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Special Programs

ACE Social Ecology

Advanced Field Study

Research and Learning Assistants

Social Ecology Honors Program

Social Ecology Excellence in Research Distinction

Additional Information

For information about the School of Social Ecology's other programs, please visit our website: Student Information Resource Page

 

ACE Social Ecology

ACE Social Ecology is an innovative retention and peer mentoring program in the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine. Launched in Fall 2011, the program promotes academic excellence, leadership development, and community engagement to serve the school’s diverse, first-year and transfer student population. Since 2011, the program has positively impacted over 200 mentees and 60 peer mentors. A few former mentees in the program have become peer mentors in the program, while many have pursued on-campus leadership opportunities, while maintaining solid GPAs. Students attest their accomplishments during their first year at UCI and beyond due to their participation in the ACE Social Ecology Program.

The ACE Social Ecology Program offers many benefits to participants. To be eligible, you must be a new student (freshman or transfer) in the School of Social Ecology.

WHAT BENEFITS DO I GET AS A MENTEE?

*Receive mentorship from a trained upper-division student during your first year.

*Develop and expand your peer network through participation in service-learning projects and community-building activities.

*Participate in special workshops on topics such as time management, leadership development, campus and community resources, diversity and social justice issues, applying for scholarships, and stress management. Meet and connect with faculty, staff, and administrators who will serve as workshop presenters and facilitators.

*Obtain access to the Excellence Lab, a 24-hour study and lounge space in Social Ecology II.

Have questions? E-mail: Lisardy Velasco, ACE Program Coordinator

 


Advanced Field Study

Advanced Field Study provides a small number of students an in-depth, three-quarter Field Study experience primarily focused on addressing issues and challenges in the community through civic engagement. 

To learn more click here


Research and Learning Assistants

High-achieving students can seek opportunities as research assistants on faculty research projects and as learning assistants in Social Ecology courses.  Financial support is provided through a donor gift to the Dean's Excellence Fund to Enhance Undergraduate Education. Through engaged research and teaching, participating students gain  valuable experiences interacting with faculty around research and teaching.  If you are interested, reach out directly to your faculty about wanting to be a research assistant or learning assistant. 

-Research Assistant (RA) and Learning Assistant (LA) positions have been temporarily approved as Field Study placements for the 2021-2022 Academic School Year. 

-The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), housed within the Office of the Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning, assists undergraduate students from ANY academic discipline to find research and creative on-campus opportunities with UCI faculty, or off-campus opportunities with industrial partners, national labs, and other universities. 
Check out their How to Get Involved in Research handout here.

Social Ecology Honors Program

SE Honors is an opportunity for students to work closely with faculty on research, while learning best practices of research design, data collection and the presentation of findings. 

This program is a year commitment, three-quarter long course sequence for Social Ecology seniors who are conducting thesis projects.

SE Honors participants present their projects in the Spring during the symposium with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

To learn more click here


 

Social Ecology Excellence in Research Distinction

The School of Social Ecology has developed the Excellence in Research Program to provide students with an opportunity to gain advanced research experience in a structured two-year program that includes a three quarter participation in the School of Social Ecology’s Honors Seminar.

To learn more click here