César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference Returns to UC Davis for 10th Year

On a single Saturday each spring, the UC Davis campus transforms into a vibrant hub of hope and opportunity as hundreds of students, families and educators gather for the César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference. This May, the event marks its 10th year of being hosted at UC Davis and its 23rd year serving students throughout the state.  

What started as a grassroots effort has grown into one of the region’s largest college and career readiness events for students from all backgrounds—drawing participants from as far away as Humboldt. The one-day, free conference has become a beacon of possibility for students who may not have considered higher education a realistic option.

“Some of these students are first in their family to even think about college,” said Caroline Cabias ’72, a UC Davis alumna and longtime conference volunteer. “They get off the bus, step onto campus, and suddenly it’s real.”

Rooted in Legacy, Open to All

Named for civil rights leader César Chávez, the conference is inspired by his enduring message of equity, education and community empowerment. While the conference honors Chávez’s legacy, organizers emphasize that students from every community and background are encouraged to attend.

“We are very intentional about inclusion,” said Cabias who won the Aggie Service Award in 2021. “This event is for everyone—Latino, Hmong, African American, Southeast Asian, Indigenous—any student who needs information, inspiration, and a little encouragement to imagine a future that includes a college degree.”

Powered by Volunteers and Partnerships

The conference is coordinated by a dedicated team of volunteers, including community members, alumni, and educators, who work year-round to plan programming, recruit schools, and raise funds. Cabias is one of 11 core members of the planning committee, each of whom brings passion and lived experience to the table.

“We all do this as volunteers, because we’ve seen how powerful one day can be,” she said. “And we’ve worked hard to grow the event from 500 students in its first year at UC Davis to nearly 2,000 in recent years.”

The growth has been fueled by deep collaboration between UC Davis and the community. Once a renter of campus space, the conference is now a true partnership with the university, supported by units like the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Strategic Chicanx Latinx Retention Initiative.

Bridging the Gap for Families and Students

Workshops cover topics ranging from how to apply for college and financial aid to career panels featuring professionals in law, healthcare, engineering and public service. The information is offered free of charge, making it accessible to families who may lack resources or counseling support in their schools.

“We talk a lot about educational equity, but this is it in action,” Cabias said. “There are high schools less than 15 miles from campus where students don’t even know UC Davis is an option. That’s unacceptable—and it’s something we can change.”

Cabias herself is a powerful example of what access and opportunity can unlock. She recalled how a chance encounter with a UC Davis recruiter changed the course of her life.

“I thought I was going to beauty school or business college in Sacramento because that’s all I knew,” she said. “But this recruiter helped me apply, helped me get financial aid, and I fell into attending UC Davis. That education has really transformed my life and made a completely different future possible for me.”  

A Boost for the Region’s Workforce and Economic Future

The conference is also helping to build a stronger, more diverse workforce for the region.

“If we don’t educate the students in our own backyard, who’s going to fill the jobs in our schools, hospitals, and local government?” Cabias said. “These students will be the ones paying taxes, buying homes, and giving back to their communities.”

Employers, including SMUD and local agencies, have sponsored the event and used it as a way to connect with the next generation of leaders. For students, those connections open doors to internships and career exploration that might otherwise be out of reach.

“We’re not just helping students go to college—we’re helping them imagine their future careers and take real steps toward them,” Cabias added.

Lifting Barriers, One Bus Ride at a Time

A cornerstone of the conference’s outreach is its commitment to transportation access. Volunteer organizers have spoken at school board meetings across California, urging districts to provide buses and asking teachers to volunteer their time to chaperone.

“Some students are riding in from Salinas. That’s hours on a Saturday,” said Cabias. “But they do it, because they know this day could change their lives.”

The effort has paid off: Students now travel from across the Central Valley, northern California, the central coast to attend, and a few students from as far away as Los Angeles. Additionally, more school districts are covering transportation costs thanks to community advocacy.

Alumni, Volunteers Fueling UC Davis' HSI Designation Vision

The conference plays an important role in supporting UC Davis’ goal of becoming a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)—a recognition that reflects not only demographics but also cultural responsiveness and institutional change.

“People think HSI is just about getting grants,” Cabias said. “But it’s really about the university evolving—changing the way it serves a diverse student population. This conference is part of that evolution.”

She adds that UC Davis’ global reputation in veterinary medicine, engineering, agriculture and more makes it uniquely positioned to support diverse students from all backgrounds and prepare them to lead in any field.

“This is a world-class university,” she said. “It should be accessible to a world of students—starting right here in our own region.”

A Day of Inspiration, a Lifetime of Impact

From popular sessions like “Latinas in Leadership” to panels with judges, doctors, engineers and college counselors, the César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference connects students with the knowledge—and confidence—to pursue higher education.

“The most important thing we offer is information,” Cabias said. “Because once a student knows the steps to get into college, and that there’s financial aid, and that someone believes in them—it changes everything.”

As the conference enters its second decade at UC Davis, organizers are celebrating the impact they’ve made—and looking to the future.

“We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” said Cabias. “But there’s more work to do. More students to reach. More lives to change.”