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UCnetwork: June 2024

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UCnetwork is emailed monthly to UC staff, but all members of the UC community are invited to join our email list. You can subscribe online here. Read on for our June issue!

UC Berkeley graduates at commencement

The economic clout of a UC degree

A UC degree has been called “California’s upward mobility machine.” In addition to a lifetime of higher earnings for our students, the outcomes of a UC degree include significant economic and social benefits for all of California. Explore UC’s far-reaching impact.

Learn more about UC invention. The university has once again led the nation in creating new patents

A group of nursing students gather outside to take part in the Nursing Month celebrations at the Betty Irene Mooe School of Nursing at UC Davis

Honoring UC nurses

May was National Nursing Month and UC Health joined campuses and medical centers in honoring the more than 19,000 nurses who provide vital medical services at the university. Listen, learn, watch and read stories about nursing at UC.

Wildfire in Sonoma County

Emergency resources from UC benefit plans

Wildfire season is upon us once again. It’s a good time to explore the resources available to you through UC’s benefits plans, in case you need assistance during a natural disaster or other emergency. Support includes replacing lost prescriptions, emergency care, submitting claims, legal resources and emergency retirement savings access.

Learn about wildfire safety. Explore the UC Center for Health Equity’s Wildfires & Health Education Hub.

Daniel Kasprowicz leads UCLA Health staff walking in the 2023 Los Angeles Pride Parade. (Photo: Nick Carranza/UCLA Health)

UC Spotlight: Kudos for our work together

UC Spotlight is a new UCnetwork feature that celebrates UC locations, teams and individual staff members who are helping to make UC a great place to work. Read this month’s Spotlight for stories and photos of staff who are making a difference. Then, find out how to share your achievements!

Erika Escalante holds her diploma

Transfer students triumph in the Class of 2024

Out of some 61,000 graduates in UC’s Class of 2024, close to a third started their higher ed journey at a California community college. Parents, veterans, seasoned learners, those seeking a fresh start: UC transfer students come from every background imaginable. Meet 10 first-gen graduates who started their journey to UC at a California community college.

Student sitting by the ocean at UC Santa Barbara

You’re four steps away from relaxation

Stress is real — and it can have a huge impact on your mental health and overall sense of well-being. If you’ve been feeling like you need a break, try these science-based relaxation techniques from UCSF researchers that can help you combat stress within seconds.

Archie, the Peregrine Falcon, at UC Berkeley

Why falcons are choosing city life

City falcons are on the rise. If you’ve been wondering what’s behind this trend, so have UC researchers. Our award-winning Fig. 1 video series explores the incredible comeback of the world’s fastest animal and why so many of them are opting for urban life.

Mayté Frías

Staff Snapshot: Mayté Frías, staff advisor designate to the Regents

Equity is one of Mayté’s core values and a critical factor in her decision to apply for the role of staff advisor. Meet Mayté

President Drake

From President Drake

Guiding graduates to the finish line

The joy and pride in the air on college campuses this time of year are palpable, as students in their caps and gowns pose for photos with the people who helped them reach this goal. For those whose life work is all about helping students achieve their dreams, seeing these celebrations further motivates our faculty, staff, and campus leaders to do our best work for the next generation of students.

Commencements are the culmination of an incalculable amount of hard work and perseverance. Our faculty and staff — at times behind the scenes — have provided critical support and guided our graduates to this finish line. I am grateful for all that you do to help our students cross the stage to receive their diplomas. No matter your role, you carry out the University of California mission of teaching, research, and public service. And our more than 61,000 graduates in the Class of 2024 are a shining example of that mission.

I’m particularly proud that of those 61,000, nearly a third started their higher ed journey at a community college (as did I). These graduates have overcome many hurdles to get where they are. Check out some of their stories — they are sure to inspire a renewed commitment to our mission. And thank you, sincerely, for all that you do every single day to lift up our students and make transformative differences in their lives.

Fiat Lux!

Michael V. Drake, M.D.
UC President

UC voices

“We realize not everyone can take a wild horse home so we’ll take the young people out on the range.”

— Laura Snell, UC Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources advisor for Modoc County, on the 4-H Mustang Camp for California youth

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