Official Blog | UCGPC

Image description: Collage of summit attendees in banquet rooms, classrooms, and engaged in various poses and activities.

Summit Theme: Rebuilding Our Community, Amplifying Our Advocacy

Earlier this month, graduate and professional students from across the University of California system gathered at UCLA for the annual Grad Summit. This year’s theme, “Rebuilding Our Community, Amplifying Our Advocacy,” set the stage for two days of engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and collaborative planning.The summit kicked off with a plenary session featuring welcoming addresses from key figures:

• Naomi Hammonds, UCGPC Council Chair ’24-25
• Dr. Darnell Hunt, Interim Chancellor of UCLA
• Ryan Manriquez, UCGPC President ’23-25
• Dr. Nicole Presley (Green), Senior Executive Director of UCLA Student Resilience and Mental Health Services

Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in a variety of concurrent sessions covering crucial topics for graduate students:

1. Basic Needs Legislation and Graduate Well-Being
   Presenters: Dr. Gwen Chodur, Timothy Galarneau, and Ruben Canedo from the Center for Economic Justice and Action
2. Advocacy and Leadership Diversity
   Presenters: Ernesto Arciniega (UCGPC) and Jose Roman Aguilar (UC Berkeley)
3. Climate Crisis and Undocumented Student Challenges
   Presenters: Jeffry Umaña (Undocumented Student-Led Network) and representatives from the UC Green New Deal Coalition
4. Empowering Student Caregivers
   Presenters: Stephanie Valadez (UC Santa Cruz) and Heather King (UCOP)
5. Navigating UC Governance
   Panelists: Patriccia Ordoñez-Kim, Dr. Danielle Mireles, Ryan Manriquez, and Caroline Nguyen

The summit also featured remarks from Student Regents Josiah Beharry and Sonya Brooks, providing insights into UC governance from a student perspective.

UCGPC Advocacy Priorities for 2024-2025

On the final day of the summit, the UCGPC Board convened to vote on advocacy priorities for the upcoming academic year. The board unanimously adopted three key priorities:

1. Graduate Student Mentorship Standards
   This initiative aims to ensure robust academic, professional, and personal guidance for all graduate students. Key actions include advocating for faculty development in mentorship, promoting mentorship quality as a factor in faculty evaluations, and developing industry and alumni mentorship programs.
2. Ethical Investment Practices and Graduate Education Funding
   UCGPC will push for increased transparency in UC’s investment portfolio and advocate for prioritizing investments in student-positive sectors. The goal is to align UC’s investments with sustainability and social justice goals while securing stronger funding for graduate education.
3. Support for Students with Dependents
   Recognizing the unique challenges faced by graduate students with families, UCGPC will advocate for increased affordable family housing, expanded financial assistance, and improved on-campus childcare services.

These priorities reflect UCGPC’s commitment to meeting basic needs and encouraging civic engagement among graduate students. As we approach the 2024-2025 academic year, UCGPC is ready to make a positive impact across the UC system. Through advocacy, teamwork, and a focus on graduate student well-being, we aim to foster a more supportive and inclusive environment for all UC graduate and professional students. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and ways to participate in these important initiatives!