A Message From the Dean

I am so excited for the start of the new school year! This week has been filled with amazing events! We kicked off the last couple of weeks with our first year and transfer College Welcome events to celebrate our new students, enjoyed a sweet treat at the ice cream social and gathered together to welcome our Aggie Jumpstart students. You can feel the energy and enthusiasm on campus as we gear up for another great fall quarter! 

It’s been a busy summer, with students and researchers working on so many interesting projects and discoveries. Here in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, we have taken this time to reflect on the past academic year and are using this period to prepare for the next class of students arriving this fall.

We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements, dedication, resilience and determination that brought our students to this milestone. Their accomplishments inspire us and reflect the curiosity, innovation and leadership that define our Aggie spirit. A degree from UC Davis marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and we know our students are prepared for this next step. Wherever they go and whatever they do, they will inspire people, remain lifelong learners and bring light to the communities they serve.

This month we celebrated the grand opening of the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation — a bold new hub for discovery and collaboration that will redefine research, teaching and outreach while driving breakthrough solutions for the future of food systems, sustainability and healthy communities.

We kicked off the month of February with several exciting activities, including our annual trip to the World Ag Expo. Several members of our college traveled to Tulare, including academic advisors, students, deans and experts in animal science, agricultural economics and horticulture to meet with attendees, alumni and prospective students.

On January 5, 1909, the University Farm School, which became UC Davis, officially opened with 18 students and a mission to provide hands-on training in agricultural science and farming. After 117 years, CA&ES continues its impactful teaching, research and extension mission, earning recognition as the nation’s top agricultural college and a global leader in the field.

These past five months have been a whirlwind of activities, and I have really enjoyed getting to know many of you and learning about your research, curriculum and partnerships. I am so impressed with the level of excellence, professionalism, dedication and community that you all bring to your work. Each month I meet incredible new people and learn more about your research, outreach work and teaching, and I feel so privileged to be a part of this amazing place! 

We’ve had a busy month, and our faculty, staff and researchers continue to strive for excellence in everything they do. I want to thank our donors who supported several projects last month. We are so grateful for your gifts and commitment to the college!

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!

Hello Aggies!