INLAND EMPIRE
Public Policy Explorers Conference
Meet UC Riverside faculty and students, explore public policy, and learn about options for transfer, graduate study and public service.
January 8 to 10, 2027
UC Riverside
Apply by December 4, 2026
Free program + meals.
Lodging for Policy Accelerator participants.
Travel to and from UC Riverside is student's responsibility.
January 8, 2027
Discovery Day
Open to eligible undergraduate students listed below.
January 9 - 10, 2027
Policy Accelerator
For selected eligible seniors following Discovery Day.
Research for Stronger Communities
Informing policy through evidence and local expertise
Explore how UCR connects community insights, geospatial science, and justice research to address real-world challenges and help build stronger communities.
Center for Community Solutions
Learn how public policy starts with understanding the people, neighborhoods, and communities it is designed to serve.
Center for Geospatial Sciences
Discover how maps, technology, and data reveal patterns that help solve real-world public policy challenges.
Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies
Explore how research can improve lives, strengthen communities, and shape a more effective justice system.
Why the Inland Empire?
The Inland Empire, including Riverside and San Bernardino counties in Southern California, is a place to explore how public policy shapes everyday life. From housing and transportation to education and the environment, the questions are local, yet their lessons reach far beyond the region.
You'll explore your why
Connect your interests to issues facing communities around you.
Build your toolkit
Practice asking questions, using evidence and considering solutions.
Map your next step
Explore pathways into public policy, graduate study and public service.
Why me?
Your perspective belongs in public policy.
You’ve seen how decisions about housing, schools, jobs and transportation affect your family and neighbors. That experience matters in public policy. Bring your questions and ideas. You don’t need to have your future figured out.
Why now?
Public service needs you.
Communities need people who listen, ask questions and care enough to act. Explore public policy, meet people doing the work and discover possibilities for your education and career before making your next big decision.
Friday, January 8, 2027
Discovery Day
DAY 1
An introduction to public policy
Curious about public policy? Discover how it shapes your community and explore where your interests could lead.
Public Policy 101 + Career Conversations
Lunch with UC Riverside faculty and students
Explore transfer, graduate study + public service pathways
Leave with a clearer sense of where you can go
ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible?
Seniors: Bachelor's degree completed in December 2026 - August 2027.
Juniors: Bachelor's degree completed in December 2027 - August 2028.
First-year community college students: Associates degree or transfer expected in 2028 or later.
Second-year community college students:
Completing 2027 and already applied to transfer to UC Riverside for Fall 2027 public policy, political science, economics or sociology.
Saturday, January 9 to Sunday, January 10, 2027
Policy Accelerator
DAY 2 & 3
A deeper dive into public policy
Work alongside other undergraduate seniors on a policy challenge and experience graduate-level learning at UC Riverside.
Saturday
Work with a team to investigate a policy challenge, use evidence and develop recommendations.
Faculty seminar + hands-on policy labs
Admissions, funding + UC Riverside tour
Sunday
Present team's ideas to faculty, alumni and practitioners.
Get feedback on your ideas and presentation.
Leave with a plan for your next move.
ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible?
Seniors: Bachelor's degree completed in December 2026 - August 2027
Approximately 30 selected eligible undergraduate seniors.
Three-day attendance: January 8 - 10, 2027.
Selection is communicated separately.
You care about your community.
Start exploring what you can do about it.
January 8 to 10, 2027
UC Riverside
Free program + meals.
Lodging for Policy Accelerator participants.
Travel to and from UC Riverside is the student’s responsibility.
