An important part of the mission of Inclusive Excellence is to build pathways that are geared toward recruiting, retaining and supporting outstanding faculty across disciplines. Through programs like CAMPOS and CAMPSSAH, we strengthen the faculty pipeline while creating professional communities where mentorship and innovation thrive.
Faculty Mentorship Builds Pipeline, Addresses Wicked Problems
Inclusive Excellence is building the pipeline of future faculty talent through strategic, effective programs that ensure the long-term success of academia at UC Davis. Using the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, we have created mentored pathways into faculty careers for cohorts of scholars tackling the world’s most pressing issues. These “wicked problems” — large-scale, interconnected challenges such as natural resources resilience, food security, improved quality of life and technological innovations — demand interdisciplinary approaches, collective action and bold innovation that moves beyond traditional models. By providing structured mentoring and peer networks, these programs strengthen faculty retention, expand collaboration and reinforce UC Davis’s position as a leader in advancing academic excellence.
Learn more about Wicked Problems Learn more about Grand Challenges
From Labs to Lives:
CAMPOS and CAMPSSAH Scholars Making an Impact
During the 2024-25 Academic year, UC Davis launched the From Labs to Lives storytelling series to showcase how federally funded faculty research at UC Davis — including the work of CAMPOS and CAMPSSAH scholars — is positively impacting society. From studying agricultural systems to advancing cancer treatments, their work illustrates how a diversity of scholarship drives innovation and discovery that positively impacts the lives of millions throughout the U.S. and world.
Learn more about Labs to Lives Learn about CAMPOS & CAMPSSAH Labs to Lives Featured Scholars
“We are making incredible discoveries on the genetics of cancer. Every new discovery can potentially help thousands of patients and families. So, if our research is impacted, many people in the community will stop benefiting from these important genetic discoveries.”
— Luis Carvajal-Carmona
New Scholars Join CAMPOS and CAMPSSAH
This year, UC Davis welcomed a new cohort of CAMPOS and CAMPSSAH faculty scholars, expanding the community of researchers advancing science, social justice and cultural understanding. These new faculty bring expertise in areas ranging from engineering solutions for clean energy to exploring migration and identity through the arts. By pairing their scholarship with mentorship and networks of support, UC Davis ensures these scholars have the resources they need to thrive and lead.
“Faculty members like these bring diverse perspectives and backgrounds that are vital to spur creativity and discovery. We are lucky that these uniquely talented scholars chose UC Davis to pursue their academic careers — they will have a positive impact on our campus and surrounding communities.”
— Chancellor May
Advancing Scholarship Through the IDEA Research Collective
40
UC Davis scholars joined the new research collective for their inaugural gathering
From groundbreaking studies on bias and educational opportunity to pioneering work on justice and workplace climate, UC Davis faculty and staff have produced research that is shaping conversations both on campus and beyond. Yet much of this vital scholarship has traditionally lived in disciplinary silos, limiting opportunities for collaboration and broader impact. Recognizing the need to elevate and connect this work, Vice Chancellor Renetta Garrison Tull enlisted the help of Chief Strategy Officer Ebony Lewis to launch the IDEA Research Collective — a new initiative designed to bring scholars together across fields, strengthen early-stage research and amplify ideas that inform policy and practice.