The University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced DegreeS (UC LEADS) Program

About the UC LEADS Program

The Goals of the UC LEADS Program
The University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) Program is a two year program for UCSD upper-division undergraduates majoring in science, engineering, or mathematics and interested in pursuing the Ph.D. degree. The UC LEADS Program is funded by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) with the main goal of developing California’s future leaders in government, industry, and academia. The program provides its scholars numerous educational opportunities that will lead to graduate and fellowship opportunities. Scholars conduct research and participate in activities that facilitate the formation of networks among scholars and current California leaders. The UC LEADS Program at UC San Diego is jointly operated by the Academic Enrichment Programs (AEP) and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research (OGSR).

The Benefits of Being a UC LEADS Scholar
The UC LEADS Program builds leaders. As a UC LEADS Scholar, you will engage in activities that enhance your professional development and confidence as a leader. Scholars work on research projects supervised by faculty, write scientific papers, and give oral and poster presentations of their findings.

UC LEADS Eligibility
To qualify for UC LEADS you must:

be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident;

be seriously interested in pursuing the doctoral (Ph.D.) degree;

be enrolled full-time in a science, engineering, or mathematics major at UCSD;

have a minimum UCSD GPA of 2.8;

have at least 90 units by the beginning of the program

demonstrate educational disadvantage (such as: absence of a role model; absence of a family member who received a bachelor’s degree; low-income status; graduation from a high school with poor financial or curricular support; or other conditions, experiences or situations which have adversely impacted your advancement in your field of study).

Successful applicants must also demonstrate:

a commitment to, and a strong potential to succeed, in graduate school; and

outstanding potential for leadership.

Required UC LEADS program activities include::

program orientation and quarterly meetings with the UC LEADS Coordinator in Academic Enrichment Programs;

participation in the UCSD Summer Research Program;

formulation of an individualized Action Plan for the program;

participation in the UCSD Faculty Mentor Program;

attending the UC LEADS Research and Leadership Symposium;

graduate school advising;

leadership training;

travel to a regional or national scholarly conference;

membership in a scholarly professional society;

regular meetings with faculty advisors; and

visiting another UC campus to learn about graduate programs and meet faculty

For Future Scholars

Complete the UC LEADS Application

For UC LEADS Scholars

Program Expectations
Listed below are the components of the UC LEADS Student Contract, which you will be asked to initial and sign upon your acceptance to the UC LEADS Program:

I understand the UC Leads program is a one year commitment of Scholarly and research activities intended to prepare me for application and success in a doctoral (Ph.D.) program.
I will work as a research assistant for at least 30 hours per week for eight weeks during the summer (last week of June – end of third week of August) through the Summer Research Program. I will fulfill all requirements as outlined in the “SRP Student Acceptance Form.”
I agree to complete the GRE training offered during the summers by the UC LEADS Program. In addition, I will submit my scores to the UC LEADS Program after I take the official GRE.
I agree to work as a research assistant for at least 10 hours per week through the Faculty Mentor Program during the Winter and Spring quarters. I will fulfill all requirements as outlined in the “FMP Student Acceptance Form.”
With program support, I will participate in regional or national conferences and professional society activities. I will visit other UC campuses to explore their graduate programs.
I understand that the UC LEADS Program will monitor my academic performance while I’m in the program to ensure that I remain in good standing. I will inform the UC LEADS Coordinator if I am experiencing difficulty.
With the assistance of the UC LEADS staff, I will develop a graduate school portfolio which will contain at minimum: a list of at least six graduate programs in my area of interest, completed graduate applications, a personal statement, two faculty letters of recommendation, a list of fellowship opportunities and completed applications, and official GRE scores.
I understand that the UC LEADS Program is required to track my educational and career development. I agree to assist the program by promptly responding to the annual follow up surveys and by keeping the program informed when I have a change of address.

In consultation with the UC LEADS Coordinators, you will formulate an individualized “Action Plan” to meet program requirements in a manner consistent with your specific goals and interests.

