April was a busy month for our barn managers and student residents! We can’t get enough of all the baby animals being born this spring. New life brings so much joy to campus and unparallel hands-on learning for our students who are assisting with the births. Take a look at the photo reel above for a peek at students in action. Our photographer managed to attend the birth of a new foal at midnight, caught several new kids on film at the goat barn, and captured students in action with baby chicks at Picnic Day. 

Please join me in welcoming admitted transfers for 2026! Earlier this month, the campus released transfer admit notifications. I have a deep appreciation for the transfer pathway and how it offers an alternative approach to higher education for a wide variety of students. This year our Undergraduate Academic Programs team and departmental advisors are attending several “Meet and Greets” throughout California to connect with newly admitted transfers. Transfer Aggie Day is scheduled for May 18—students can learn about our majors, tour the campus and attend a college reception at the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science. Campus visits with faculty, staff and students are one of the most impactful ways we help our new students decide on UC Davis. We truly appreciate the effort of our staff and faculty who show up for Aggie Day and help us extend a warm welcome. 

UC Davis is once again ranked number in the nation and number two in the world for agriculture and forestry by QS world rankings! We are extremely proud of this continued achievement and the level of excellence that goes into this recognition.

This month in Highlights, we have several stories that celebrate our college with a specific focus on the role students play in research and experiential learning. The Early Childhood Lab School (ECLS) celebrated their 60^th anniversary. Over the years, the lab has grown into an engaging space that fosters both hands-on experience for students while creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. Recently the ECLS teamed up with nutrition students to offer healthy meals at lunchtime. This is a perfect example of interdisciplinary partnership across departments and teaching in action. We also profile clinical nutrition major, Makhi Jones and his positive impact on his peers and community by prioritizing healthy habits, and we learn more about the students gaining taxidermy skills while helping the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology create an inventory of birds in the Sacramento Valley. 

It wouldn’t be springtime without the iconic Davis Sheepmowers! They were back on campus and inspiring people to compose climate-change poetry at a three-day mowing event last week. What started as an intriguing pilot to study the psychological effects of sheep grazing on college campuses has turned into a beloved interactive experience for anyone who happens upon the bucolic sheep “mowing” the grass. Visiting the sheep is a perfect excuse to take a break and get in some steps. We hope you are enjoying and exploring all the spaces on campus that are unique to the college.