UC LEADS

UC LEADS has made an impact in my life in a number of ways. Their constant support of academic advising, graduate school preparation, mentor and research opportunities all built into a nurturing student community enhanced and enriched my growth as a student and scientist. As a student with a slight learning disability, I built additional confidence through their encouragement of my abilities and talents. In all honesty, the success I celebrate today is shared with the UC LEADS Program because it was their faith in me that gave me the desire to continue with graduate studies and pursue my Ph.D.

UC LEADS has given me the opportunity to meet other Native American science students, professors, and professionals at conferences and at other university campuses. In assisting me with attending conferences, UC LEADS has enabled me to visualize my future career as both a medical doctor and researcher after earning a MD/PhD while holding to my Native American culture and traditions. By providing support for visiting other campuses, UC LEADS has allowed me to determine what is important for me when looking at universities and which schools I would like to attend.

The UC LEADS program at UC Davis has helped to shape my future by pushing me to become a more involved student and leader. UC LEADS provides a network of caring staff members that support and encourage all of the Scholars activities. UC LEADS has made us aware of what is necessary to become a productive graduate student while offering seminars that will prepare, guide and deliver us to our goals. LEADS also provides funding for attending professional conferences as well as required conferences, all of which provide a unique interaction between students and faculty members from multiple institutions. The UC LEADS program has opened my eyes to many possibilities and has provided me with the structure and guidance necessary to achieve any number of goals.

The UC LEADS program has given me an invaluable opportunity to discover myself as a researcher. The program has enabled me to prove to myself that I can do the work required of a graduate student and be a competitive graduate school applicant. Furthermore, I learned a considerable amount of independence, practical knowledge and research skills. I learned how to work on a research project independently, wade through research articles for pertinent information and take gathered data and draw a conclusion. Moreover, during my research experiences I was able to discover my passion for thermofluids.

The UC LEADS program has helped me realize the importance of graduate school and focus on my research interests. The support through the seminars, conferences, and interaction with graduate students and professors is a unique experience that I have not been exposed to anywhere else. I have acquired skills to conduct research and present my research through posters and oral presentations. In addition, the attendance to national conferences has allowed me to meet others in the technical field and realize my passion for the research projects I am involved in. UC LEADS is the reason I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and am grateful for the opportunity.

UCLEADS is more than opportunity it is a great gift. I have never felt so privileged or honored to be part of a program impacted with such exceptional standards in leadership, outstanding educational goals and a focus to develop strong mentor/scholar relationships. The UC LEADS program has taken the minute scope of information I had about graduate school and has broaden it a hundred times. Dedicated to the success of their scholars they have provided me with numerous and extensive experiences in becoming a more promising graduate applicant. Through UC LEADS I have been able to conduct cutting edge research in my field of study, Cellular Biology. Additionally, to strengthen my resume, I have had the opportunity to present this research at conferences all over the nation. The skills and tools I have gained and the relationships I have built over that past two years are invaluable and without them my education at UC Davis would not be as complete or rewarding.

The UC LEADS Program has had a significant part of my college education. I would not have known about the importance of a Ph.D. degree without UC LEADS. I would not have published my research paper in a national conference without UC LEADS. I would not have done research projects with various professors without UC LEADS. The most important point is getting into graduate school with the help of UC LEADS. With the support of the UC LEADS Program, I have distinguised myself from others, and found my research potential.