Student Success Stories

UC Davis Executive Leadership Program Graduate Paul Adams headshot

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.
Project Management Certificate Program grad Karen Mendoza headshot

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.

UC Davis Sensory Science and Consumer Testing Certificate Program grad Taruna Sanghi poses in office with laptop

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.”
Brennan Fleming at his bar with beer

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.
Professional Coaching Certificate and MAOLE grad Gavan Ambrosini headshot

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.
Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program graduate Martha Castaño headshot

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.
Project Management Certificate Program graduate Jessica Johnson headshot

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.
Geographic Information Systems Professional Concentration grad Ben Campbell headshot

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.

Accounting CPA Exam Track Certificate Program grad Terry Taylor

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.
Master Brewers Program Grad Sam Hartwell

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.
OLLI member Merrie Callinan

Member Spotlight: Merrie Callinan

Merrie Callinan has been an OLLI member for 10 years, most recently with OLLI at UC Davis. After serving as a middle school resource specialist for students with learning differences, Callinan is now the student.
OLLI member Gail Yokote

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.
Winemaking Certificate grad Richard Krumwiede

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.
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