ARC/SC/UC LEADS 2015 Scholars with members of the Graduate Division staff. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
From June 22 to August 14, the Graduate Division held its annual Academic Research Consortium (ARC)/California Pre-Doctoral Sally Casanova (SC)/UC LEADS Scholars Program. The annual program hosts college undergraduates from across the country for eight weeks in an effort to simulate the graduate school experience and encourage participants to consider applying for graduate school at UC Santa Barbara. The program centers on individual research projects under the supervision of a faculty member and a graduate student mentor, and culminates in each student presenting in a public forum.
In addition to research, students also participate in Graduate Record Examination (GRE) preparation workshops, professional development sessions, and social activities designed to engage students with the surrounding Santa Barbara community.
Scholars were selected in a competitive application process. After completion, students raved about how the program exposed them to the possibilities associated with graduate school. They felt increased self-confidence, not only in preparing to apply to graduate school but also in succeeding as graduate students.
ARC Scholar Diana Chagolla commented on the program’s impact. “Prior to participating in UCSB’s ARC summer program, I was slightly intimidated by the graduate school application process," she said. "After having participated, I feel qualified to proceed on the path of applying for graduate school and obtaining a Ph.D. in Education."
“My research experience at UCSB was an unforgettable one," added UC LEADS Scholar Markus Walker. "Being able to work so closely with my faculty and graduate student mentors was truly an honor. Not only that, but the people in the program made the experience that much more worthwhile.”
From left, summer scholars Brianna Demirci, Newton Nguyen, Kuang Wei, and Michael Young. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
For the first time, the program partnered with the Office of Undergraduate Research to have the scholars blog about their research and summer experiences. Read the students’ summer blogs here:
ARC Scholar Blog
California Pre-Doctoral Sally Casanova Scholar Blog
UC LEADS (Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees) Scholar Blog
The program would not have been a success without the assistance of key Graduate Division personnel: Dean Carol Genetti; Assistant Dean Christian Villasenor; Director of Admissions and Outreach Walter Boggan; Assistant Director of Admissions and Outreach Haley Orton; Outreach Assistant Director Roxanna Van Norman; and Diversity and Outreach Peer Charles Williams.
A special thanks goes to Van Norman, who has been with the program since its inception in 2012, but has recently transitioned to a new position on campus. Her leadership made the summer research program an enjoyable experience for all students and her professionalism contributed greatly to the program’s success over the last four years.
The 2015 summer scholar participants are listed below. For more information about the Graduate Division’s program efforts, see the outreach page and read GradPost articles about the three previous summer programs here:
The 2014 program
The 2013 program
The 2012 program
“Prior to participating in UCSB’s ARC summer program, I was slightly intimidated by the graduate school application process. After having participated, I feel qualified to proceed on the path of applying for graduate school and obtaining a Ph.D. in Education."
– Diana Chagolla, ARC summer scholar
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2015 Academic Research Consortium Scholars
Diana Chagolla: San Diego State University
- Major: Sociology
- Faculty Mentor: Rebeca Mireles-Rios
- Graduate Student Mentor: Tiffany Ibarra
Michael Young: University of North Texas
- Major: English
- Faculty Mentor: Linda Adler-Kassner
- Graduate Student Mentor: John Soboslai
From left, summer scholars Sarath Pathuri, Kevin Dervishi, Brandon Hendrickson, Kelly Pham, and Gauree Chendke. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
Brianna Demirci: California State University, Channel Islands
- Major: Biology
- Faculty Mentor: Josh Schimel
- Graduate Student Mentor: Ken Marchus
Mario Espinoza: California Polytechnic State University
- Major: Comparative Ethnic Studies
- Faculty Mentor: Gerardo Aldana
- Graduate Student Mentor: Rudy Mondragon
2015 California Pre-Doctoral Sally Casanova Scholar
Yvonne Sohn: San Francisco State University
- Major: French
- Faculty Mentor: Catherine Nesci
- Graduate Student Mentor: Alexandra Magearu
2015 UC LEADS Scholars
Newton Nguyen: UC Berkeley
- Major: Geophysics
- Faculty Mentor: Frederic G. Gibou
- Graduate Student Mentor: Arthur Guittet
Kelly Pham: UC Irvine
- Major: Mathematics
- Faculty Mentor: Padraic Bartlett
Markus Walker: UC Merced
- Major: Computer Science
- Faculty Mentor: Matthew Turk
Kevin Dervishi: UC Santa Barbara
- Major: CCS Biology
- Faculty Mentor: Stu Feinstein
- Graduate Student Mentor: Sarah Benbow
Brandon Hendrickson: UC Santa Barbara
- Major: Biology
- Faculty Mentor: Susan Mazer
- Graduate Student Mentor: Kristen Peach
Sarath Pathuri: UC Santa Barbara
- Major: Biochemistry
- Faculty Mentor: Norbert Reich
- Graduate Student Mentor: Clayton Woodcock
Gauree Chendke: UC Santa Barbara
- Major: Biology
- Faculty Mentor: Samir Mitragotri
- Graduate Student Mentor: Tyler Brown
Kuang Wei: UC Irvine
- Major: Physics
- Faculty Mentor: Jean Carlson
- Graduate Student Mentor: Chantal Nguyen
From left, summer scholars Yvonne Sohn, Mario Espinoza, Diana Chagolla, and Markus Walker. Credit: Patricia Marroquin