Presidential Perspectives

Conversation on mentorship, leadership and academic success—mixed with a little friendly banter—filled the Manetti Shrem conference room on April 4 as UC Davis hosted Inspiration from the Presidents, featuring Chancellor Gary S. May, President Darryll Pines from the University of Maryland, College Park, and President Lisa Cardoza from American River College.

The UC Davis event—presented in partnership with American River College and the University of Maryland—was free and open to the public, attracting a full in-person audience and additional participants online. Fellows from the PROMISE Engineering Institute were among those in attendance.

“There’s a room and a Zoom room full of overachievers,” said President Cardoza who served as moderator of the event. “We received over 50 questions before we had to stop and curate the questions into what we’re going to share this morning”.

Those questions informed a dynamic discussion that explored five key themes: success and leadership, networking and career advancement, mentorship, graduate school and academia, and personal development and decision making.

20+ Years of Networking and Friendship

The conversation opened with reflections on the longtime friendship between Chancellor May and President Pines, which began when the two were graduate students at UC Berkeley. President Pines shared a lighthearted reflection on Chancellor May’s early reputation during their graduate school days at UC Berkeley.

“So, to us, Gary was the big chief,” Pines said. “The fact that he was chair of NSBE [National Society of Black Engineers] and was coming to Berkeley to be a graduate student. All the students in the local chapter were like, ‘We’ve got the big dog in the house from Atlanta.’”

To which Chancellor May responded,

“I’m not sure if I really was the BMOC. But I appreciate the sentiment.”

May then noted the mutual support and camaraderie that helped him, President Pines and Rice University President Reginald DesRoches (not in attendance) succeed in academia.

“It’s really kind of a unique set of circumstances that three people of color studying together at one university [Berkeley] eventually ended up where we did,” he said.

All three men—May, Pines, and Rice—were doctoral students in engineering at UC Berkeley in the late 1980s. They, alongside a small group of other Black engineering students, formed a close-knit community during their time in the program—something that was rare due to the low number of Black doctoral students in STEM at that time and place. They supported one another academically and personally, built lasting friendships, and went on to occupy prominent leadership positions in higher education and STEM fields. Lessons learned during that journey was what inspired the panel discussion “20+ Years of Networking and Friendship” on April 4.

Power of Mentorship

At the event, May and Pines shared they originally considered careers in industry, but mentors and a desire to have a deeper impact led them toward academia. They emphasized how academic careers have allowed for creativity, lifelong learning and opportunities to mentor future generations.

Chancellor May pointed to Howard Adams, Ph.D., and Augustine Esogbue, Ph.D., as pivotal influences during his time at Georgia Tech and a primary reason he pursued a career in academia.

“I had never run across an African American or person of African descent who was as successful as [Dr. Esogbue] who was not an athlete or entertainer,” May said. “And that kind of blew my mind.”

For Pines, a pivotal moment came during a Chevron internship when he realized he needed a more innovative, mission-driven career. He was also encouraged by Dan Mote, then a professor at Berkeley who later became president of the University of Maryland.

Both May and Pines served as engineering deans before becoming university leaders, a path they share with Jayathi Y. Murthy, another former engineering dean who will spoke as part of Dean Richard Corsi’s Distinguished Speaker Forum.

Being Visible to Pay It Forward

The effect mentors had on their own lives continues to inspire both men in how they approach leadership. Pines and May stressed the power of representation and the responsibility to inspire others.

“The former Surgeon General, Joycelyn Elders, once said,

‘You can’t be what you can’t see,’” May told the audience. “That’s why it’s really a priority for me … to be accessible and visible and approachable … and to share my time.”

He continued with a call to action rooted in the responsibility of mentorship: “If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, your job is to empower somebody else.”

Pines reinforced the message, encouraging students to initiate those relationships—even through small gestures such as students engaging in casual conversations with professors before or after class.

“Don’t be afraid to go and ask, ‘Hey, would you be willing to work with me and give me some of your leadership advice and mentorship?’” he said. “Most people, when you approach them … love when people approach them.”

Passion, Not Prestige, Should Motivate a Ph.D.

As fulfilling as careers in academia have been, Pines and May emphasized that the job is not without its challenges. Therefore, those considering graduate school should be certain that passion—not ego—is motivating their pursuit of an advanced degree.

“Don’t ever do this if you just want the three letters behind your name,” Pines said. “You go into a doctoral program because you have a passion about science, because you want to do something with that going forward.”

The conversation also addressed the reality of imposter syndrome in graduate school and beyond. Both presidents reminded attendees that these feelings can be common during periods of growth and encouraged attendees to seek out growth opportunities instead of shying away from them. For example, Pines recommended volunteering for search committees—even for roles more senior than your current position.

“Pick them carefully,” he advised. “You build relationships with people at the institution … and you get to see all these leaders come and present. It gives you knowledge that you may not get otherwise.”

Lasting Impact on Attendees

The discussion resonated with attendees at many stages of their academic and professional journeys.

“My only regret was not taking notes,” said Jacob Petros, a fourth-year undergraduate at UC Davis. “One thing that really stood out to me was the importance of building rapport with professors. I probably should just be doing that in the first place.”

DeVaughn Ogles, an adjunct engineering faculty member at American River College, said the event affirmed his vision for his own future.

“Being in a room full of established STEM professionals, being able to see them succeed, allows me to know that I can succeed,” he said. “Networking is one of the most important skills that’s lost today … we sometimes forget that some of the best ways to get what you want is by simply talking to somebody else in person.”

Leadership is a Shared Responsibility

The program closed with reflections from Vice Chancellor Renetta Garrison Tull.

“We encourage all of our participants to also consider the wisdom from today, as you continue to move into your own mentoring roles, whether they are formal or informal,” she said. “Events like this remind us that leadership is not a destination—it’s a responsibility. Let today’s dialogue be a spark that drives action, connection, and purpose in your own journey.”

Cutline: Attendees pictured here accepted the invitation to be photographed at the “Inspiration from the Presidents” event, held April 4, 2025. They represent just a portion of those who participated in the free event, which drew both in-person and virtual audiences.