News

4 Reasons Why Leadership Training Matters

Regardless of where you are in your journey as a leader, investing in management and leadership training can improve your performance and the performance of those around you. Here are four reasons why investing in your leadership development is essential.

IT Service Desk Pilot Forges New Paths, One Skill at a Time

Lifelong learning? New professional opportunities? A stronger community? Tech talent pipeline?  The IT Service Desk pilot checks all the boxes and more, with positive outcomes for everyone involved, from pilot participants to UC Davis, and the greater Sacramento community. Read on to learn more.

On the Path to a Rewarding Career in Public Health

Youvanna Jimenez says a career in public health aligns with her interests and her desire to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. As a student in the Public Health Certificate, she’s applying what she’s learning to her current work, while also becoming a more competitive candidate for an MPH program.

Career Outlook: Professional Coaching

Coaching as a profession has evolved and become a much more prevalent part of the personal and professional development landscape. Coaches now have the opportunity to work independently as a business owner or embedded in an organization as an internal coach. Learn more about this career path and how to get started in the field.

Online Education Opens Doors for Rwandan Father of Two

Theogene Semana enrolled in UC Davis on Coursera’s Coaching Skills for Managers Specialization so he could shape his career in the domain of leadership. Today, the skills he gained have not only helped him advance in his career, but also provide stability and security for his family.

Student Spotlight: Gabby Rich

According to Gabby Rich, the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Bac Program served as the backbone for her applications to med school. She is now in her first year at AT Still University's Physician Assistant Program.

Cleaning and Sanitation in Winemaking

Investing in an effective cleaning and sanitation program is essential to the quality and safety of your wine – and your bottom line. Get an overview from instructor Leticia Chacon-Rodriguez on cleaning and sanitation measures that all winemakers should consider before beginning their next batch.

Student Spotlight: Lucero Cordero

Lucero Cordero spent most of their formative years prioritizing their brother's needs over their own and subsequently struggled to get into medical school. The UC Davis Health Professions Post-Bac, helped Cordero gain the confidence and support to succeed at getting accepted to numerous medical schools, ultimately helping them achieve the next step in their dream toward becoming a pediatrician.

Student Spotlight: Jeff Heiser

Since completing the Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program, Jeff Heiser has taken on increased responsibilities as an internal coach. As he nears his 100-hour coaching requirement for ICF Certification, he hopes to expand his weekend coaching gig and take on more of a professional coaching role.

Student Spotlight: Iman Leong

Shortly after starting his career in occupational safety, Iman Leong's colleagues and managers recommended the Workplace Health and Safety Manager Certificate Program. Since completing program, he feels empowered to make a positive impact on his organization’s safety management system.

How to Find Scholarships and Other Funding for Your Certificate Program

Investing in your education can be a difficult decision to make, especially when considering the costs associated with earning a certificate or other credential. With a bit of research and patience, you will find a number of scholarships and other funding available to help you pay for your certificate program. Here are a few resources to get you started.

Student Spotlight: Francisco Cordero

When Francisco Cordero began thinking about applying to medical school, he knew he needed to increase his GPA to be a more competitive applicant. He completed the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program with a GPA of 3.87 and has received his first acceptance letter with more decisions to come.

Student Spotlight: May Cheung

May Cheung is an assistant professor of nutrition sciences at City University of New York, Brooklyn College. Interested in learning how her skills and knowledge could be used in the food and beverage industry, she decided to pursue a certificate in Applied Sensory and Consumer Science.

Student Spotlight: Victoria Odufuwa Nze

Victoria Nze received her first acceptance letter to her top-choice nursing school after graduating from the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program. She says the program not only helped her raise her GPA, it also boosted her confidence.

Student Spotlight: Rachel Becker

After struggling to get into medical school, Rachel Becker applied to the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Bac for guidance and structure to help her pinpoint what she needed to improve upon and how to position herself strategically as an applicant.

Student Spotlight: Vickie Chaimanont

After receiving rejection letters from vet schools, Vickie applied to the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Bac program to make her a more competitive applicant. Since completing the program, she says she's become a better version of herself and thus a better healthcare professional for those she will help in the future.