Action Plan
A UC LEADS Action Plan must be submitted at the beginning of the 2004-05 academic year. The purpose of this plan is to focus your goals for the coming academic year and to identify activities which will help you achieve these goals. You will refer to this plan in subsequent meetings with the UC LEADS Coordinator.

Listed below are the six components of the UC LEADS Action Plan you will be asked to Develop in consultation with your faculty mentor:

Planning your fall quarter
Selecting research projects
Engaging in professional development activities
Visiting UC Doctoral programs
Refining your research interests
Improving your skills

THE UC LEADS ACTION PLAN

1. Planning your Fall Quarter.
You will participate in the Faculty Mentor Program during Winter and Spring quarters of the following academic year, doing research for 10 hours per week and receiving 4 units of 199 independent study credit each quarter. You are not required to conduct research during the Fall Quarter but you are encouraged to do so if you choose to continue your research project with your current mentor (from the Summer Research Program). If you choose not to conduct research during the Fall Quarter, you must describe in what form you will continue the mentoring relationship you’ve developed with your summer mentor.

2. Selecting research projects.
If you would like to change your research placement, you must include in this section any ideas you have for faculty or research topics that interest you. During the Fall Quarter you will work closely with the UC LEADS Coordinator to identify a new faculty mentor, so that by the time the Faculty Mentor Program begins in Winter Quarter you will resume research activities.

3. Engaging in professional development activities.
You will participate in the following professional development activities during the 2005-06 academic year:

Research Presentations at UCSD. These are sponsored by Academic Enrichment Programs and involve small (5-7 people) roundtable discussions grouped by discipline and presided by UCSD Faculty. Scholars give 15-minute oral presentations summarizing their research.

Summer Research Conference (required for all UC LEADS Scholars)
Faculty Mentor Research Symposium/Undergraduate Research Conference

UC LEADS Research and Leadership Symposium Poster Presentation. The annual UC LEADS Symposium is a wonderful opportunity for all the UC LEADS Scholars and Faculty Mentors from all UC campuses to gather in one place. Most importantly, scholars present their research and build a sense of community.
Professional Society Membership. For a list please see www.aaas.org/international/intlinks/profsoc.htm
Professional/Scientific Meeting. These are organized annually on a national or regional basis by professional societies (see above).

4. Visiting UC doctoral programs.
UC LEADS scholars will be sponsored to visit doctoral programs at a UC campus. List the names of graduate programs at 3 different UC campuses which interest you and explain the scholarly reason for your interest.

5. Refining your research interests.
You will reflect on your research interests as they have developed through your summer experience and identify activities that will further your interests.

6. Improving your skills.
Identify some of your skill areas to improve or develop. Examples include writing, oral presentation, study skills, reading comprehension, and networking. Suggest a plan to address these.

Required Forms
In order for us to record your progress towards satisfying the requirements of the UC LEADS Program, you must submit documentation of your activities. The forms you will need to complete are available below as downloadable PDFs*

Return the completed forms to the Coordinator’s office before the date they are due.

UC LEADS Participation Waiver
UC LEADS Contact Info Waiver

Evaluation Forms
End of Term, Year One Evaluation
End of Year One Form Evaluation

Action Plan Worksheet

Trip Report Form

Final Program Evaluation and update contact information forms

* You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these PDF’s. These forms are also available in AEP's main office in Student Center B.

UC LEADS Partners

The UC LEADS Program is coordinated by the UCSD Academic Enrichment Programs (AEP) and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research (OGSR). The Program is sponsored by the University of California Office of the President (UCOP).

Related Links

Office of Graduate Studies and Research
UC Office of the President

CONTACT US

The UC LEADS Program at UC San Diego is administered by coordinators in the Academic Enrichment Programs (AEP) and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research (OGSR). Contact information for the coordinators is listed below:

Coordinator in AEP: dartis@ucsd.edu
Coordinator in OGSR: ucleads@ucsd.edu