Weijian Yang Recognized for Excellent Graduate Program Advising and Mentoring
Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Weijian Yang has received the Graduate Program Advising and Mentoring Award from UC Davis Graduate Studies.
The award celebrates faculty members who provide outstanding service and mentorship to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, ensuring their academic success, professional development and personal well-being. Awardees are selected based on their nomination by their department and on the strength of recommendations from students.
"It is a great honor to receive this award, and I deeply appreciate the support from my esteemed colleagues and valuable feedback from our students," Yang said. "Engaging with students and helping them to navigate their graduate studies and research brings me personal fulfillment. It also constantly prompts me to reflect on how we can better support our students, and I have learned a lot from this process."
As a graduate faculty advisor to the ECE Graduate Program, Yang has made many strides to improve the quality of life for students. He played a vital role in developing new guidelines to help students access resources and seek assistance in the event of a conflict with faculty members, drawing from his success in mediating such disputes.
In response to updated degree requirements, Yang took charge of educating students on how best to meet these changes, creating forms and hosting workshops that explained what students needed to do to graduate. He also initiated efforts to secure funding for students with financial needs through a Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need proposal to the U.S. Department of Education.
His commitment to ensuring success extends to his research group, where he advises Ph.D. and master students. They admire him for his guidance on research as well as his ability to tailor his mentorship to the needs of each student and instill a sense of self-confidence and passion for their work.
"Professor Yang fosters an environment where students see themselves as valued colleagues and contributors," one of his mentees wrote. "Importantly, he views mentorship as a two-way street, valuing the insights he gains from his students. The respect and continuous learning have greatly enriched my professional journey under his guidance."
His graduate students also shared gratitude for his concern about their mental and physical health, putting it on equal footing with his research mentorship.
"Yang has set a very high bar both as a graduate faculty advisor and as a mentor for students in his research group," said Lifeng Lai, chair of the ECE Graduate Program. "He has made everlasting positive impacts on many graduate students."
