UCI Engineering Welcomes Over 1,800 New Students
Sept. 28, 2026 – Interim Dean Faryar Jabbari kicked off Welcome Week by welcoming hundreds of new students at Engineering Gateway on Sept. 22. He congratulated them on making it into one of the most competitive and largest classes to date.
This year, the UCI Samueli School of Engineering welcomes 954 freshman, 521 transfer students and 353 new graduate students for the Fall 2026 quarter. Dean Jabbari encouraged them to prepare their minds for an excellent and rigorous education.
“An engineering education is challenging as you are being trained to design, build, and create fantastic and wonderful things, which is no easy job,” Jabbari said. “Manage your time carefully as the quarter system goes quickly.”
The students also heard from the chairs of the six engineering departments who spoke to them about the numerous opportunities offered at UCI. They encouraged them to get involved in research, clubs, and school projects to enrich their educational experience.
The chairs include Mo Li, chair and professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE); Michelle Digman, chair and associate professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME); Szu-Wen Wang, chair and professor of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE); Lee Swindlehurst, chair and professor of the Nhu Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS); Lorenzo Valdevit, chair and professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE); and Julián Rimoli, chair and Henry Samueli Faculty Excellence Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE).
Bryan Bowerman, the director of undergraduate student affairs, invited the students to visit their office anytime to ask questions about any aspect of student life at UCI. In addition to counselors on staff, their office also has student success coaches and peer academic advisors who can help them on their academic journey.
After the speeches, students headed over to the Anteater Involvement Fair in Aldrich Park to browse booths hosted by a wide range of engineering clubs including the Society of Women Engineers, Zotbotics, ASME, IEEE, Underwater Robotics Project, UCI Rocket Project, and many more.
Throughout the week, students had numerous opportunities to meet their classmates and integrate with the UCI community. The Newkirk Alumni Center offered new UCI sweatshirts to the newest Anteaters. In the evenings, students enjoyed events like Late Night at the Anteater Recreation Center, Aldrich Park After Dark, Screen on the Green at Aldrich Park, and the UC Irvine Esports Fall Kickoff. The UCI Division of Career Pathways also hosted workshops on résumés, internships and finding part-time jobs.
The festivities continue this week as well. On Monday, Sept. 28, the Engineering Student Council will host The Art of Engineering at Engineering Gateway at 5 p.m. Engineering students will show off their artistic talents and people can participate in a variety of activities and learn more about engineering clubs.
The Engineering Student Council caps off the welcome activities on Friday, Oct. 2, with a bonfire at Corona Del Mar Beach at 6 p.m. All engineering students are invited to enjoy an evening at the beach to meet fellow students and learn more about engineering student organizations.
- Natalie Tso
