The University of California, Irvine (UCI) has announced a $5 million gift from UCI Foundation trustee Stacey Nicholas to support diversity in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.

The gift to the Henry Samueli School of Engineering will endow and rename the Stacey Nicholas Office of Outreach, Access, and Inclusion, a campus program that supports the recruitment, retention, and graduation of students to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields. In addition, the gift will create the Women and Engineering Program, which will provide leadership training, mentorship, and professional development to promote the success and advancement of women in engineering.

An electrical engineer, Nicholas has served as a UCI Foundation trustee since 2015. This is her fourth major commitment to UCI; previous gifts include $9.5 million in 2014 to the engineering school to support scholarships and graduate fellowships, bolster outreach programs, and endow its deanship.

“I firmly believe that investing in scholarships and programs for students dedicated to advancing diversity in engineering is not just an act of philanthropy; it’s an investment in our shared future,” said Nicholas. “It is critical to open pathways for all interested students, ensuring that engineering remains an accessible and promising field for everyone. In doing so, we shape not only the future of engineering but also the world it serves, making it stronger, more equitable, and infinitely more innovative.”

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