The Future of Undergraduate Education

Launched in June 2023, the Sustaining Teaching and Research Task Force, or START, will assess challenges, prioritize strategies and recommend specific actions to bring about substantive improvements to our education, research and service models, thereby enhancing our ability to fulfill our mission at the highest levels of achievement.

The Future of Undergraduate Education Committee will assess current and future challenges in providing excellent undergraduate education; develop new teaching and staffing models; examine the structure of the academic year, summer sessions, and online education; and help to develop sustainable enrollment models.

The committee's members are:

Subcommittees and Working Groups

The Future of Undergraduate Education Committee has subcommittees and working groups that will focus on specific topics and address the full range of questions submitted to START. The working groups will include members across campus based on specific topics. The sub-committees are:

  • Broad and Engaged Scholarship Subcommittee
  • Chair:
    Susan Keen, Professor of Teaching, Evolution and Ecology
    Members:
    Michael Brown (Ex-Officio), Past Provost and Executive Vice President, UC Office of the President
    Matthew Farrens, Professor and Vice Chair, Computer Science
    Joanna Regulska, Vice Provost and Dean, Global Affairs
    Katheryn Russ, Vice Chair, Academic Senate
    Francene Steinberg, Professor and Chair, Nutrition
    Matthew Stratton, Associate Professor, English
  • Global Learning and Heritages Languages Working Group
  • Chair:
    Joanna Regulska, Vice Provost and Dean, Global Affairs
    Members: 
    Carlee Arnett, Director, UC Davis Language Center
    Colleen Bronner, Vice Chair for Undergraduate Studies, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
    Agustina Carando, Associate Professor and Director, Heritage Spanish Program
    Nancy Erbstein, Associate Vice Provost, Global Education
    Heather Jane Hether, Associate Professor of Teaching, Department of Communication
    Margarita Jimenez-Silva, Professor, School of Education
    Desirée Martin, Associate Professor, Department of English 
    Joseph Sorensen, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Culture
  • Resiliency and Well Being Subcommittee
  • Chair:
    Michael Bradford, Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Education
    Members:
    Susan Ebeler, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
    Tracy Grissom, Director of Advising and Policy, College of Letters and Science
    Lindsay Romasanta, Chief of Staff, Student Affairs
    Martin H. Smith, Chair, Academic Federation
    Jay Stachowicz, Professor, Evolution and Ecology
  • Resiliency Working Group
  • Shantille Connolly, Senior Health Promotion Specialist, Student Health and Counseling Services
    Jacob Hibel, Associate Professor, Sociology
    Lina Mendez, Director, Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiative, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office of Academic Diversity
    Gemma Miner, 4-H Academic Coordinator for Volunteer Engagement, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
    Joanna Regulska, Vice Provost and Dean, Global Affairs
    Martin H. Smith, Chair, Academic Federation
  • Inclusive Technology and Innovation Subcommittee
  • Chair:
    Julie Greenwood, Dean, Division of Continuing and Professional Education
    Members:
    Heather Gastellum, Advisor, Associated Students of UC Davis (ASUCD)
    Ari Kelman, Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor and Provost
    Malisa Lee, Vice Provost, Enrollment Management
    Jessica Lewis (Staff), Principal Budget Analyst, Budget and Institutional Analysis 
    Elissa Roeser, Executive Assistant Dean, College of Engineering

Information about the working groups, including areas of focus and members, will be added as available.