The UC LEADS (University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees) program identifies, encourages, and trains undergraduates who have potential for leadership as graduate students and also as future leaders committed to address the educational and economical factors leading to underrepresentation of domestic minorities in STEM fields. The UC LEADS program provides students with tools that prepare them to meet California’s continuing scientific, economic, and social challenges. UC LEADS scholars are empowered with research experience, advanced educational credentials and leadership skills. UC LEADS undergraduates prepare themselves to earn Ph.D.s in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields offered by the University of California. UC LEADS scholars, as future leaders, will be:
- Able to function with vision and sensitivity in a diverse society to lead others in creating an environment that meets the needs of a diverse workforce;
- Able to assist the State through the creation of new knowledge, industries, and development of a technically competent workforce;
- Ready to assist in preparing future generations of students in the STEM fields at the University of California and reach out to the diverse talent pool that is available within the State of California;
- Able to provide leadership in addressing the underrepresentation of domestic minorities in STEM fields; and
- Able to assume future leadership roles in industrial, governmental, and academic positions.
