FYAC group in arboretum

About Us

The First-Year Aggie Connections program aims to foster opportunities that will empower students as they navigate their first-year at UC Davis. The Planning Committee offers the following program goals and learning outcomes which are intended to illustrate the breadth of learning experiences that support student success as well as personal growth and development in the first year.

Note: These learning outcomes are not intended to be prescriptive; rather, they are provided in order to give students and staff a guide for the kinds of knowledge, skills, and attitudes the Planning Committee feels are crucial to succeeding at UC Davis.

Program goals:

  • Engage students around a common purpose or theme
  • Connect students with people and campus resources
  • Help students explore career and academic interests
  • Introduce students to campus culture and traditions
  • Aid students in building social connections

Learning outcomes to be achieved through Connection meetings:

  • Students will learn the demands of a research university and understand what is expected of them as UC Davis scholars.
  • Students will learn the value of diversity in the learning environment.
  • Students will be able to identify the advising resources on campus and understand the roles and responsibilities of students and advisers in the advising relationship.
  • Students will understand that achieving academic success requires investing and engaging in diverse skill development such as time management, goal setting, active reading, critical thinking and note taking.

Learning outcomes to be achieved through First-Year Aggie Connections program events:

  • Students will be able to articulate potential pathways to employment or graduate/professional school and will engage with on-campus resources where they can seek help related to career and post-graduate planning.
  • Students will be able to identify and will explore on-campus resources related to financial literacy, health and wellness.
  • Students will participate in UCD events that serve as opportunities for community building, social networking, and connecting to “Aggie” campus culture.

For more information, email aggieconnect@ucdavis.edu.

FYAC Staff

Rachel Bingham portrait

Rachel Bingham

  • Interim Director
  • Transitional and Enrichment Programs and Services

Rachel is the Interim Director of Transitional and Enrichment Programs and Services. She is passionate about supporting first-year, transfer, and international students as they transition to life at UC Davis and navigate their first year. Rachel has a background in retention programming, student leadership, strengths-based youth development, and working with community college students. She is a first-generation college graduate and an alumna of UC Davis.

Picture of Alondra Ochoa

Alondra Ochoa

  • Advisor
  • Transitional and Enrichment Programs and Services

Alondra is the Transitional and Enrichment Programs and Services Advisor, which includes being the First-Year Aggie Connections Program Advisor. She is a first-generation UC Davis Alumna with a passion for supporting students throughout their academic careers at UC Davis, and aims to give students the resources and outlets they need to succeed not only on campus, but beyond. 

FYAC Student Staff

Erica Huey

Erica Huey

  • Student Coordinator, First-Year Aggie Connections

Erica is the student coordinator for First-Year Aggie Connections, part of Transitional and Enrichment Programs and Services. She is a second year Aggie studying Biological Sciences. During her time at UC Davis, Erica was a mentee in the BioLaunch FYAC. She has also been involved in BUSP and the Linda Frances Alexander Scholarship Program. She is excited to build on her communication, event planning, and analytical skills as the FYAC student coordinator.