In 2017, the United Nations Academic Impact, in partnership with Millennium Campus Network, launched the UN Millennium Fellowship, a selective undergraduate leadership development program that engages students in creating more awareness of and action upon the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at universities worldwide. Program survey data indicates that about 75% of alumni follow a professional path in social impact careers.

Through the Global Learning Hub, within Global Affairs, UC Davis supported undergraduate students to apply, reflecting the university’s goal to engage all UC Davis students in global learning.

This is one of many programs administered through the Global Learning Hub that offer students the opportunity to learn about and take action on global challenges and build the capacity to collaborate equitably across cultural and geographic boundaries.

UC Davis has acquired the status of a Millennium Fellowship Campus Hub, with 23 fellows part of the 2021 class, recognized as some of the most promising young leaders in the world.

Chancellor May recently congratulated the 2021 cohort of Millennium Fellows:

“I'm thrilled to see our students’ enthusiasm in engaging with our campus initiative of Global Education for All, a goal to provide all UC Davis students with global learning experiences that change their lives and our world. These student leaders will engage our campus and community in exciting ways as they pursue projects related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The projects include improving public schoolyards, planning environmental justice conferences, developing a student-led startup accelerator and more. I send my best wishes to these dynamic students and look forward to seeing the impacts they make in the years to come.”

Benefits:

• Certificate of recognition from United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and Millennium Campus Network
• Training and coaching
• Valuable leadership experience
• Network of worldwide leaders
• Experience in community social change
• Access to an international community platform (7,000+ peers from over 300 Universities in 50+ countries) 

2021 Millennium Fellowship in Numbers:

• Applications submitted worldwide: 25,000+
• Millennium Fellows selected: 2,000+
• Hosting university campuses: 136 (just 6% of the total who applied)
• Campuses: 2,200+
• Nations represented: 30
• UC Davis Fellows: 23

Environmental Justice at UC Davis

The UC Davis Millennium Fellows have been working hard since August 2021 on projects that will push sustainability and environmental education forward, such as Environmental Justice at UC Davis, focused on implementing substantial environmental justice policy for the UC campus to adopt in the near future. By hosting a public conference of UC Davis faculty members, environmental justice professionals and students, Environmental Justice at UC Davis is creating a collaborative space on campus for urgent conversations regarding climate change and environmentalism—an important reminder to all of us at UC Davis that change can happen right here in our community.

Mental Wellness by My State of Mind at UC Davis

Focusing on proper mental health resources and education, Mental Wellness by My State of Mind at UC Davis aims to host an online conference event and fundraiser for distributing mental health-related care packages to members of our community. With a fundraising goal of $2,000, Mental Wellness by My State of Mind at UC Davis hopes to provide mental health resources to anyone living in Davis, regardless of their socio-economic status. Maintaining a strong relationship with SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, this fellowship project firmly believes healthier communities bring more sustainable living methods.

Careful Crossways

While some projects may focus on on-campus issues, the Careful Crossways Project aims to reduce the destruction of native wildlife by advocating for wildlife infrastructure to be built in the San Francisco Bay Area. With an emphasis on SDG 15: Life on Land, the Careful Crossways Project is eager to educate local communities on the benefits of wildlife infrastructure by hosting public presentations in the Bay Area. The Careful Crossways Project also aims to engage with local government officials in the future to not only approve infrastructure policy, but also help in the fight towards environmental preservation.

Individual Projects

The Fellows are also working on individual projects to advance the SDGs and United Nations Academic Impact principles. Their objective is to contribute to the progress of youth-driven sustainability initiatives and student leadership. Alexandria Tillett-Miller, for example, is working on a project called Education for the Built Environment, whose goal is to create sustainable housing guides in the greater Davis community. With community resilience and sustainable consumption in mind, Education for the Built Environment is an ambitious project ready to tackle climate change through community action. 

Andy Li is currently working on a project called The Student Venture Accelerator to connect student entrepreneurs on campus to help amplify ideas and find a like-minded community.

“I think the beauty of this initiative is that it aims to inspire long term action in the future that continues to sustain the UN SDGs we are currently working on and attaining so many resources to learn about,” says Macy Lee, a third-year psychology and international relations major and this year’s Millennium Fellow Campus director. “I appreciate how we can also connect with so many young people on this journey from around the world, making our work sustainable to Davis and beyond.”

2021 UC Davis UN Millennium Fellows and Projects

---

About the Global Learning Hub at UC Davis

Through the Global Learning Hub, each and every UC Davis student can find global learning opportunities available on campus, in the region, virtually, and internationally. The Hub offers global learning programs, workshops, and resources that enhance all UC Davis students’ academic and career pursuits through four broad areas of opportunities: Community Engagement; Global Skills and Leadership; Internships and Research; and Study Abroad. UC Davis is committed to preparing the next generation of global problem solvers and change makers. As such, we aim to prepare our undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to solve global challenges collaboratively, equitably, and sustainably.

As a part of Global Affairs, the Global Learning Hub aims to inspire global curiosity, understanding, and engagement.