ARCS Northern California has an exciting year ahead! This year we are honored to support 83 ARCS Scholars at our seven partner universities, including our first cohort of scholars at new partner UC Merced. We were delighted to be able to meet Alauna Wheeler of UC Merced recently and hear about her research and what makes the ARCS award so meaningful to her. What she said, and what we hear time and again from scholars, is that not only are the monetary awards that we give students meaningful but knowing that there is a group of women who believe in them and their research gives scholars confidence and motivation in their work. We look forward to hearing from many more of this year’s scholars at the fall Scholar Meet-and-Greets, university site visits, and general meetings later this year. 

There are so many moving parts to the work of ARCS Northern California Chapter and the year is just getting started. We are already planning an incredible celebration of this year’s ARCS Scholars for April 17, 2023, continuing with a combined Scholar Symposium Celebration format to not only celebrate the scholars but also learn more about their research.   

Our first Science Activities event of the year took place on Thursday 9/15 with a fascinating talk by Dr. Raja Guha Thakurta. There are more great science activities to come over the course of the year, both in person and on Zoom.  

Finally, we are thrilled to have Carol Schimke, development director, on board and leading our development effort this year as we look to raise $1.45M in support of 2023-2024 scholar awards and chapter operations. 

Thank you for being part of ARCS Northern California. We are honored by your commitment to our organization and appreciate your time, energy, and donations in support of the work of our organization and this year’s scholars. 

Ellie Bingham & Katy Hope, Co-Presidents