For Sue Ebeler, M.S. ’85, Ph.D. ’93, the most rewarding part of her career isn’t the research awards or the international recognition — it’s the students whose lives she has changed.
As a professor of viticulture and enology and associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ebeler has spent more than 30 years at UC Davis building a culture of belonging, mentorship and opportunity. Her leadership has empowered countless students — especially women — to find their place and thrive.
This is why Ebeler is the recipient of the 2024 Women & Philanthropy Impact Award, presented on Sunday (March 9) during the Wisdom of Women symposium at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive this award, but more than anything, I’m grateful for the opportunity to support and uplift our students and staff,” she said. “Creating spaces where they feel valued, encouraged and empowered has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.”
established the award to recognize a UC Davis faculty or staff member for contributions to the advancement of women, along with exemplary leadership and significant impact on university communities. It comes with a donor-funded $25,000 prize to direct to the UC Davis fund of the winner’s choice.
The Wisdom of Women symposium is a celebration of leadership, impact and philanthropy. The event was headlined by Soledad O’Brien, the award-winning broadcast journalist, documentarian and best-selling author, and featured inspiring talks from Anna Maria Chavez, former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, and Amishi Jha, Ph.D. ’98, a renowned neuroscientist and mindfulness expert.
Creating a sense of belonging
As a double alum who has been part of the UC Davis community for decades, Ebeler has changed countless lives for the better.
“Sue helped me become a woman with self-empowerment and self-confidence, and I really wouldn’t be here without her,” said Heesun Kim ’24, who received mentorship from Ebeler during her undergraduate studies in animal science.
In every facet of Ebeler’s work, she champions student success. Understanding that belonging and mental health are critical to academic achievement, Ebeler has worked tirelessly to ensure that students feel welcome and supported at UC Davis.
“Sue does a great job of relating to students — understanding where they are, where they want to go, and helping them get there,” said Helene Dillard, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Since becoming associate dean in 2014, Ebeler has co-launched a belonging project to welcome incoming students across the campus, created initiatives like Aggie Jumpstart and expanded the Career Discovery Groups program, all of which provide resources and mentorship for students, helping them navigate their academic and professional paths with confidence. These programs have made a lasting difference in the lives of students, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful careers in agriculture, environmental sciences and beyond.
“I’m an educator at heart,” Ebeler said. “As a faculty member and a teacher, I celebrate the growth of students and it’s so rewarding to be a part of their journey. And I feel the same way about the staff I work with. I really enjoy helping them grow into leaders and helping them develop their own passions.”
Following her drive to empower others, Ebeler chose to split the $25,000 impact award prize between two initiatives she cares deeply about: , a program she co-created to promote inclusive excellence, and , a program that helps members develop leadership skills and build community.
“One of the greatest things about this award is that I’m able to give the prize money back to two communities, two student groups in our college, that I’m really passionate about,” she said.
Global impact
Ebeler is also a globally recognized researcher in viticulture and enology, having published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and given presentations around the world on topics ranging from flavor chemistry and sensory attributes of wine to undergraduate student experiences.
Her research on wine and flavor profiles has been recognized with the prestigious Honorary Research Lecturer Award by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture as well as being twice recognized as the Erasmus Mundus Visiting Professor, International Vintage Master Program, in Italy and France.
The global impact of her research has brought graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to study under Ebeler’s mentorship, many of whom credit her with shaping their careers.
“Under Sue’s leadership, I have watched woman after woman after woman pursue higher education and/or rise to leadership positions throughout UC Davis and beyond – myself included,” said Anne Han, clinical instructor at the University of Southern California. “Sue’s ability to balance grace, warmth and fearless know-how has made an everlasting impression, and I am fortunate to reference her example in my own career.”