Student Spotlight: Gabby Lee

After taking six years off following her undergrad degree, Gabby Lee pursued the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Bac to help her fulfill her dreams of becoming a physician. See how the program helped her take the next steps toward achieving her goal.

Instructor Spotlight: Jennifer Rohrs

Viticulture consultant Jennifer Rohrs brings her background in plant ecology to the classroom. As an instructor in the Winemaking Certificate Program, she aims to anchor students in the biology of the vine itself and introduce them to all the interactions that happen in the vineyard.

Student Spotlight: Christopher Simon

As an adult learner, Christopher Simon has been taking continuing education classes since his early 40s, focusing on subjects that he overlooked in his younger days. He recently completed the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program to improve his understanding of the legal process and help him as a political science professor and researcher.

Career Outlook: GIS Specialists

Because GIS technologies are used in industries and organizations around the world, GIS specialists can find jobs in nearly every field, from urban planning and public utilities to real estate and gaming. Learn more about this career path and how you can get started in the field.

Student Spotlight: Jyotika Sharma

After moving to the United States, Jyotika Sharma discovered a new interest in computer programming. Looking to change fields from chemical engineering to computers, she decided to reskill with the help our Python for Data Analysis Professional Concentration.

Instructor Spotlight: Erez Powell

Erez Powell is a software engineer who has worked for multinational corporations, startups and everything in between. Most of his professional experiences stem from the digital games industry, reinforced by his work in educational technology and mobile app development. He joins CPE as an instructor in the Python for Data Analysis program.

Aggie Square Groundbreaking Moves CPE One Step Closer to New Sacramento Campus

UC Davis officially broke ground yesterday on Aggie Square, its planned innovation hub on the Sacramento campus at which CPE will be an anchor tenant. The collaborative venture between UC Davis, the City of Sacramento and private industry will house research programs, classrooms, partners and public-facing programs that engage local communities and entrepreneurs.

Brewing with Jon Hughes

Jonathan Hughes, director of brewing and sensory science at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, has extensive insight on the brewing industry and the experience and training necessary to be a part of it. Here’s a summary of our conversation on brewing trends and the direction of CPE’s Brewing Program.

UC Davis “Tapping Potential” Brewing Scholarship Winner Announced

Brewer Mariana da Silva Schneider was selected as the winner of the UC Davis "Tapping Potential” scholarship. The crowdfunded scholarship, designed to support diversity, leadership and cross-cultural understanding in the brewing industry, provides full enrollment into the prestigious online UC Davis Master Brewers Certificate Program.

How A3 Thinking Makes You a Stronger Leader

Part of being a strong leader is inspiring others to be problem solvers. In this article, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and instructor of the online course Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Sonia Singh shares her insights on how A3 Thinking, a Lean methodology and tool for problem solving, can help you improve your leadership skills.

Instructor Spotlight: Todd Rutherford

Todd Rutherford has more than 10 years of experience working in computer programming and is an expert on data science, cloud computing, software development, deep learning and data visualization. As an instructor in CPE’s Python for Data Analysis program, Rutherford is excited to help students become confident in performing fundamental Python programming skills.

Student Spotlight: Amanda Koeller

Amanda Koeller is the head brewer of Las Vegas Brewing Company and holds the title as the only female head brewer in Nevada. See how the Master Brewers Certificate Program helped her get there and what advice she has for other women looking to break into the industry.

Instructor Spotlight: Diane Davidson

Diane Davidson believes that leading with a service mindset, having strong communication skills and giving recognition and feedback are key attributes of a successful leader. As a leadership development consultant and an instructor for UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, Davidson has more than 25 years of experience training and coaching leaders.

Instructor Spotlight: Cathy Hoyle

Cathy Hoyle believes that understanding how our brain functions can help us better understand our triggers, reactions and behaviors. And she should know. Hoyle has led learning and organizational development programs for nearly 30 years and has more than 20 years of experience teaching management and leadership development in the corporate setting. She is currently an instructor for in our Leadership programs.

Instructor Spotlight: Tony Oliver

In his two decades of experience in a variety of roles, including project manager, business analyst and change management specialist, Tony Oliver has come to believe that listening is the most essential skill for facilitation. As an instructor for UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, he aims to instill in his students a passion for the subject matter and becoming a lifelong learner.

