Envision puts community in front row

April 13, 2026

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Eastern Redbud blooms create colorful pathways around campus.

Eastern Redbud blooms create colorful pathways around campus. (Photo by Steve Zylius / UC Irvine)

UC IRVINE NEWS

Turning pain into purpose

Hooked Like Helen vocalist Nikki Stipp turns scream therapy into alt. rock as her bass-playing husband looks on in the Power of Music class recently.

The raw power of rock music met the raw emotion of childhood trauma in the “Power of Music” course. Students listened to an emotionally charged “Concert and Convo” with alternative rockers Hooked Like Helen – a Cleveland-based quartet, led by singer Nikki Stipp and her bass-playing husband Jon Stipp – who performed songs focused on emotional pain. “Attending a live music performance is one of the most powerful experiences you can have,” said Richard Matthew, professor of urban planning & public policy and executive director of the Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change. “It connects you to your inner self. It connects you to the people on the other side of the room, the musicians on stage, the past, the future. When musicians take the time to talk about what they are doing, why they are doing it, their motivations, it moves you. It inspires and is life changing.”

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Envision puts community in front row

Sherry Main, UC Irvine vice chancellor for strategic communications and public affairs, shares information at one of the nearly 30 in-person meetings held over the course of five months in the Greater Irvine area

On a campus shaped by thoughtful planning, UC Irvine again looks to its future. The campus is undertaking its 2027 long-range development plan – branded Envision UC Irvine – to guide growth aligned with its academic mission, sustainability commitments and community partnerships. The community is invited into the conversation. “This plan will shape not only UC Irvine’s future but the future of the city the university calls home,” said Sherry Main (above), vice chancellor for strategic communications and public affairs. “Meaningful engagement makes this possible. Envision UC Irvine creates space to align around shared priorities – from housing and transportation to sustainability and cultural life. By engaging residents, business leaders and elected officials early, we are building trust, strengthening partnerships and laying the groundwork for the future.” In this video, get a behind-the-scenes look at how Envision is being designed to leave room for future leaders to adapt to changing academic, demographic and economic realities.

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Novel ALS therapy

David Luce, right, and Dr. Namita Goyal, director of the UCI Health ALS & Neuromuscular Center.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient David Luce (above right) sought out a UCI Health clinical trial to fight the disease that had claimed the lives of his father and sister. Four years later, the artist calls the therapy a game-changer, adding, “There is hope, even with a terminal diagnosis.” Dr. Namita Goyal (above left), UCI Health neurologist, who is delighted by Luce’s progress, says she has treated at least four other patients with the drug tofersen who have experienced similar results that slow the progression of the disease. “This is an exciting time for ALS researchers," Goyal said. "I know that there is a cure out there. We’re getting closer to identifying it each and every day.”

April 24 ADA Digital Accessibility Deadline

The U.S. Department of Justice has set an April 24, 2026, deadline for public institutions to make all digital content accessible to people with disabilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes websites, digital documents, course materials, videos, mobile applications, Canvas pages and other online resources that support our programs, services and activities. The Division of Equal Opportunity and Compliance has created guidelines for when it is acceptable to use the ADA’s archival exception for inaccessible digital content created before April 24, 2026. Additional information and guidance on the Digital Accessibility deadline is available on the campus accessibility website.

UC NEWS

How real-world learning at UC prepares students for evolving careers

UC Irvine student Kory Ha teaching through Creative Connections. The internship program provides paid, yearlong teaching artist internships for arts majors.

UC Irvine student Kory Ha teaching through Creative Connections.

Yearlong paid internship programs in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts support arts students in developing job skills and exploring career pathways in the creative sector. In the Creative Connections program, students receive training in pedagogy and classroom management before working in area schools, teaching visual art, dance, drama and music, serving nearly 10,000 Orange County students over the past five years. A second program, Arts Launch, places undergraduates in paid arts management internships with regional organizations, where they learn how to fund, market, distribute and build audiences for creative work.

#IamUCI

Student Pharmacist of the Year

Hannah Manio (right) has been awarded as the Orange County Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ (OCSHP) “Student Pharmacist of the Year.”

Hannah Manio has been recognized as the Orange County Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ Student Pharmacist of the Year. The award recognizes a student member of OCSHP who is exceptional in service to the organization as well as leadership in initiatives throughout the community and the pharmacy profession. “This award not only represents the work that I have done but also the trust others have placed in me. It reflects the support of my mentors, advisors and peers who have encouraged me to create meaningful opportunities within our profession,” Manio said. “I am deeply grateful to OCSHP for this recognition and hope to inspire other student pharmacists to get involved, advocate for their communities, and make their own lasting impact in pharmacy.”

#UCIconnected spotlights interesting updates from the UC Irvine community. #IamUCI spotlights profiles of students, faculty, staff and alumni. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected or #IamUCI hashtags.

UC IRVINE NEWSMAKERS

The Orange County Register logo

Park inequality in Southern California creates health risks, especially during the heat


The Orange County Register, April 12

Cited: Jason Douglas, associate professor of health, society and behavior

Los Angeles Times logo

Lead still haunts yards in Exide battery recycler cleanup zone


Los Angeles Times, April 11

Cited: Jill Johnston, associate professor of environmental and occupational health

Scientific American logo

‘Moon joy’ and the overview effect—how views from space change us


Scientific American, April 11

Cited: Paul Piff, associate professor of psychology

Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. UC Irvine Libraries offers free subscriptions to The New York Times, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.

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