This study uses in-depth interviews to examine the career trajectories of all of the Latinas selected for the University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowships Program (PPFP) since its inception in 1984. The PPFP was established as a program to attract outstanding underrepresented women and minority Ph.D. recipients into academic careers at the University of California.

The pool of past and present fellows provides a unique sample with extensive work histories from entry level to advanced levels of the professoriate, so this study of their career experiences illuminates the processes that both hinder and promote success among underrepresented faculty. The issues identified and insights gained from this study allows us to tailor the structure of CAMPOS and related UC Davis ADVANCE programming to optimize their positive effects on our target group.

The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program was established in 1984 to encourage outstanding women and minority Ph.D. recipients to pursue academic careers at the University of California. The current program offers postdoctoral research fellowships, faculty mentoring, and eligibility for a hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the University of California.