Dec. 2, 2025

A brilliant rainbow stretches against a calm blue sky and scattered clouds. (Photo by Steve Zylius / UC Irvine)

UC IRVINE NEWS

School launches only University of California MPA

UC Irvine is the only campus in the UC system to offer a Master of Public Administration degree program. Applications are being accepted for the two-year, online professional program that aims to develop leaders in the management of public and nonprofit organizations, according to MPA Director Nicola Ulibarri, an associate professor of urban planning & public policy. “Even though we are a new program, our school has a very vast alumni network working in the public and nonprofit sector from our other master’s degrees and from our Ph.D. programs,” said Ulibarri. “As a student, you know you’re not entering a blank space. We have this great network that students can draw on.”

APPE and preceptor fair

In this video, UC Irvine student pharmacists visited with preceptors to connect and learn about local health systems and pharmacies, gaining insight into each site’s Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. Preceptors described a day in the life of a student pharmacist and provided information about the practice site, including areas of specialty, patient populations and special projects.

Fuel for healthy aging

One of the keys to unlocking healthy aging starts with what’s on your plate. For older adults, and really everyone, incorporating superfoods into daily meals is a smart and simple way to promote long-term wellness. But what exactly are they? "While the term sounds heroic, it simply refers to whole, minimally processed foods that are packed with essential nutrients," says Katie Rankell, registered dietitian and director of the UCI Health weight management program.

UC NEWS

The Society of Hellman Fellows celebrates 30 years

Celebrating its 30th year, the Society of Hellman Fellows – created to support promising assistant professors who show capacity for great distinction in their chosen fields, from the arts and humanities to social sciences and STEM – has supported thousands of junior faculty across UC’s 10 campuses. Notable UC Hellman alums include Steve Mahler, UC Irvine professor of neurobiology and behavior, who studies the causes of opioid addiction. For the 2025-26 cohort of Hellman Fellows, eight assistant professors from UC Irvine were selected.

#IamUCI

Economics for social good

Cassie Zhang, an economics graduate student, aims to help consumers and support students. Zhang’s desire to help others stems from her own difficult transition as an international student. “What truly sets Cassie apart is her commitment to lifting others up, through both her dedication to supporting and mentoring fellow students and her focus on research that serves the public good,” said Jiawei Chen, associate professor of economics and Zhang’s thesis advisor. “She exemplifies the kind of scholar-citizen we hope to cultivate: intellectually rigorous, socially engaged and deeply committed to using her expertise to make a positive impact.”

#UCIconnected spotlights interesting updates from the UC Irvine community. #IamUCI spotlights profiles of students, faculty, staff and alumni. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected or #IamUCI hashtags.

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