This Connection is affiliated with the Asian and Pacific Islander Aggies (AandPIA) Living Learning Community and the Strategic Asian and Pacific Islander Retention Initiative (SAandPIRI). This LLC is a space for those interested in Asian American & Pacific Islander culture, history, and community to live and learn together. Participants in this FYAC will have the opportunity to learn about campus resources; meet AandPI community members including faculty and staff; and is designed to assist new Aggies with their transition to UC Davis. This FYAC is open to all students who identify with or who are interested in learning more about the Asian American & Pacific Islander community. 

First priority to register for this Connection is given to AandPIA LLC residents. All other interested first-year students will be considered if space remains during open registration.

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Come join a group of new students exploring ways to stay physically active and fit at UC Davis. Each week we’ll tackle (not literally) a different sport or activity venue on campus. We’ll visit the ARC, explore the bike and running trails on and around campus, spend some of our meetings actually playing sports and introduce a variety of fitness options based on your time, interests, and abilities, all while making connections and creating community with fellow UC Davis students. Because this connection is about students first, members will all have a say in the kinds of activities we pursue and anyone is welcome. We’ll also chat about the overall picture of wellness and how physical fitness contributes to the other pieces (mental and emotional) Physical well-being is crucial to your overall success at UC Davis, so come join other active Aggies as we hit the campus!

 

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If you love K-Pop or just want to learn more, join us in community to discuss our favorite groups, culture, activism, and more. We'll sprinkle a little bit of everything from K-Pop history to recent music releases. We'll examine some of the political and social dynamics of K-Pop culture and its implications, and we might even learn dances, decorate photocard holders, and do some photocard trading. All first year freshmen and transfers are welcome!

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Join this Connection to bond with LGBTQIA+ community (and allies), explore your intersecting identities, and connect with affirming resources and supports for your time at UC Davis! Each week, we will highlight important resources from campus partners and do fun activities to help foster social connection. The Rainbow Connection group will be meeting in the LGBTQIA Resource Center in order to provide a direct connection to our services and support systems.

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Join the Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology advising team to learn about opportunities for research, fieldwork, courses within the department, and pathways to vet school. Students will have the opportunity to meet other new first-year and current students in the WFCB major, while also connecting with department faculty and staff.

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Explore ASUCD - Find out where you can work on campus and be able to drive a double-decker bus, host a concert, bake delicious desserts, repair your bike, write an article, be a radio DJ, organize food donations and so much more - and get paid while doing it! ASUCD is UC Davis’ Associated Students, the home of Aggies serving Aggies. With an annual operating budget over $19 million dollars, every student has a place, community or space to call home. At ASUCD the students are at the heart of UC Davis, providing student jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities and services.

In this Connection we'll learn about some of the best places to get involved and find on-campus jobs that are among the highest paying, most rewarding, with the most flexible hours. Together we will explore over a dozen student run businesses that may include:

The CoHo (Coffee House) largest Northern California restaurant
The Bike Barn – Student Run bike shop
Unitrans – UCD bus system
The Pantry - free food and basic essentials
The California Aggie Newspaper
KDVS 90.3FM - UC Davis’ 13,000 watt radio station
Picnic Day, Whole Earth Festival and Entertainment Council
Student Government
ASUCD Garden – 5-acre garden on campus

Most students don't find out about these opportunities and get involved until at least their second year. It's time to get a head start by exploring campus, get involved, and start earning while you learn during your first year!

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The UC Davis Underground Scholars Program (USP) is a program for students who have been directly impacted by the criminal punishment system, including formerly incarcerated people or those with incarcerated family members. 

This FYAC is a group for new USP students and allies to create a supportive network of friends and mentors, providing help to navigate the transition to UC Davis. Our goal is to provide a welcoming and inclusive community. Together we'll engage in the following topics:
 

• Inside carceral facilities: demographics and statistics
• Approaching College with a Growth Mindset
• Reversing the School to Prison Pipeline
• Trauma informed responses
• Credible messaging
• Cultural responsiveness and awareness
• Kings quest: understanding the journey from incarceration to college

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Not able to bring your furry friend to college? Then join us as we learn about the community cats that call UC Davis home. Take time out of your busy schedule to learn more about campus and connect with fellow cat-lovers. We'll be using the campus cat map to spot some of campus' well known cats like Oreo (the Voorhies cat), Cheeto (the iconic Physics cat), and Bandit (the black and white cat who lives with the cows). We'll explore academic, volunteer, and research opportunities at UC Davis related to cats. We'll even get behind-the-scenes tours of some of UC Davis's premiere feline facilities like the Vet Med Teaching Hospital. Please be aware, we will be walking around campus during each week's meeting in search of cats, wind, rain or shine. This Connection is facilitated by two crazy cat ladies, both named Rachel!

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Ready to see what UC Davis has to offer beyond the classroom? Each week, this group will tour a new corner of Campus Recreation—from the ARC to the craft center, Equestrian Center, Aquatics/Youth Programs, and more.

This is your all-access pass to tour the campus rec facilities, meet campus rec staff, and discover activities that fit your vibe. Whether you're an athlete, artist, adventurer, or just curious, there's something for you here. Come discover your new favorite part of campus—one week at a time.

Please be prepared to walk each week, as this group will consist of exploring various campus recreation locations on-campus.

