight celebrates UC locations, teams and individual staff members who are helping to make UC a great place to work. Read the July Spotlight for stories and photos of staff who are making a difference. Then, learn how to share your achievements.

Let’s go viral: Complete this simple form and you could be featured on our new @UCnet_work Instagram profile!

Can music benefit our brains?

According to UCSF professor Julene Johnson, music is not only pleasing and beautiful — it also puts the brain to work. Hear from Julene on the connection between music, language and memory; how learning an instrument can boost your brain health; and when your provider might prescribe group singing.

Say that again. The UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center shares 10 scientific tips to make you a better conversationalist.

Celebrating UC tech wizards

The 2025 UC Tech Awards honored two individuals and 12 teams for driving technological advancement throughout UC. Winners spanned several locations, disciplines and real-world challenges — from AI-powered healthcare and population health to robust cybersecurity, sustainable operations and innovative design.

Be cyber-crime savvy: Sign up for the 2025 UC Cybersecurity Summit, taking place virtually on  Aug. 19 & 20. This year’s event will explore how cybersecurity, AI and digital risk will impact higher ed and public institutions. 

Staff Snapshot

Matt Hanson, staff advisor designate to the Regents

Matt Hanson, director of new ventures at UC Irvine’s Beall Applied Innovation, hopes to help build an even better future for the UC system and the people in it.

Meet Matt