Across FOA departments, a quiet transformation is taking place, led by the hardworking, determined Redwood SEED Scholars, California students with intellectual disabilities who live, work, attend classes and participate in student life at UC Davis. 

For the past three years, FOA departments like Supply Chain Management, Safety Services, Finance and the UC Davis Police Department have employed Redwood SEED Scholars in a diverse range of positions across the division. You might find scholars sorting mail, cleaning microscopes or preparing laboratory safety kits for new faculty. They work both independently and collaboratively with staff, sometimes accompanied by a UC Davis student mentor.

To support their transition into the workplace, scholars are initially paired with UC Davis student mentors who help them strengthen their communication and executive functioning skills while learning their assigned job duties.

Student Mentor Abby Lee currently works with scholars in Mail Services and shared her reason for getting involved in the Redwood SEED Scholar Program. “I have a brother with an intellectual disability,” said Lee. “He’s the same age as me, so I wanted to be someone that would be able to help someone like him.” 

As scholars become more confident in their roles, many find that they no longer need the support of a mentor and can work independently, which supports one of the program goals: to prepare scholars for integrated, competitive employment. 

"They’ve grown and developed to where they no longer need a mentor,” said Campus Stores Manager Chris Honan. “They can do the assigned duties on their own. They gain a sense of accomplishment, they get a sense of growth, and it’s just great to see the smiles on everybody’s faces.”

By their third and fourth year in the program, many scholars hold two campus jobs, building a diverse skill set and gaining work experience needed to pursue employment after graduation from the program.

Redwood SEED Scholar Abeer Humayun has a split job function in Supply Chain Management, working in both the Scientific Store and Microscope Services, and recently added a second job in Finance. Humayun started out working with inventory and stocking shelves in the Scientific Store and soon notified her supervisor that she no longer needed a mentor. She gained more technical skills and is now cleaning microscopes in addition to helping customers at the Scientific Store. Together with two staff and one student employee, Humayun helps with fabrication and maintenance requests for about 1,000 microscope rentals per year, supporting both the Davis campus and the UC Davis Medical Center. 

“I am very thankful to be in this college,” said Humayun, “I’m thankful for being here, to do independent things, learning and living independently.”

A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

While the scholars gain vital experience and confidence, the FOA staff who work with them also discover new ways to grow professionally. FOA staff consistently reflect on the positive impact of the Redwood SEED Scholars Program. Staff enjoy supporting the growth of the scholars while enhancing their own professional development.

“It’s a dual benefit. I also benefit from it as a professional,” said Laboratory Safety Supervisor Alyssa Hua. “I am looking for ways, different avenues, to communicate with my Redwood SEED Scholars. I’m finding different communication tools or how I present information that helps the Redwood SEED Scholar understand the task better. It's been really great. It’s helped me develop as a professional and as an individual, as well."

Like other staff, Mail Services Supervisor Mark Blankinship appreciates the positivity that the scholars bring to the workplace. “The scholars, they come in, they’re positive every day, which uplifts the team,” said Blankinship. “They’re willing to work. They’re willing to do whatever is needed, so it’s definitely had a positive impact on our team here at UC Davis.”

This mutually beneficial relationship is perhaps best encapsulated in a popular phrase around Mail Services, shared by Redwood SEED Scholar Jaylen Parks when he said, “And besides, teamwork makes the dream work!”

As the Redwood SEED Scholars Program prepares to celebrate its first graduating class in spring 2025, the FOA community is reflecting on the scholars’ contributions and the lasting impact they have made on the campus culture.  

Learn more about the UC Davis Redwood SEED Scholars Program