Students will bring insightful questions — and perspectives — to meetings with senior campus leaders this fall as the UC Davis Leadership Job Shadow Program continues for a fourth academic quarter.

The program is accepting online applications through Sept. 27 for 16 opportunities to spend a day with a leader during fall quarter.

Participants will include Chancellor Gary S. May, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter, vice chancellors, a vice provost, deans and other administrators.

Their responsibilities represent diverse areas of the university including the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, human resources, communications, athletics, legal affairs, health care administration and more.

Teddy Cruz, who graduated in June with a bachelor’s degree in economics, is among the more than 100 students who have participated in the program since it began in 2018. Paired with May this past spring, she attended meetings with staff assembly and graduate student leaders and accompanied him to a luncheon thanking some of those who helped make Picnic Day happen.

“I truly enjoyed receiving a behind-the-scenes look at what Chancellor May works on and accomplishes on a day-to-day basis, as well as his goals for the university and projects such as Aggie Square,” she shared in a social media post.

May launched the job shadow program to offer students insight into the complexity and challenges of running a top 10 research university. In a letter on the application website, he highlights how administrators value the experience, too. “Campus leaders also gain an opportunity to hear students’ perspectives and ideas,” he said.

Joanna Regulska, vice provost and associate chancellor for Global Affairs, has hosted a student through the program, met other participants and is enthusiastic about being shadowed again this fall.

“We know from last year that this is a terrific opportunity for not only our students but for our entire campus,” she said. “My student shadow gained a lot from being exposed to Global Affairs on campus, and my colleagues and I continue to learn a lot from her.

“It was great, and we look forward to hosting more students this year!” Regulska added.

The job shadow program is open to any currently enrolled UC Davis undergraduate or graduate student interested in learning about the university and its structure.

An online form asks applicants for brief information about their career goals, why they are interested in the experience, and what student organizations or campus service they are involved in.

Successful applicants must commit to shadowing the administrator for the designated time and sharing their experience with other students — by speaking to a class or student group, or discussing it through social media, for example.

The students will learn who they will shadow when they attend a now mandatory orientation session in early October. They’ll also get tips on making the most of the opportunity and suggestions for ways they can share their experiences with other students.