Overview
The UC Davis Widening Circles program is a fully-funded program that provides UC Davis students (undergraduate and graduate) the opportunity to engage in an online curriculum focused on ethical global engagement and social change and to be paired with an Omprakash mentor to support their journey throughout the program. Students will join a shared online learning platform for ongoing critical dialogue and reflection while exploring the complexities of striving for justice across differences of culture and power.
In addition, students have the option to find and engage in socially-oriented volunteer internships—either abroad or at home—to pair alongside the curriculum. The program can support existing commitments or guide students towards exciting new opportunities for engagement.
The program includes an online curriculum, guidance from experienced mentors, peer-to-peer learning, personal reflection, multimedia storytelling and the option to pursue a virtual or in-person internship from a global network of 200+ social impact organizations.
This program will be taking place during Summer 2025 through a collaboration with Omprakash, a Seattle-based global non-profit.
Program Structure
This program combines the following core elements:
- The EdGE Classroom, where students will engage with curated content, peer-to-peer discussion, and a structure for exploring and engaging in critical reflection and dialogue.
- Periodic discussions groups where students will process learnings alongside fellow students and EdGE Mentors. All discussions will be held on Zoom.
- A digital storytelling platform where students will document their experiences, share ongoing reflections, and ultimately build a multimedia Digital Portfolio.
- Ongoing engagement with a personal EdGE Mentor—asynchronously within the classroom, and also on intermittent 1:1 calls.
- Option to pursue a remote, in-person or hybrid social impact internship, volunteer experience or research opportunity with an Omprakash Partner or through their own networks.
- Access to travel grant opportunity to support in-person travel expenses.
Important Travel Information
If you anticipate utilizing the award funds for international travel, please review the UC Davis Travel Policy (UCD PPM, 300-32). Per UC Davis policy, all international travel on university business must be registered. Travel registration is an important risk management tool. If an emergency occurs in your travel destination, this is how your campus Risk Management will know where you are. You can pre-register travel through UC Away. Please see the UC Davis Travel Risk and Insurance site for further information.
Eligibility
All UC Davis undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for the program.
Program Timeline
- Program Dates: June 23–August 22, 2025
SUMMER 2025 PROGRAM | DATES |
|---|---|
| Pre-Program Orientation Call | Tuesday, June 3 at 12:00 p.m. |
| Unit 1 (Pre-program Information) Deadline | Sunday, June 22 |
| Program Start | Monday, June 23 |
| Unit 2 Deadline | Friday, July 4 |
| Unit 2 Discussion Group Call | Tuesday, July 8 at 12:00 p.m. |
| Unit 3 Deadline | Friday, July 18 |
| Unit 3 Discussion Group Call | Tuesday, July 22 at 12:00 p.m. |
| Unit 4 Deadline | Friday, August 1 |
| Unit 4 Discussion Group Call | Tuesday, August 5 at 12:00 p.m. |
| Unit 5 Deadline | Wednesday, August 20 |
| Final Digital Symposium | Thursday, August 21 at 12:00 p.m. |
| Program End | Friday, August 22 |
Application Process
- Undergraduate Students: apply through the UC Davis Widening Circles Undergraduate Funding.
- Graduate Students: apply through the Global Grad Grant.
- Applications open: January 6, 2025.
- Applications close: March 16, 2025.
Contact Information
Chelsey Hawes
Experiential and Intercultural Programs Coordinator
Global Learning Hub, Global Affairs
chawes@ucdavis.edu