Dr. Yegiyan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at UC Davis. Her research focuses on understanding how people process media messages, with particular interests in issues such as polarization, cyberbullying, online learning, and mental well-being.

Throughout her career, Dr. Yegiyan has been actively involved in DEI initiatives. She served as a Fellow in the UC Davis ACCELERATE program, where she developed instructional tools to empower underrepresented students and provided mentorship to first-generation students, offering additional training in her research laboratory. In her administrative roles within the university and the broader academic community, Dr. Yegiyan has implemented numerous initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion while cultivating a strong sense of belonging among students and faculty alike.

Why I Do DEI Work

Growing up as a member of a minority group and as a woman, I feel a personal connection to issues of DEI. I remember the feelings of insecurity and the constant fear of not fitting in or not being good enough. I was fortunate to have supportive parents and mentors who guided me and helped me overcome these challenges. I strongly believe that supportive communities ultimately thrive more than competitive ones.

I hope to contribute to efforts aimed not only at fostering these supportive communities but also at transforming our organizational structures to genuinely value and appreciate inclusion and a sense of belonging.