Celebrating Efficiency, Innovation, and Excellence at UC Davis
2025 Continuous Improvement Showcase - Event Recap
On June 25, 2025, UC Davis hosted the Continuous Improvement Showcase - a half-day celebration of efficiency, innovation, and process improvement. The event brought together people from across the Davis and Sacramento campuses to share, learn, and connect around continuous improvement efforts and Lean methodologies that are helping shape the future of our university operations.
Held at the UC Davis Conference Center, the Showcase featured a lineup of activities, including a panel discussion with Lean experts, project presentations, and 19 Gallery Walk exhibits showcasing projects and resources that support a culture of continuous improvement.
Event Highlights
- Leadership Welcome: Provost Mary Croughan welcomed attendees by highlighting the Showcase as a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and commitment to continuous improvement that defines UC Davis; she applauded faculty and staff for driving meaningful change across UC Davis.
- Lean Panel: A panel of Lean and process improvement enthusiasts shared real-world advice, lessons learned, and tools for sustaining a culture of continuous improvement. The discussion provided takeaways for staff looking to get started or take their efforts further. Panelists: Michelle Agnew, Naomi Silguero, Priya Venkatesan from FOA-Administrative Innovation and Technology; Krista Newberry, School of Medicine; and Aaron Etcheverry, College of Letters and Sciences.
- Project Presentation - The Last Mile Initiative: Jen Carmichael, Supply Chain Management, shared insights on The Last Mile initiative, a process improvement project that has enhanced campus sustainability by reducing vehicle traffic and carbon emissions, improving package tracking, and generating revenue. The initiative also supports campus safety and efficiency, with plans to expand its impact.
- Project Presentation - Working Alongside AI: Scott Kirkland, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and Jose Boveda, Information and Educational Technology, highlighted tools (Aggie AI) available to campus, offering practical tips for effective use, and discussing AI's limitations and best practices for responsible use.
- Gallery Walk: Attendees explored an interactive gallery of staff-led exhibits that highlighted successful projects, tools, and resources. From streamlining onboarding to improving data workflows, the Gallery Walk showcased a wide variety of meaningful innovations. See Gallery Walk posters for details.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2025 Continuous Improvement Showcase a success - from project teams and presenters to the volunteers, thought partners, and executive sponsors who made the event possible. Your contributions are helping create a stronger, more effective UC Davis.
Continue Your Journey
If you were inspired by the Showcase or are interested in getting involved in process improvement efforts at UC Davis, there are many ways to take the next step:
- Training: Explore introductory and advanced process improvement training through the Facilitation and Training webpage. Courses include Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, and practical tools for leading improvement initiatives.
- Lean Office Hours: Join virtual drop-in sessions hosted twice monthly to ask questions, get advice, or discuss your project ideas with Lean experts. Add to your calendar here.
- Get Involved: Whether you're new to Lean or have a project in mind, we welcome your engagement. Learn more about the UC Davis Community of Practice.