Student Spotlight: Olivia Virgadamo

A recent alum of the UC Davis Executive Leadership Program, Olivia Virgadamo says that the program helped her integrate her professional life with her personal one and understand the valuable role she can play as a leader.

Student Spotlight: Logan Jager

Logan Jager wasn’t always a brewer. He actually started his career in finance. But desiring to do something new that would have a positive impact on his community, he heard the call of brewing and answered. He is a graduate of the Master Brewers Certificate Program and the founder and head brewer of Western Flyer Brewing.

Instructor Spotlight: Al Pangelinan

In almost 30 years of providing programming services, Al Pangelinan has witnessed the rise of Python and the thriving community around it. In his course Introduction to Python Programming, he helps students understand the versatile language of Python and how it can prepare them for careers in almost any technical field.

Career Outlook: Construction Management

Construction managers coordinate and oversee construction projects of all kinds. With the job outlook expected to rise faster than average in the next decade, the construction industry will continue to be a vital part of the economy. Learn more about this in-demand career path and how you can get started in the field.

Instructor Spotlight: Demond Philson

Demond Philson is an attorney in employment law. He translated his love for learning into a passion for teaching, joining UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education as an instructor in the Human Resource Management Program. In his course, he provides students with a roadmap for navigating employment law issues that often come up in the workplace.

Student Spotlight: Amanda Nobbe

Amanda Nobbe is a senior formulation scientist at Burt's Bees (Clorox). When she took on an expanded role leading and training a cross-functional sensory panel team she knew she needed a strong fundamental understanding of sensory science, so she turned to the Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program to expand her knowledge.

Student Spotlight: Damariz Quezada

Despite having 14 years of construction industry experience under her belt, Damariz Quezada felt that in order to fully achieve her career goals, she needed a formal education in construction management. See how the Construction Management Certificate Program helped her achieve her full potential.

Career Outlook: Paralegal

Paralegals play an important role in the legal industry, working side-by-side with lawyers and performing multiple duties. Career outlook for paralegals is expected to skyrocket within the next decade. Learn more about this in-demand career path and how you can get started in the field.

Student Spotlight: Jonathan Bobadilla

Jonathan Bobadilla is an energy commission specialist with the California Energy Commission in Sacramento. He recently received a promotion after completing the Land Use and Environmental Planning Certificate Program at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE). Learn more about his experience in the program.

Advice from our alumni: How to become a winemaker

If you've been dreaming of a career in the wine industry, consider this advice from our alumni. Whether they were fulfilling a lifelong dream in retirement or changing careers, they all shared a passion for winemaking. See what they had to say about their journey and how the Winemaking Certificate Program helped them get there.

Student Spotlight: Perry Reyes

After a successful career in accounting, Perry Reyes decided to marry his love of wine with his experience in finance. He is currently the controller of accounting and finance at Korbel Winery. His experience in the OIV Wine Marketing Program gave him the foundation he needed to take the leap from CPA to wine business.

Student Spotlight: Batool Fatima

After 12 years of being a stay-at-home parent, Batool Fatima decided to build an entirely new career path for herself. She turned to UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education's Paralegal Studies Certificate Program to get the training she needed for a new start.

Student Spotlight: Noah Williams

Noah Williams began UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Human Resource Management Certificate Program in 2020 to open the door for a new career path. Now, as a newly appointed human resources coordinator at Bain & Company in San Francisco, Noah Williams is a fresh face in the HR world.

Career Outlook: Sensory and Consumer Science

Sensory and consumer science is the light that guides the way forward for businesses by investigating what consumers really want. There is a wide range of jobs that rely on sensory science, all of which involve understanding a product’s sensory experience to improve its quality. Learn more about this in-demand career path and how you can get started or advance in the field.

Student Spotlight: Nathan Trauernicht

Nathan Trauernicht is an experienced leader who understands the importance of innovation when it comes to managing and inspiring teams. As a graduate of the UC Davis Executive Leadership Program and the chief of the UC Davis Fire Department, Trauernicht provides overall leadership and direction to a department serving a population of more than 40,000.

