UC Davis Students Return to Alma Mater to Encourage College-Going

They Help Share Message of Achieve UC Event

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Three students and a woman seated with a screen behind them
UC Vice Provost Yvette Gullat, right, during Achieve UC assembly last Thursday (Nov. 3) at Sacramento’s McClatchy High School, speaking with three McClatchy alumni, now first-year UC Davis students, from left: Claire Mitchell, Adamaris Perez-Venegas and Benjamin Saetern. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)

Proof for McClatchy High School students that a University of California education is within their reach? Three of the four UC Davis students who took to the stage at an assembly there last Thursday (Nov. 3) were alumni of the Sacramento school.

McClatchy was the site of an Achieve UC event to inspire students to pursue a UC education, encourage early preparation and let them know it is affordable.

Chancellor Gary S. May at a lectern in a courtyard

Earlier, dozens of UC officials, educators, elected officials and other community leaders met at a reception. "We have some important work to do here," UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May (above) said in brief remarks. "Together we are helping make college possible for McClatchy High School students."

 

Also that morning, UC Davis staff led classroom presentations about the opportunities that a UC education can provide, how students can prepare to be successful applicants and the financial aid available to help pay for university.

Chancellor Gary S. May wearing a baseball cap and standing on stage at a lectern

Chancellor May wore a McClatchy hat during an assembly for about 700 10th graders. He highlighted the diversity of the University of California. "No matter who you are or where you're from, you'll find a welcome home at UC Davis or one of our sister UC campuses."

Five people seated on stage with a large screen behind them

The McClatchy High audience heard about college life from four UC Davis students, as they responded to questions from UC Vice Provost Yvette Gullatt, right. The panelists, from left: senior Alice Atiegar and first-year students and McClatchy alumni Claire Mitchell, Adamaris Perez-Venegas and Benjamin Saetern.

Two seated women, one talking and one listening

Atiegar, left, who attended El Camino Fundamental High School in Sacramento, said she was pleased to discover how diverse UC Davis is. She added that there are lots of student-run organizations and services for minority students.

Two people and Gunrock toss giveaways from a stage

UC Davis students and Gunrock tossed T-shirts and other swag into the audience.

Chancellor Gary S. May seated at a table with high school students

Over lunch, May talked with about a dozen McClatchy students, including student body leaders and participants in the MESA college and career preparation program, offered locally through UC Davis. MESA hosts events to expose students from groups underrepresented in university to opportunities in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and help them understand university admissions.

Outside at a college fair, representatives of UC's nine undergraduate campuses and Sacramento City College were on hand to talk with McClatchy students.

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Julia Ann Easley writes stories and supports communications about Enrollment Management, Student Affairs and more.

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