November is here and winter is closer. The weather has gotten cooler, and the nights start earlier, but campus is active, and our students are halfway through the fall quarter. Especially after the pandemic years, there’s something revitalizing about having our students on campus. Whether they’re studying for an exam on the couches in the Green Hall lobby or having a discussion section in the courtyard, their presence is always welcome.

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 8 and I encourage you to get out and vote. Campus has prepared resources and helpful tools for Aggies (and non-Aggies) to ensure they have what they need to participate in this critical element of our nation. You can find voting information here.

Veteran’s Day is also around the corner. On Friday, November 11 I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the contributions of our servicemen and women. For veterans and their families who are a part of the UC Davis community, the UC Davis Veterans Success Center provides a welcoming space and services to veterans across campus. From all of us in CBS, I thank our veterans for their service.

On faculty news, I am very pleased to share that two new CBS faculty were among this year’s cohort of CAMPOS scholars. The Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science (CAMPOS) expands the presence of women and historically marginalized faculty in STEM fields. A big congratulations to María Maldonado, Department of Plant Biology, and Kenjiro Quides, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, on joining 37 CAMPOS scholars across 31 departments on campus.

Finally, it is Thanksgiving month. I am again thankful for the safe and successful return of our students to campus, and for the vibrancy they bring with them.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.