Expanding Career Options for Underserved Communities

Sacramento Employment and Training Agency and UC Davis sign career pathway training agreement. Starting this February, economically disadvantaged Sacramento residents will be able to access scholarship-funded career training. The agreement focuses on teaching high-demand job skills in Business, Health Sciences, Technology, Sustainability and other fields that support the evolving needs of the region’s employers.

Career Outlook: Accounting

Accounting professionals are the fuel that keeps companies running. The profession offers a wide range of paths to follow, varying in industry, services and level of experience. Learn more about this in-demand career path and how you can get started in the field.

Career Outlook: Human Resources

The life of an HR professional is rarely monotonous. They keep their companies running smoothly and ensure a positive workplace environment. Learn more about this in-demand role and how you can get started in the field.

Student Spotlight: Dan Kruger

As the regional manager at Royal Electric, Dan Kruger has been in the construction industry for a long time. When he landed a few promotions, he decided to supplement his practical experience with UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Construction Management Certificate Program. 

Student Spotlight: John Funderburg

As a principal planner with the San Joaquin County Community Development Department, John Funderburg enjoys the challenge of managing large-scale development projects. Having taken a number of environmental resources classes at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, he recently decided to further expand his skill set and pursue the Land Use and Environmental Planning Certificate Program.

Meet Enrollment Coach Kristy Craig

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education is proud to welcome Kristy Craig, our new enrollment coach, to provide personalized support and program guidance to students as they navigate the enrollment process. Kristy has a passion for education and coaching and is looking forward to helping students achieve their goals through education and skill development.

CPE to Launch New Life Sciences Initiative at Aggie Square

CPE is pleased to announce the launch of the Life Sciences Workforce Training Collaborative—a proof-of-concept venture to devise and hone public-private partnerships for economic and talent development at Aggie Square. Phase I of this initiative is creation of a “middle skills” certificate in Cell and Gene Therapy, in collaboration with the UC Davis Stem Cell Program, community college partners and industry partners. Dr. Jen Greenier will lead the Collaborative.

Student Spotlight: Jenni Castro

With exposure to the construction business from so many different angles, Jenni Castro understood the nuances and niches within the industry. She chose Continuing and Professional’s Construction Management Program as a way to explore everything the industry has to offer and to supplement her degree in environmental science. 

3 Things You Should Know about Creating Beer Recipes

With a decade of experience in the brewing industry, Dan Weber, assistant brewing manager at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, knows a thing or two about crafting unique, quality beer. For Weber, the magic of brewing is in the process of marrying art with science to create a great recipe every time. These are skills any brewer needs to know, and it’s the focus of Weber’s new class Beer Recipe Development and Scaling: From Small to Large.

Student Spotlight: Kelin Bradley

Kelin Bradley has always had a passion for food and an interest in science. The Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program paved the way for Bradley, providing him with essential training and opening his eyes to a new field.

Student Spotlight: Vicky Udomvaranon

Despite earning an industrial hygiene degree in her home country of Thailand, Vicky Udomvaranon had never worked in health and safety—that is until six years later when she found herself stepping into the role of health, safety and environment specialist for her company. Her research for health and safety training courses led her to UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Workplace Health and Safety Manager Certificate Program.

Student Spotlight: Luz Inés Nieto

As a sensory coordinator with Griffith Foods in Monterrey Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Nieto needed to better understand consumer testing to help her excel at her job. As part of her professional development, her supervisor suggested she apply for UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program to advance her skill set. “Talking with colleagues from other Griffith units, they highly recommended this certificate to me,” Nieto said.

Online Course Format Doesn’t Diminish Learning and Networking: One Student’s Perspective

Amy Shuman entered the Professional Coaching Certificate Program in February, excited to spend the next five months in a classroom, getting to know her peers and instructors. But that’s not exactly how things went for the students in the Winter 2020 program. After the group met in-person for a few classes in February, all face-to-face meetings were canceled, and Amy and her peers found themselves looking at each other through their computer screens.

3 Steps for Creating an Ergonomic Workspace at Home

Is your remote workspace working for you? Regardless of how long you’ve been telecommuting, creating an ergonomic workstation is essential for your health and your productivity. Ergonomics in the Workplace instructor and founder of OneErgoNet.com, Susan Tingley, has three steps for creating an ergonomic workspace at home.

