Registration Open! Avanza Rising Scholars Conference

UC Davis will welcome students from middle school to community college and their families to the Avanza Rising Scholars Conference for information, inspiration and empowerment to pursue a college degree. Advance registration is now open for this free event. 

When

Saturday, May 16

7:30 a.m.: Check-in begins
8:45 a.m.: Opening ceremony and keynote speaker
10 a.m.: Workshops
11 a.m.: Workshops
12 p.m.: Lunch
1:15 p.m.: Workshops and campus tours
2:20 p.m.: Entertainment

Where

University Credit Union Center
UC Davis Campus
Davis

Visuals

• Hundreds of students gathered at the University Credit Union Center
• Students attending workshops and taking campus tours
• Cultural entertainment

Who 

Available for interviews are:

• Mayté Frías, director of Avanza in Inclusive Excellence at UC Davis (English and Spanish)
• Keynote speaker Aidin Castillo Mazantini, executive director of the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center (English and Spanish), and other speakers  

What

The conference, held for more than 20 years, highlights the value of attending college — particularly for individuals whose pathways may not have included higher education as a visible, accessible or affordable option. It includes speakers, workshops, campus tours, a resource fair, cultural events and more.

Workshops will explore options in higher education; career opportunities; budgeting and financial aid; tips for improving academic performance; preparing to apply for college and university studies; pathways to the nursing, engineering and veterinary professions as well as medical school and law school; and resources to support immigrant students.

Aidin Castillo Mazantini, the keynote speaker, has dedicated her career to removing barriers related to immigration status and to combating immigration detention, enforcement and criminalization. She has about 20 years of experience as an immigrants’ rights and social justice advocate including work with the Immigrants’ Rights Practice at Centro Legal de la Raza and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. A first-generation college student, she is a graduate of UC Davis and its School of Law. 

Mistress of ceremonies will be Leticia Ordaz, publisher, award-winning bilingual children’s book author, literacy advocate and Emmy-winning news anchor and reporter.

More information is available on the conference website.

Map and Parking

• Interactive campus map highlighting University Credit Union Center
• Members of the working media may park free in any regular parking spot by placing their media business card on their driver’s dashboard

Media Resources

Media Contacts:

• Julia Ann Easley, News and Media Relations, 530-219-4545, [email protected]
• Mayté Frías, Inclusive Excellence, [email protected]