UC Davis advances community engagement by working with communities to address shared challenges and expand opportunity. Through Inclusive Excellence, the university co-creates solutions with schools, businesses and civic partners — building trust through sustained governance, long-term investment and culturally responsive approaches. These partnerships strengthen civic resilience, address hate and bias, and support social mobility and economic development across the regions UC Davis serves. In 2024–25, four efforts illustrated how UC Davis shows up as a committed and accountable community partner:
Community Health
During the 2024–25 academic year, the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities (CRHD) strengthened community-engaged strategies to promote wellness and health equity across diverse populations. CRHD partnered with UC Davis Health and regional organizations to co-design training for community health workers, offering culturally and linguistically tailored modules in research best practices that build trust and support health and wellness in underserved and immigrant communities. The center also served as a technical assistance provider for community-based organizations implementing mental health equity initiatives through the California Reducing Disparities Project, helping expand locally driven solutions to improve mental health outcomes.
Regional Partnerships
$54 million
in funding secured to strengthen K-16 occupational pathways from Sacramento to the Oregon border.
In fall 2025, UC Davis admitted a record number of first-generation and low-income students, reflecting the impact of sustained partnerships with K–12 schools, community colleges, and regional collaboratives across California. This milestone is just one of many successes realized because of UC Davis’ efforts in the K–16 Collaborative. Through this state-funded effort, UC Davis works alongside educators and local leaders in the Sacramento, North State and Redwood Coast regions to align curriculum, strengthen college-going pathways and reduce barriers across the educational continuum. These outcomes of the K-16 Collective underscore how community engagement — grounded in collaboration, mutual respect and a common goal — can make a difference at both a macro and individual level by expanding access to higher education and advancing regional social mobility.
Path to College
1,400
students from over 450 schools attended the May 2025 conference
In 2025, UC Davis welcomed hundreds of middle and high school students to campus for the 10th year in a row to celebrate the Avanza Rising Scholars Conference (formerly known as the César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference). The annual event focused on leadership, identity and civic engagement. Students participated in workshops, heard from campus and community leaders and explored college pathways. For many of the 450 in attendance it was the first time they were visiting a university campus. The conference, which is run by a host of volunteers and sponsored by Inclusive Excellence, reflects UC Davis’ long-standing commitment to the young people in the area. As an event presenter said, “These events are so important to help us explore our heritage and also provide everyone here with the opportunity to imagine themselves in these spaces — at UC Davis or any other college campus.”
Read about the 2025 conference Learn more about the conference
Civic Resilience
Through Hate-Free Together, UC Davis partners with community organizations, schools and local governments to confront bias, bigotry and hate. The initiative emphasizes education, coordination and dialogue — helping communities respond to incidents of hate while building long-term resilience. By supporting local leaders and fostering cross-sector collaboration, UC Davis is reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in promoting safety, dignity and belonging.