Instructor Spotlight: Bret Gwaltney

Bret Gwaltney worked for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for over 30 years, holding progressively responsible positions in health and safety. He served as a team leader, technical advisor and trainer for many investigations involving employees, third parties, fatalities and major property losses. In addition, Bret has 15 years of experience as a senior safety and health consultant specializing in companies with large unions. Now semi-retired, Bret spends his time traveling and teaching fellow health and safety professionals.

This is the HR certificate for early career professionals

Whether you’re new to human resource management or looking to enhance your expertise, HR professionals must be able to demonstrate foundational knowledge and practical application of effective practices. Our newly updated certificate provides the education and opportunities for skill development that today’s organizations require.

Land Use and Natural Resources Training Goes “Remote”

COVID-19 has changed business as usual, including how we deliver education. Our Land Use and Natural Resources classes have long been a go-to resource for the professional development of the region’s land use planners, environmental scientists, consultants, lawyers and more. But faced with sudden shutdowns, we, like everyone else, had to quickly adapt—moving our face-to-face instruction to remote learning.

Instructor Spotlight: Joann Hillenbrand

Joann Hillenbrand, CCIFP, is the Chief Financial Officer for Airco Mechanical, Inc., overseeing all aspects of company finances, including accounting and reporting, surety, banking, risk management and human resources. Joann has over 30 years’ experience in construction accounting and finance for both specialty contractors and general contractors.

What made you decide to get into teaching?

3 Reasons Why Malt is Important to Brewing

Beer is made from four main ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast. Of those four ingredients, malt is perhaps the most important. However, malt can be a somewhat overlooked ingredient in the brewing process. So, we reached out to Glen Fox, the Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting & Brewing Science at UC Davis, to find out just how important this ingredient really is.

Instructor Spotlight: Glen Fox

Glen Fox joined UC Davis in 2019 as the new Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting & Brewing Science. With a Ph.D. in the subject of barley genetics as it relates to barley and malt quality, Fox has conducted research with some of the world’s largest beer companies. He is an instructor in UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Master Brewers Certificate Program.

UC Partnership Expands Training Options for Working Professionals

UC Davis and UC Irvine are partnering to provide working professionals throughout the state with access to career training options of which they might otherwise be unaware. Each school shares information about select online educational programs on the other partner’s website, increasing exposure and driving enrollments.

Tips for Future-Proofing Your Career

Did you catch our “Future-Proof Your Career” Webinar Series? If you missed the series, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below are tips from career counseling expert Andrea Weiss highlighting key takeaways. Plus, we recorded the webinars, so you can still get the help you need to navigate this difficult job market.

Instructor Spotlight: Leslie Freeman

Leslie Freeman, MT(ASCP)SH, is a clinical laboratory scientist in hematology at UC Davis Health System with more than 25 years of experience. She is the hematology educational coordinator for the Clinical Lab Science Training Program at the UC Davis Medical Center and is the instructor of the online course Introduction to Clinical Hematology.

Dean Catron Named One of UC Davis' 55 "Remarkable Women"

Susan Catron, dean of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, was named to a list of “Remarkable UC Davis Women,” which was compiled as part of a celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the admission of women to the University of California. Catron is the division’s first female dean. The list, comprising 55 women, includes mayors, chief justices and astronauts, as well as UC Davis faculty and leadership, and others.

Student Spotlight: Sanne Poulsen

Sanne Poulsen had been working in agribusiness management and marketing when she moved to Marlborough—New Zealand’s wine country. After relocating, Poulsen made friends with people in the wine industry and became intrigued by the profession. Looking to invest in her education to balance the practical and technical skills, she found the UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Winemaking Certificate Program.

Instructor Spotlight: Leticia Chacon-Rodriguez

Leticia Chacon-Rodriguez is the new winemaker/winery manager for the Viticulture and Enology Department at UC Davis. With more than 20 years of wine production and management experience in the California wine industry, Chacon-Rodriguez is enchanted by the winemaking process and the science behind it. She teaches Wine Filtration Short Course.

