Large crowd in University Credit Center on UC Davis campus.

Cesar Chávez Youth Leadership Conference Team Wins Citation of Excellence Award

Congratulations to the Cesar Chávez Youth Leadership Planning team for winning one of only two Citation of Excellence Team Awards in 2024. Members of the team are: 

  • Nancy Alderete, Assistant Director Chicanx Latinx Recruitment in Undergraduate Admissions
  • Gabriela Ballesteros, Sorority and Fraternity Life Coordinator in the Center for Student Involvement
  • Rosa Deniz, Program Analyst in the Vice Chancellor for DEI Office
  • Aury Gutierrez Zavala, Senior Case Manager with Aggie Compass Basic Needs
  • Lars McBride, CRM Manager in Undergraduate Admissions
  • Maria Saldana, Undergraduate Academic Advisor in Agricultural and Resource Economics


The group was recognized for their tremendous efforts to plan and execute the 21st annual Cesar Chávez Youth Conference.

Headshot of Andres P Chavez smiling and wearing a blue blazer over an open-collared white shirt.
Andres P. Chávez, grandson of Cesar Chávez and keynote speaker of the 2024 Cesar Chávez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration.

The Cesar Chávez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration is a free, day-long college and career motivational event for junior high, high school, community college students, parents, and community members.

More than 1600 people attended the conference which was held on March 16, 2024 in the University Credit Union Center. Chancellor Gary May was one of the speakers and the keynote speaker was the grandson of Cesar Chávez, Andres P. Chávez. The event received notable local media coverage in both print, online and television.

“When you have the best group of volunteers put together a conference with over 1600 attendees, higher education is changing,” Lina Mendez, Ph.D. posted on X during the conference.

The Staff Assembly gives The Citation of Excellence Awards to 11 individuals and two teams from departments throughout UC Davis, which includes the main campus and the Health campuses. The Staff Assembly expects to distribute more than $20,000 across all winners and host these amazing staff at an awards ceremony with Chancellor May and other leadership in the Fall.

Learn more about 2024 Citation of Excellence Awards.

Primary Category