Student Success Stories

Meet Samantha Olson, head brewer at Mujeres Brew House, who turned to UC Davis Master Brewers Certificate Program for formal training to elevate her brewing skills and stand out in the brewing industry.

After raising a family, Beth DeLashmutt returned to college and completed her bachelor’s degree in communication studies. Inspired by learning how communication impacts daily life, she decided to continue her education in mediation and completed the Conflict Resolution Professional Concentration. Now, she’s looking ahead to gaining experience in the field and continuing to expand her knowledge.

As an adult learner, Christopher Simon has been taking continuing education classes since his early 40s, focusing on subjects that he overlooked in his younger days. He recently completed the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program to improve his understanding of the legal process and help him as a political science professor and researcher.

Winemaker Enrico de Alessandrini, founder of Sassaia winery in Italy, says the Winemaking Certificate Program gave him the scientific foundation to better understand the winemaking process.

Lourdes Moldre completed the UC Davis Executive Leadership Program and was named one of the San Francisco Business Times’ Class of 2022 40 Under 40 honorees the following spring. See what she had to say on what this accomplishment means to her and how the Executive Leadership Program helped her get to where she is today.

Master Brewers Certificate Program grad Micah Krichinsky, founder and brewer of Strangebird Brewery, which opened in 2021, won the 2022 Brewery of the Year at the New York State Craft Beer Competition.

After moving to the United States, Jyotika Sharma discovered a new interest in computer programming. Looking to change fields from chemical engineering to computers, she decided to reskill with the help of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Python for Data Science, Web and Core Programming Professional Concentration.

Jessica Kearney is a registered dietitian manager and nutrition education coordinator for WIC who says that the Maternal and Child Nutrition Program helped her become the ultimate expert in her office.

As a registered dietician working in pediatrics at the UC Davis Medical Center, Katy Wright has found the perfect marriage of her three loves: health care, children and food. See how the UC Davis Master of Advanced Study in Maternal and Child Nutrition helped her gain the experience and expertise she needed for this niche field.

Mariana da Silva Schneider was awarded the “UC Davis Tapping Potential” scholarship to attend the online Master Brewers Certificate Program. Learn how this opportunity will help her become a better brewer and inspire diversity and change in the industry.

Amanda Koeller is the head brewer of Bad Beat Brewing and holds the title as the only female head brewer in the state. See how the Master Brewers Certificate Program helped her get there and what advice she has for other women looking to break into the industry.

After 32 years in the U.S. military, Steve Shoemaker was ready for a new pace of life. Now, he’s the owner and winemaker of the award-winning 3 Oaks Vineyard in Clovis, California.

Recent graduate of the Master Brewers Certificate Program, Sean Owens, is using the knowledge he gained in the program to open a brewery that will do more than just make great beer. Slated to open by the end of 2021, Common Language Brewing Company will promote diversity and inclusion in the brewing profession and be a vehicle for charitable giving.

A recent alum of the UC Davis Executive Leadership Program, Olivia Virgadamo says that the program helped her integrate her professional life with her personal one and understand the valuable role she can play as a leader.

Logan Jager wasn’t always a brewer. He actually started his career in finance. But desiring to do something new that would have a positive impact on his community, he heard the call of brewing and answered. He is a graduate of the Master Brewers Certificate Program and the founder and head brewer of Western Flyer Brewing.