Student Spotlight: Paul Adams

Paul Adams, director of Corporate Support and Underwriting at Capital Public Radio in Sacramento, is a seasoned leader with an understanding of how important good leadership is to the health of an organization. And so, when he asked himself, “How can I do better?” he turned to the UC Davis Executive Leadership Program for training.

Student Spotlight: Karen Mendoza

Karen Mendoza is Director of the Project Management Office at the California Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program.

What most stood out to you about this program?
The instructors were highly engaging and knowledgable about their subjects. My classmates were all great leaders in their fields, as well, and they added another level of enrichment to my learning experience.

Student Spotlight: Taruna Sanghi

Taruna Sanghi is a senior scientist in the Consumer Science Department with Mondelez India Foods Pvt Ltd in Mumbai, India. Sanghi worked in new product development for a decade before transitioning to consumer science. Inspired to expand her knowledge of sensory and consumer science, Sanghi decided to enroll in the Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program. “This program offered exactly the kind of content I was looking for.”

How to Turn Your Passion for Brewing Into a Career

Are you a beer enthusiast or an avid homebrewer? Have you ever wondered what it would take to become a professional brewer and actually make a living doing something you love? We spoke with three professional brewers, all UC Davis graduates and alumni of the Master Brewers Certificate Program at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, and an industry expert to find out how they translated their love for brewing into a successful career.

UC Davis Professor Emeritus Michael Lewis to be Recognized by National Museum of American History

Michael Lewis, professor emeritus of brewing science at the University of California, Davis, will be recognized by the National Museum of American History as one of the most transformational figures in the beer industry. As one of the founders of craft beer, Lewis’ 50+ year career was dedicated to the advancement of brewing, as well as training and mentoring new generations of brewers.

Student Spotlight: Gavan Ambrosini

Meet Coaching Certificate alumna Gavan Ambrosini, who took advantage of CPE's partnership with University of the Pacific to put her certificate credit toward a Master's in Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Innovation & Change from UOP.

Instructor Spotlight: Pat Greer

Pat Greer, MBA, has been working in the brewing industry for more than four decades. He recently retired from the corporate brewing world, where he traveled to more than 26 countries and managed all aspects of supply operations. “My career focused on enabling brew masters to make great beers,” says Greer.

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Online Beer Quality Series Offers High-quality, Convenient Brewing Education

The Online Beer Quality Series from the UC Davis Division of Continuing and Professional Education is the division’s first online brewing program, providing brewers worldwide access to world-renowned brewing knowledge. These courses are taught by distinguished UC Davis professor emeritus, Charlie Bamforth, Ph.D., D.Sc, the “pope of foam,” an internationally acclaimed brewing expert with more than 40 years of experience in the brewing industry.

Instructor Spotlight: Paul Martin

Paul Martin is a LEED-accredited professional and has over 25 years of preconstruction and estimating experience. Martin has been teaching for CPE since 2006, and during this time has witnessed a lot of changes both in the Construction Management program and the industry at large.

Instructor Spotlight: Hitesh Dewan

Hitesh Dewan is an experienced construction and technology operations manager, with over 10 years in the construction industry. Hitesh has built a reputation for developing and implementing company-wide initiatives that help departments improve their process flow and potential. With a demonstrated history of working across a variety of market sectors in the construction industry, Hitesh is often invited to be a guest speaker or lecturer for various industry organizations and technology panels, including DBIA, CFMA, SRBX and more.

Instructor Spotlight: Derek Gallanosa

Derek Gallanosa began his career in the brewing industry as a passionate homebrewer. “The fact that you can make your own beer at home blew my mind,” he said. “I took every opportunity to make a new batch of beer at home and after a couple of years, I knew I wanted to pursue brewing as a career.” Now he has more than nine years of professional brewing experience under his belt.

Instructor Spotlight: Nichola Hall

Nichola Hall is the newest instructor for UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Winemaking Certificate Program. She will be teaching the third course in the program, Quality Control and Analysis in Winemaking. Hall is currently a staff scientist for Scott Laboratories in Petaluma, Calif. and a co-winemaker for Mathew Bruno Wines in Rutherford, Calif.

Student Spotlight: Carmel Gacho

Moving across an ocean is daunting enough, but starting a new career in a new country was a task Carmel Gacho was more than capable of undertaking. Keeping her interest in health and safety in mind, a schoolmate from Manila recommended she take the Workplace Health and Safety Manager Certificate Program to help jump start her career here in the U.S.

