Dr. Mayté Frías Named Director of Avanza in Inclusive Excellence

  • by Laura M Cerruti

Inclusive Excellence is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mayté Frías as the next Director of Avanza, following a highly competitive search process. She will begin her new role on December 8, 2025.

A person with long dark hair, wearing an olive green shirt, smiles in front of lush greenery.

Dr. Frías brings a long record of advancing equity, research-informed student success, and collaborative engagement across the University of California. She first joined the UC Davis community in 2009 in the Department of Psychology as an exchange graduate student and later as a postdoctoral researcher studying close relationships. In 2015, she joined Student Affairs Assessment, where she focused on assessment, evaluation, and research on non-academic factors that shape student success—particularly for underserved student populations. Throughout this work, she has emphasized the use of data as a catalyst for equity.

In addition to her UC Davis roles, Dr. Frías is currently serving a two-year term (2024–2026) as Staff Advisor to the UC Board of Regents, contributing staff perspectives to systemwide conversations on policy, budget, academic affairs, and student expression.

As Director of Avanza, Dr. Frías will lead efforts to identify and address structural barriers to student achievement and strengthen pathways that support success, equity, and inclusion for all UC Davis students. Her experience, insight, and commitment will be invaluable as Avanza advances its work across the university.

Inclusive Excellence invites the campus community to join us in welcoming Dr. Frías at a special virtual event:

Welcome Event for Dr. Frías
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 10:40 a.m.
Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/91864540596
Meeting ID: 918 6454 0596

We also encourage everyone to attend the Principles of Community Celebration later that afternoon:

Principles of Community Celebration
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 12:30–3:00 p.m.
Location: Activities and Recreation Center

Open to all UC Davis campuses, the celebration offers a joyful opportunity to gather, connect, and reflect on the shared values that shape our community. Please share this invitation widely with colleagues, students, stakeholders, and friends and see today’s post on LinkedIn.

We look forward to celebrating together on Friday as we welcome Dr. Frías and reaffirm the spirit of our UC Davis community.