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You’re probably planning on eventually graduating from college, but then what? It’s never too early to begin exploring future career possibilities! Your first-year is an ideal time for self-discovery and creating a foundation for what comes next. Join this Aggie Connection and learn more about how your natural talents, interests, and personality are connected to majors and career possibilities. You will learn about online and campus resources to learn more careers related to your major. All are welcome as this is an inclusive experience for those of you with defined career goals AND those with future career goals that are still very much unknown. Join us as we help you envision what your future could look like!

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Are you worried about your writing assignments at UC Davis? Everyone has to write, whether it be research essays, emails, or lab reports, but sometimes it can feel intimidating. You are not alone! This FYAC is open to all students from all majors who want to learn how to succeed as a writer at UC Davis. Maybe you are…

a first year taking a UWP class and you’ve never written a college essay before, a transfer student taking an upper division sociology class and you’re unsure about UC Davis writing expectations, or a STEM major taking a humanities class and you’re nervous about writing outside of your major.

If you can relate to any of these or if you just want to talk to your peers about writing, come join our community to learn about resources and support available to you.

Each week, we’ll focus on what will help you be a better writer. For example, we will

• visit Shields Library and speak to a librarian about research writing 
• talk through how to reduce anxiety about writing
• discuss writing assignments you’re seeing in your classes
• explore campus resources where you can get help with your writing like the Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers

Come and join us!

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This Connection is an opportunity to take an hour out of your week to relax and de-stress by doing fun and EASY crafts. Throughout the quarter you will explore different craft forms from scrapbooking to painting to creating a mood board. The specific crafts will be determined at the start of the quarter through participant feedback. By joining this Connection you will learn how to use crafting as a form of self-care, you will find community, and gain crafting experience. This Connection is open to all people of all crafting levels. Beginners, experts, and non-experienced crafters are all welcome!

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Inspired by the Hmong American experience, this seminar explores the complex journey students face in balancing academic achievement, cultural and familial expectations, and personal well-being. Through open dialogue, shared experiences, and practical strategies, the session aims to create a supportive space that acknowledges the pressures of succeeding in both school and home life. Participants will gain tools for managing stress, fostering communication with family, and honoring their identity while pursuing their educational goals.

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Through food, we are able to form connections with one another, explore different cultures, and establish a sense of community. Regardless of whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, where you come from, or the path that brought you to UC Davis, food has the power to bring us together through a shared commonality.

Together, we will explore food spots in the downtown Davis community. This group is for transfer students who are interested in sharing their culture through food and learning about the Davis food scene. Participants will gain a sense of community, exposure to different cultures/environments and to have a positive first step in your introduction to UC Davis. We all got to eat. Welcome to the table. Can we take your order?

Transfer

Ready to go beyond survival mode and start thriving? This group is your space to reconnect, recharge, and level up through creativity, community, and self-discovery. This group blends movement, music, laughter, and real talk to explore what success during your first year looks like... FOR YOU! 

We’ll tap into the mind-body connection and use creative outlets like dance, music, and humor to support both well-being and academic momentum. You’ll also learn practical tips to make your UC Davis experience smoother, like how to find support, get involved, and make the most of campus life. Whether you’re looking for support, joy, or just a deeper connection to your college journey, you’ll find it here.

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If you're a new first-year student and the first in your family to attend college, join this group to connect with fellow first-gen students like yourself. This is an exclusive opportunity for new students in the College of Engineering (COE). Join the COE Academic Advisors as we build community, learn how to navigate campus resources (both academic and non-academic), and develop strategies for becoming a successful Aggie from the start! 

Freshman

Navigating college as a first-generation student can be overwhelming, especially at a large university like UC Davis. My name is Courtney Sanchez, and as a first-gen, UC graduate, I know what it’s like to face those challenges. This course is designed to be a safe and supportive space where you can learn, grow, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Together, we’ll explore the opportunities and resources available to first-generation students. Each week, we’ll cover topics that matter most to you and discuss strategies for thriving academically, socially, and personally.

I’m here to serve as your mentor and guide, helping you make the most of your time at UC Davis while celebrating your unique journey. Let’s work together to enrich your experience, embrace your identity, and discover the world of possibilities right here on campus.
Resources we will be visiting this quarter: 
• Aggie Compass Basic Needs Center
• The Pantry
• Career Center
• Tutor center (AATC)
• Student Health & Wellness Center - Counseling Services
• Student Disability Center
• Craft Center
• Center for Chicanx and Latinx Academic Student Success
• Center for African Diaspora Student Success
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Retention Initiative
• Native American Academic Student Success Center 
• Cross Cultural Center
• Global Learning Hub - Study Abroad

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This FYAC meets once a week, 6 times throughout the quarter to discuss how to best prepare for and apply to law school. In this Connection for transfers (freshman may be added if space allows), students will attend meetings designed to help them define academic and professional goals as they relate to law school, and will design a timeline and plan to prepare for the application process. In addition, students will explore relevant campus resources. This Connection is intended for transfer students of any discipline interested in a juris doctorate (JD).

Transfer

Become the engineer you imagined yourself to be! Build your social capital in engineering by finding your circle of friends, mentors, and allies in this first-year aggie connection. We will help you create a sense of belonging as a woman engineer while learning about and finding potential solutions to challenges facing women engineers along the way. Join our weekly study nights and work on your science and engineering courses together! We hope this Aggie Connection experience will help you become a better and more confident woman engineer.

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An Aggie Connection class for new Economics transfer students. Meet ECN faculty, explore support offices and student organizations, and get to meet your fellow students. Great for helping students transition to UC Davis and the Economics Department. 

Transfer