Cassidy Kays
UC Postbaccalaureate Consortium Coordinator
As the Consortium Coordinator, I serve the 4 UC partner premedical programs that make up the UC Postbaccalaureate Consortium: Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The mission of the UC Postbaccalaureate Consortium is to increase the number of physicians who practice in shortage areas of California by assisting capable and dedicated students from disadvantaged backgrounds in gaining admission to medical school. The Consortium is supported by the Office of Student and Resident Diversity at UC Davis School of Medicine, where I previously served as the Administrative Assistant.
Before becoming a UC staff member, I worked at Sacramento City College (SCC) working in student affairs, assisting with student enrollment, managing advising appointments, and providing guidance to students on various pathway programs and support services. I am a proud community college graduate and transfer student!
I have a passion for working with students from disadvantaged backgrounds and value the impact of accessibility to resources and the role of mentorship in educational outcomes. With an associate's and bachelor’s degree in Sociology from SCC and UC Davis, I have the goal of promoting equity and creating opportunities for student success.
Outside of work, I will either be in the kitchen cooking something new or taking my dog, Ruby, for a long walk in the neighborhood!
Why I Do DEI Work
I grew up hearing stories from my Dad who was one of 6 kids living in poverty and saw the impact of policy and discrimination on my two Moms. I was very young when I first noticed the intersection between my own privileges and the experiences of others in my family. The values of social justice, listening to the experiences of others, and advocating from places of privilege are inextricably linked to my sense of self. My parent’s experiences along with majoring in Sociology deepened my awareness of power dynamics in society and the role of privilege in shaping opportunities and accessibility to resources for such opportunities. I want to be a part of the change to continually improve diversity, inclusion, and equity in the institution of higher education. That includes my role as a lifelong learner in this space of DEI work. My goal is to create more support systems, fewer barriers, and a sense of belonging in spaces that historically have been spaces of exclusion.
Motto/Hashtag
Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved and supported
Social Media
@cassidy_kays