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UC Academic Advising Conference 

The power of connection: highlights from UCAAC 2025

Volunteers welcome guests to the reception.
Volunteers welcome guests to the reception.

Academic advisors from throughout the University of California system gathered at UC Davis for the 2025 UC Academic Advising Conference (UCAAC), which took place from April 27 to 29. The conference theme, Bold moves to shape change: leading with courage, advocacy, and resilience, centered advisors’ role in driving institutional progress and championing student success. The three days of professional growth, reflection, and connection began with an evening reception at the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, providing a vibrant setting for networking and socializing. The spirit of community was evident as attendees used the opportunity to establish new connections and rekindle old ones with colleagues from across the state.

Conferencegoers in their seats smiling.
Participants entertained by the emcees.

Attendees were well prepared and entertained by conference emcees Lauren Wong and Leo Alamillo. From the opening video to the closing video and everything in between, Lauren and Leo enthusiastically guided conferencegoers through the events of each day. Adding to the fun, the conference featured interactive elements designed to enhance attendee engagement and community building. A lively photobooth, multiple raffle prizes, and the "herding cows" game added a playful dimension to the event, fostering connections and camaraderie among participants.

Dr. Kari Grain, author of Critical Hope, delivered a keynote that explored how to cultivate critical hope in unpredictable times. She rooted her talk with a land acknowledgment linking Davis to the Patwin people and shared her experiences from British Columbia, on Musqueam territory. Using water as a guiding metaphor, she drew parallels to resilience in advising work amid crises. Framing critical hope as forward-facing and complex, Dr. Grain urged advisors to engage with optimism, as well as with grief, anger, and systemic injustice. She critiqued “good vibes only” culture and the privilege behind performative positivity and certain manifestation practices. Instead, she called for embracing discomfort, holding multiple truths, and fostering grounded, collective action. Her message offered validation and a renewed sense of purpose amidst a backdrop of uncertainty and burnout.

Executive Director Kayton Carter stands beside keynote speaker Kari Grain.
Keynote speaker Dr. Kari Grain chats with advisors, alongside UC Davis Academic Advising Enrichment Executive Director Kayton Carter.

A varied lineup of breakout sessions complemented the keynote; they covered current topics, such as strategies for supporting vulnerable student populations, fostering inclusive advising practices, and promoting wellness among advisors. These sessions provided valuable opportunities for growth, as well as an exchange of innovative ideas. Executive Director Kayton Carter's closing remarks reaffirmed the vital role of academic advisors as courageous leaders and advocates for equity. “This year’s UC Academic Advising Conference proved that when we come together across campuses—with courage, advocacy, and resilience—there is more than enough: enough knowledge to share, enough strength to uplift one another, and enough collective power to shape lasting change for our students and our institutions,” said Carter. His address advanced a sense of empowerment among advisors and a vision for the future of advising.

Overall, UCAAC 2025 balanced a tone that was fun, engaging, and contemplative. Advisors left with practical tools, deeper connections, and a refreshed sense of commitment. The conference served as a powerful reminder that change in higher education requires not only bold ideas, but a hopeful and critically engaged community to see them through. And, as the photo booth smiles and cow-themed laughter reminded us, a little joy can go a long way in sustaining ourselves as we continue ahead.

Three advisors in photobooth picture with props and inflatable cows.
Endless entertainment in the photobooth.

Photo galleries

  • Inflatable cows, campus pride, and unexpected props...the photobooth was a source of joy. Check out how your colleagues cheesed up for the cameras via the photobooth gallery. 
  • You might also remember that we had a photo contest during the event. Scroll through those participant-uploaded photos via Padlet. 
  • Thank you to Rose Ashley Photography for our official conference photography. Browse the pictures from our three conference days and save some memories via the 2025 UCAAC gallery.

Campus updates & acknowledgements

Review campus updates, as well as volunteer acknowledgements, sponsor appreciation, and more via the rotating slide deck we displayed during the conference.

Next stop

We are excited to share that UC Riverside will host UCAAC 2026! 

Revisit details from the 2025 experience

  • Background
  • UC Academic Advising Conference (UCAAC)
    This UC-wide conference brings together academic advisors from across our system to learn, grow and network. The conference provides participants opportunities to:
    • Advance advising as a transformative practice in shaping equitable student outcomes 
      Explore and learn to implement innovative advising practices
      Establish meaningful networks to advocate for equity-focused advising
  • 2025 Conference
  • Bold moves to shape change: leading with courage, advocacy and resilience
    April 27-29, 2025
    UC Davis Conference Center (and nearby locations)
    Davis, California
  • Aventri app
  • We will be using the Aventri app. To get the most out of the conference experience, download the app on your device. Registered attendees received information via email about how to access our event. Among other things, you will find an interactive program where you can build your individualized agenda. 
  • Conference program
  • Review the web version of the conference program here. 
  • Event overview

  • Sunday, April 27, 5:00pm-6:30pm: Welcome reception

    Monday, April 28, 9:00am-4:30pm: Conference events

    Tuesday, April 29, 9:00am-12:30pm: Conference events

  • Keynote
  • We are excited to feature Dr. Kari Grain as our conference keynote speaker on April 28. Dr. Grain is faculty at the University of British Columbia and author of Critical Hope (2022).
  • Fun
  • Review our digital Guidebook for recommendations on things to do, see, and eat in and around Davis. 
  • Stay
  • The Hyatt Place hotel block is full. Other hotels in Davis include: Aggie Inn, Palm Court, University Park Inn and Suites, Hyatt House, Residence Inn, Best Western University Lodge, and Holiday Inn Express.
  • Park

  • Read our campus visitor parking information to understand requirements.

    Use AggiePark via the AMP Park app to purchase a permit.

    Visitor Parking Lots 1 & 2 and the Gateway Parking Structure are the closest parking locations.

  • Restroom information

  • Shrem Museum – Gender-inclusive restrooms available.

    Conference Center – Gender-inclusive restrooms available.

    Alumni Center – Gender-inclusive restrooms available on Monday only.

  • Event locations
  • Map of conference with locations marked.
    Event locations marked by the red double decker bus icon.

    Use the UC Davis campus map if you intend to explore our campus beyond the conference event locations.

  • Connect

  • Find all the helpful links in one handy location using our Linktree. 

    Follow @UCAdvising on Instagram!

  • Sponsors

  • Thank you to our Double Decker Bus Tier sponsors UC Online and UCEAP.
     

    UC Online and UCEAP logos
  • Contact
  • Please email ucaac@ucdavis.edu with any questions.