Vice Provost - Dr. Patricia Turner

Image: Vice Provost, Undergraduate Studes

Welcome!

My name is Pat Turner, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies at UC Davis and also a faculty member in the programs of African and African American Studies, and American Studies. As Vice Provost, my job is to support the Provost in all areas affecting the delivery and enhancement of undergraduate education across each of the colleges on campus.

I encourage students to start thinking about graduation goals from their very first days on campus. No matter your college affiliation, there are common elements of a first tier undergraduate experience at UC Davis. As any senior will affirm, four years go by very quickly here so to optimize all that UC Davis has to offer, students need to plan. The curriculum, in particular the major and general education courses, comprises the core of the students' experience; our most successful graduates place the highest priority on excelling in the classroom.

The classroom experience should be augmented by co and extra curricular activities that complement and round out the students' experience. For example, students should try to have some athletic and artistic endeavors during their years on campus. We also believe that it is often in the students' best interest to plan for time away from campus by taking part in other UC Davis activities such as an internship, studying at the Bodega Marine Laboratory, the Washington D.C. program or study abroad. Given the aspirations of our students, I also encourage them to participate in undergraduate research or creative activities and to assume at least one significant leadership role during their time here. We hold an annual Conference for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities to which any UC Davis student can submit a proposal. Leadership activities can come via student politics such as the ASUCD or by leading the club associated with the major, e.g. a Classics major ought to serve as an fOFficer in the Classics club. At the end of four years, we want students to be proud of a solid academic record enhanced by participation in the many enrichment programs we offer.

Learn more about my own professional background and academic interests.