Career Education Has a New Address

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Moves its Classrooms to One Capitol Mall

 

Starting July 15th, the Sacramento classrooms of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (formerly UC Davis Extension) will be moving from the Sutter Square Galleria in midtown to the heart of the city – One Capitol Mall in Downtown Sacramento. The move is the result of a region-wide search for classroom space that addresses the unique educational needs of working professionals.

Employer Spotlight: Julia Tyrpin, Griffith Foods

As part of its professional development opportunities, Griffith Foods has been sending its employees to UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program since 2002. “Sensory is one of our greatest competitive advantages in the market,” said Julia Tyrpin, senior sensory manager with Griffith Foods. “All Griffith sensory scientists are encouraged to complete the program.”

Student Spotlight: Martha Castaño

After more than 12 years of working in sensory and consumer science, Martha Castaño believes that she made the best decision of her life to pursue a career in the industry. “I bet on my passion,” she said, and applied for CPE's Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program.

Student Spotlight: Jessica Johnson

Juggling a variety of tasks at the same time was never an issue for Jessica Johnson, a facilities and housing specialist for a community services organization in Northern California. But when she wanted to become a project manager, her CEO suggested she enroll in UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Project Management Certificate Program.

Student Spotlight: Karen Meistas

Karen Meistas has worked in the construction industry for 25 years. After a workplace accident and a meeting with an OSHA consultant, she decided to pursue an education in health and safety with CPE's Workplace Health and Safety Manager Certificate Program.

Student Spotlight: Ben Campbell

When Ben Campbell’s job brought him to Sacramento, he decided he liked it enough to make it his permanent home. However, he was working in the tech industry, and he wanted a position in the environmental sciences.

Instructor Spotlight: Pat Henderson

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Winemaking Certificate Program has a new faculty member. Pat Henderson will be teaching three of the five courses in the program: Wine Production, Quality Control and Wine Stability. Henderson is the owner/proprietor of About Wine Consulting and has a degree in fermentation science from UC Davis.

Employer Spotlight: Marcia Young, Mondelez International

Mondelez International is one of the world’s largest snacks companies with more than 70 brands and approximately 80,000 employees. Marcia Young, the company’s senior director of consumer science, has been sending people annually to UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program since its inception.

Student Spotlight: Richard McClellan

“It’s a landscaping project that got completely out of control,” says Richard McClellan, owner of Highland Hills Vineyard and Winery in Ramona, Calif., when asked about how he got into the wine industry. His “project” is a family affair that has grown into a successful boutique winery that produces 500-750 cases of estate wine each year.

Accounting Student Reviews

Terri Taylor

"If I had to do it again, I’d choose UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. No question."

More Student Reviews Elvamae F. Bolano, Sr. Accountant, ALPHA Fund

"These courses supplied a strong foundation to advance my career and opened an opportunity to channel myself with an excellent group of people. The courses fit perfectly into my life as a parent and working professional."

Student Spotlight: Terri Taylor

Wanting a program that would work with her schedule, teach practical skills and provide a good return on her investment, Terri Taylor found what she was looking for in UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Accounting Program.

Instructor Spotlight: Bill Mead

A Pioneer in Web Design

Bill Mead, M.Ed., started building websites in the mid-1990s…way back when the internet was just beginning to dip its toe into everyday life. “I saw the web—and web design—as an amazing field with lots of opportunity for expression, even in the very early years,” he said. 

Student Spotlight: Sam Hartwell

Following a successful 30-year active duty and reserve career in the Army—which included time served in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as intelligence support for special ops—Sam Hartwell retired as a colonel and was ready for a different kind of “action” in his life.

Member Spotlight: Gail Yokote

“Since I’ve been introduced to OLLI it’s been great,” says Gail Yokote. A member of OLLI at UC Davis for only a year, she is already volunteering as the interim secretary for the OLLI Board of Directors.

Student Spotlight: Richard Krumwiede

As a landscape architect, Richard Krumwiede, now winemaker/viticulturist at Sycamore Ranch Vineyard & Winery, always enjoyed visiting the grounds of the many wineries he worked on. In 2007, he decided to plant a zinfandel vineyard on his own property after a beetle infestation killed off the native pines. As the vineyard developed, he began making wine, further cultivating his interest in viticulture and winemaking.

