University News

UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May led a delegation to Kenya this week to advance a landmark partnership between the State of California and the Government of Kenya focused on climate action, clean transportation, climate smart agriculture, public health and innovation. Chancellor May was joined by Samuel Assefa, director of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, as well as several university representatives. The delegation was jointly organized by UC Davis Global Affairs, Institute of Transportation Studies and the Office of the Special Envoy on Climate of Kenya.  

Three professors in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis have taken on new roles on the college leadership team, Dean Ashley M. Stokes announced.

Professor Jason Bond is the new executive associate dean, or EAD, after serving on an interim basis in that position for several months. Professor Anne Todgham is the new associate dean for agricultural sciences and Professor Amanda Guyer is associate dean for human and social sciences.

I am so excited to see so many new and returning students on campus! This week has been filled with amazing energy and enthusiasm with our first year and transfer College Welcome events, the ice cream social and Aggie Jumpstart welcome. I had the privilege of meeting some of our new students and their parents during dorm move-in. After joining the college this summer, it is great to see all the preparations as we gear up for fall quarter and start the school year!

The University of California, Davis, Office of Research is pleased to announce the appointment of Clare Cannon as the interim director of the Institute of the Environment, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Hello Aggies!

She is sweet, sassy, nearly 300 pounds and very into sheep.

Meet the llama who moved into the Department of Animal Science’s sheep barn in July to help guard the flock of 150 from predators.

“She wants to be their friend but they aren’t too sure yet,” Matt Hayes, sheep facilities manager, said. “She’s the new kid trying to make friends on the playground.”

Kenneth W. Tate, a University of California, Davis, professor and UC Cooperative Extension specialist, died unexpectedly on June 5, 2025, while traveling in Oregon. He was 58.

Five UC Davis faculty members, including Jorge Mazza Rodrigues from CA&ES, were selected to address the university’s undergraduate commencements at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento Friday through Sunday (June 13-15).

Since the university’s inception in 1908, faculty and students at UC Davis have pushed the boundaries of knowledge to deliver discoveries that not only enrich lives but also drive economic growth, prosperity and security in California and throughout our nation.

The faculty members selected to speak to thousands of graduating students and guests at the five undergraduate commencements at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center in June exemplify the best in teaching.

Together, they are contributing to excellence in the field and have won awards for teaching from their academic departments, their colleges, the Academic Senate, UC Davis as a whole and beyond.

The speakers, listed in the chronological order of the ceremonies, are: