Giving Priorities

Dean’s Excellence Fund

The Dean's Excellence Fund within the UCI School of Social Ecology serves as a flexible, unrestricted source of financial support. This fund enables the Dean to swiftly respond to emerging needs and opportunities that enhance the educational experience and community engagement of students. Specifically, the fund supports initiatives such as:

• Research and Learning Assistantships: Providing high-achieving students with opportunities to assist faculty in research and teaching, thereby gaining valuable academic experiences.
• Advanced Field Study Programs: Offering in-depth, three-quarter-long field study experiences focused on addressing community issues through civic engagement.
• Community Engagement Awards: Recognizing students who demonstrate both scholarly achievement and active participation in community service.

Through these initiatives, the Dean's Excellence Fund plays a crucial role in fostering academic excellence, community involvement, and the overall development of students within the School of Social Ecology.

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Field Study/PIPEline Undergrad Career Preparation

The Career PIPEline (Preparation in Postbaccalaureate Employment) program is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional success. Building upon the School's signature Field Study program, which has been a cornerstone of experiential education since 1970, the Career PIPEline enhances students' readiness for post-graduation employment by providing comprehensive career preparation and networking opportunities.

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UCI OC Poll

On a semiannual basis, the OC Poll provides unimpeachable, reliable data in Orange County on salient issues of public concern. Rather than a static measure of public opinion, we leverage the poll and UCI's position in Orange County to engage leaders in business, government, and the community to discuss and apply the findings from the poll, seeking to ensure that the results are used to move Orange County forward.

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Nonprofit Accelerator

Southern California has fostered a culture of philanthropy. Nearly 65,000 nonprofit organizations are based here, their annual donations totaling in the billions. But, how effective or efficient are those donations? Recipients are often able to describe their outputs – the programs they sponsored or the services they provided – but few can identify the barriers and catalysts around their program implementation, and even fewer are able to measure, report, and compare outcomes. Recognizing that many nonprofit organizations lack the expertise and resources to conduct evidence-based evaluation, faculty and researchers at UC Irvine's School of Social Ecology provide training, consulting, and technical assistance in programmatic assessment. The UC Irvine team is both experienced and knowledgeable about how to use, teach, and implement such practices, and they regularly work with nonprofit groups, practitioners, funders, and area leaders.

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Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change

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Psychological Science Department

The Department of Psychological Science is a pioneering force in understanding human behavior across diverse contexts.

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Young Adult Court

This court is redefining justice by offering first-time felony offenders, ages 18 to 25, a path toward accountability, healing, and redemption. Through mental health services, substance use treatment, educational support, and employment assistance, the Young Adult Court (YAC) doesn't just reduce recidivism — it transforms lives. Your philanthropic support can provide the essential wraparound services that help participants overcome real barriers — like stable housing, transportation, food insecurity, and access to counseling. It can help expand the program to serve more young people who are at a pivotal crossroads. And, it can support UC Irvine's groundbreaking research that proves what we already believe: that with the right support, people can change. When you give to YAC, you're restoring futures, strengthening communities, and advancing a smarter, more compassionate model of justice.

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Psychological Services Center

Affordable, quality mental health services are often out of reach, especially for underserved communities. Our goal at the PSC is to break down barriers and deliver care that transforms lives. With support from campus and community partners, the PSC officially opened its doors in February 2024. It serves a diverse population and provides mental health care that is compassionate and grounded in science. With your support, we can continue to grow our impact, developing outstanding clinicians and making care accessible for all. Your support helps us make a difference in two powerful ways:

1. Expanding Access to Care: Many in our community struggle to find affordable therapy. Your donation helps subsidize low-cost, high-quality services for those in need.
2. Advancing Clinical Education: Our doctoral students gain real-world experience serving diverse populations. Your support ensures their training is comprehensive, ethical and evidence-based.

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