Students in discussion at the Writing Center

2025 annual report

About Undergraduate Education 

The Office of Undergraduate Education comprises several units that, together, foster diverse, innovative and transformative educational experiences.

2025 Year in Review

  • The Undergraduate Research Center facilitates research opportunities for UC Davis undergraduates in all majors. In spring 2025, the center launched the Aggie Scholars Research Initiative, expanding research opportunities for social sciences, arts and humanities undergraduates. A record number of student researchers — more than 1,000 — presented at the 2025 Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Research Conference.
  • The UC Davis Writing Center, which opened in 2023 as a dynamic hub for writing, expanded in 2025 to include the delivery of undergraduate entry-level, first-year composition and upper-division writing courses. The center also provides writing support to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty, through writing groups, seminars, retreats and writing consultations.
  • The 2025 Summer Sessions offered expanded virtual course offerings, including 59 online courses and 30 hybrid class options. Enrollment in the two six-week sessions and the Special Sessions increased by 643 students in 2025, marking a second year of growth for UC Davis’s Fourth Quarter.
  • The Center for Educational Effectiveness supports UC Davis faculty through learning analytics, tailored consultations, workshops, resources for all instructors and other instructional innovations. In 2025, the center refined its approach to faculty support with the launch of a faculty advisory committee and remodeled faculty learning communities. The center seeks to better measure its impact and advance the delivery of instructional support.

These Undergraduate Education units support students through high-impact learning and research experiences:

  • First-Year Seminars
  • Quarter at Aggie Square
  • Summer Sessions
  • Undergraduate Research Center
  • University Honors Program
  • Washington Program
  • Writing Center

These units offer tools and resources in support of faculty or advisors:

  • Center for Educational Effectiveness
  • Writing Center
  • Academic Advising Enrichment

Read more about the units

2025 highlights

Laci Gerhart sitting in empty classroom

Web App Helps Instructors Know Large Classes

  • by Julia Ann Easley
Before instruction begins this fall, Laci Gerhart will give herself a head start in meeting the more than 900 students she will teach in two sections of an introductory biology course.
Multiple students sitting in a laboratory classroom with some students watching another student point at a lab tool.

First-Year Seminars prove transformational to new students

  • by Ginger M Welsh

Mention First-Year Seminars to UC Davis students and alumni and you’ll most likely hear a positive recollection. 

Recalling his time in a Sports Law First-Year Seminar, attorney Scott Judson, who graduated with his undergraduate degree in 2009, said he still remembers his experience 18 years ago.

 “In my seminar, I built a relationship with the professor, had dynamic discussions with others and developed skills that helped shape me into the attorney I am today,” he said.

A group of people posing for a photo. Group is primarily UC Davis students.

Quarter at Aggie Square celebrates experiential opportunities for students

  • by Ginger M Welsh

“I delayed graduation to do Quarter at Aggie Square, hoping it was a worthwhile use of my time and money. And luckily it was!”  Amrit Bains, a UC Davis senior, said about her experience, at the program’s year-end celebration. She also discussed the impact of students working closely with faculty and one another as her favorite highlight of the program.

two students sitting in the courtyard on a picnic table. Both are wearing Summer Sessions t-shirts.

Top 6 reasons to take UC Davis Summer Sessions

  • by Ginger M Welsh
UC Davis offers hundreds of classes during Summer Sessions, or fourth quarter, as it is affectionately known on campus. Most courses take place during the two six-week sessions, with Session I beginning June 24. With input from the Summer Sessions student assistants, we compiled a list of reasons Summer Sessions may be perfect for you.
Small groups of people talking.

10th Annual Academic Advising Conference takes place in April

  • by Ginger M Welsh
Academic Advising Enrichment brings together more than 150 undergraduate academic advisors for the 10th annual Academic Advising Conference April 30. This year’s topic, “Empower advisors: fostering a culture of engaged learning and continuous improvement,” aims to reinvigorate advisers and support them in their integral roles in helping UC Davis students reach their academic goals.
Blurry images of hundreds of students moving in and out of aisles at the 2023 Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference. The poster boards between the aisles are in focus with the blur of student activity around them.

Record number of students expected to present at 2024 undergraduate research conference

  • by Jenny Carrick
A record number of undergraduate students are slated to present at the 35th Annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference April 26 and 27. According to the UC Davis Undergraduate Research Center, which hosts the event, the 2024 conference includes 884 student presenters – more than any previous year.
Firefly generative ai survey image

Not trending at UC Davis? Generative AI use among students

  • by Ginger M Welsh

Generative AI is a hot topic across college campuses, but widespread technology adoption may be less common than expected. A recent survey found UC Davis students tread cautiously and "thoughtfully" into this arena. Seeking to better understand the impact of Generative AI on the UC Davis community, the Center for Educational Effectiveness recently surveyed UC Davis students and published the results online in the Generative AI Student Survey Report. 

Illustration of a handwritten list, with Wish List at the top, on a starry sky background.

What's on your Summer Wish List?

  • by Jenny Carrick

Whether students plan to take a UC Davis Summer Sessions course to focus on a rigorous topic or they plan to take advantage of the UC Davis’ so-called fourth quarter to get ahead on their coursework, the Summer Sessions team is asking students to list the courses they hope to see offered.

According to Omega Lee, Summer Sessions executive director, student input is needed to ensure Summer Sessions offers a range of academic courses to all students across disciplines and colleges.

A student uses his cell phone while resting in a hammock on the quad.

Summer Sessions 2024 courses posted online

  • by Ginger M Welsh
The 2024 summer courses are viewable on the Summer Sessions website now. Registration, application information and financial aid details posted as of March 1.
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