Instructor Spotlight: David Pardes

David Pardes, M.S., MBA, a tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Francisco, brings 12 years of wine industry experience, and a bit of humor, to his decade’s-long career of teaching finance, accounting and taxation to vineyard and winery owners and executives.

Student Spotlight: Amy LaBelle

4,083 days. That’s how long it took for Amy LaBelle to realize her dream of making wine full-time. She began her career as a corporate attorney, but five years into practicing law, she realized she had missed her calling. From that moment, until the day she opened the doors of her winery, she did something every day to move her dream forward, and now she is the founder and winemaker of the award-winning LaBelle Winery in Amherst, NH.

Student Spotlight: Lauren Woods Salazar

Meet Lauren Woods Salazar, New Belgium’s wood cellar director and blender, otherwise known as the company’s chief curator. Salazar is also a graduate of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s world-renowned Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program.

Instructor Spotlight: Rebecca Bleibaum

Rebecca N. Bleibaum, instructor and co-founder of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program, has been passionate about sensory science since discovering it as a student at UC Davis. Since that time, she has worked alongside pioneers in the field and around the world, focusing on turning academic concepts into applied sensory research.

Instructor Spotlight: Janet Mahrle

We sat down with instructor Janet Mahrle, Professional Certified Coach and owner of Mahrle Coaching Services, to talk about her popular course, Conversational Intelligence®: Strategies for Effective Conversations. Read what she had to say about the impact of making conversations more effective. 

Instructor Spotlight: Dawn Karner

What it means to be a ‘leader’ is changing. That’s according to Dawn Karner, a coach, trainer and leadership consultant who teaches our three-day course, Leading Through Emotional Intelligence and Coaching. Karner feels that the ‘soft skills’ she teaches have become essential qualities in today’s leaders.

Interim Dean's Message

The New Year is a time to be reflective of what we’ve accomplished and, perhaps more importantly, where we’re headed in service of our mission to make education accessible. There’s been no shortage of predictions this month about what’s to come. In this brief article, I share a few of the most intriguing stories to hit the wire this month.

Governor's Budget Proposed $15M for UC Extensions

Gavin Newsom’s recent budget proposed $15M one-time General Fund for UC Extensions to support expanded degree completion and certification programs. The UC Extension deans are in consultation with UCOP on strategies for funding allocation.

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CPE Dean Joins UPCEA Board of Directors

CPE Interim Dean Susan Catron has been named to the Board of Directors of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), the premier association for professional, continuing and online education. Catron was newly elected for a two-year term along with the deans of Harvard and University of Washington. Nelson Baker, dean of Georgia Tech will serve as President.

“Membership on UPCEA’s Board of Directors affords an incredible opportunity to liaise with national leaders in continuing, professional and online education,” Catron said.

Interim Dean's Message

In a fast-moving, knowledge economy, lifelong education is the currency for career resilience and advancement. At UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, lifetime career education for part-time and non-traditional learners is what we do. As the centralized campus hub for workforce development, we bridge the time between and beyond formal degrees to create a more seamless pipeline for learning across a potentially 60-year career span.

CPE Trends

On-Ramps and Off-Ramps: Alternative Credentials and Emerging Pathways Between Education and Work

The college degree remains the best ticket to a rewarding career and the middle class. Yet, traditional degree pathways alone cannot meet the lifetime education needs of adult learners who will require nimble, skill-based credentials to stay relevant in a dynamic economy.

MOOC Spotlight

UC Davis on Coursera Reaches 500K Learners Globally

In the last three years, UC Davis has taught more than half a million students from around the world on Coursera's global platform. Since the fall of 2015, CPE has partnered with Coursera to offer Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), bringing high-quality distance education that is accessible to a worldwide audience of 35 million adult learners.

Sponsored Activity Reaches New Heights

CPE garnered $19 million in external funding in fiscal year 2017-2018, raising the organization's overall sponsored program commitments to more than $34 million. This funding supports training and evaluation services for local, state and federal agencies in the workforce development arena.