Prospective Student News

UC Santa Cruz marks gains in transfer, frosh applications

High school seniors and transfer students showed record interest in UC Santa Cruz with the campus receiving more than 67,000 applications for fall 2018.

Two UCSC biologists receive Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor awards

Biology professors Beth Shapiro and Erika Zavaleta won HHMI funding for their innovative science education proposals.

UC Santa Cruz students tackle poverty and income inequality

Each year, undergraduate and graduate student scholars of the Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance take a deep dive into a wide range of issues related to fiscal equity, affordable housing, and food insecurity as they build the skills they will need to help build a more equitable society.

Navigating the path toward inclusion and equity

As Campus Diversity Officer Teresa Maria Linda Scholz nears her one-year anniversary on the job, she reflects on her work so far, where we are, and how far we have to go.

Boating center wins best-in-show at harbor's Lighted Boat Parade

The UC Santa Cruz Community Boating Center sailed away with the coveted best-in-show award at the 32nd annual Lighted Boat Parade held at the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor Saturday, Dec. 2.

State innovation funds supported hundreds of startups

With its share of AB 2664 funding, UC Santa Cruz developed a multifaceted innovation and entrepreneurship program.

Global SPHERE Network promotes research opportunities for high school students

A coalition of top U.S. educational institutions has launched a mentor network and online database to increase access to STEM research opportunities for high school students.

Central Coast community college students urged to chart course to UC

Higher education leaders told a room full of community college students that a University of California education is accessible and affordable for transfer students.

Cross country team finishes season with championship appearance

UC Santa Cruz’s cross country team wrapped up a banner racing season over the weekend as the men's team placed 26th at the NCAA Division III National Championships.

Tackling challenges on the way to a national championship

UC Santa Cruz’s men’s rugby team looks forward to a promising 50th season

Student-run hackathon scheduled for January 19-21 at UC Santa Cruz

CruzHacks 2018 is seeking sponsors to support the popular technology development event.

Solar greenhouses generate electricity and grow crops at the same time, UC Santa Cruz study reveals

The first crops of tomatoes and cucumbers grown inside electricity-generating solar greenhouses were as healthy as those raised in conventional greenhouses, signaling that "smart" greenhouses hold great promise for dual-use farming and renewable electricity production.

ENVS prof Elliott Campbell receives global environmental change award

Elliott Campbell, associate professor of environmental studies, will receive a 2017 Global Environmental Change Early Career Award from the American Geophysical Union during its December meeting in New Orleans.

MCD Biology launches undergraduate biomedical research initiative

Biology professor Jeremy Sanford is taking a bold new approach to the undergraduate biology lab experience.

Fishing physician

Alumnus Greg Olsen not only leads a successful medical practice, but also a booming commercial fishing business

UC Santa Cruz ranks in top 50 of global research universities, 5th for space sciences

UC Santa Cruz ranks fifth in the world for space sciences and is one of six University of California campuses ranked among the top 50 research universities overall, according to a study by U.S. News and World Report.

Social Sciences Dean Katharyne Mitchell steps in to leadership, asks others to step up, too

Two months into her new job, Social Sciences Dean Katharyne Mitchell has brought energy, focus, and vision to the division.

Physicist Michael Dine wins Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Physics

A UC Santa Cruz physicist has won the Sakurai Prize for the second year in a row.

Cross country bolstered by new faces

Bolstered by a crop of fresh faces who have already made an impact in the early season, the Banana Slugs returned a core group from last year’s squad, which placed seventh at the NCAA West Regionals.

Dean Alex Wolf leads growing engineering school in era of technological change

As he begins his second full academic year as dean, Alex Wolf discusses his first year and his plans for the future of the engineering school in a wide-ranging interview.

First observations of merging neutron stars mark a new era in astronomy

A UC Santa Cruz team made the first ever observations of a visible event linked to the detection of gravitational waves, using the small Swope Telescope in Chile.

$10.5 million education grant will help UC Santa Cruz prepare students for college

The Educational Partnership Center's “Paving a Path for a College-Going Generation” project plans to serve 1,930 at-risk, underrepresented students in the predominantly agricultural towns of Gonzales, Greenfield, Soledad, and King City.

Paleogenomic analysis sheds light on Easter Island mysteries

New paleogenomic research conducted by an international team led by UC Santa Cruz sheds light on the early inhabitants of Easter Island.

Lick Observatory hosts Latino students and parents for night of astronomy

An evening event for high school students and their family members, called La Noche de las Estrellas, was the observatory's first Spanish-language event.

Nearly 70 percent experience "rent burden" in Santa Cruz County, according to UC Santa Cruz survey results

Nearly 70 percent of renters surveyed in Santa Cruz County experience "rent burden," defined as spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities, according to preliminary results of a survey of 1,700 renters across the county conducted by UC Santa Cruz.

Sustainability plan charts course forward

By Elida Erickson, Sustainability Director — The campus community is invited to learn more about the new sustainability plan during an Oct. 19 kick-off event at the Arboretum.

Chancellor to tell students UC education is attainable, affordable

As part of Achieve UC, Chancellor George Blumenthal will speak to approximately 300 Pajaro Valley High School students about pursuing higher education.

Sound Designer and UCSC Alum Ren Klyce Makes All the Right Noises

With five Oscar nominations for film sound editing and mixing, UC Santa Cruz alumnus Ren Klyce’s career has taken a sky-rocket climb since he decided to major in music back in 1983.

UC Santa Cruz, community colleges seek to strengthen ties

A meeting with California higher education leaders has led to seven strategies to further strengthen ties between UC Santa Cruz and community colleges.

A megawatt researcher

Physics grad student Katie Hellier—who also has a degree in fashion—is doing research into new solar cell materials.

Move-in 2017: Jittery nerves and words of wisdom

Move-in week at UC Santa Cruz was a time for parental advice, long goodbyes, meeting roommates, exploring the wooded campus and making "fast friends."

Love 'em or hate 'em, robots are here to stay so let's make them better, says psychology prof

Leila Takayama's work focuses on improving the design and function of personal robots to make them more appealing to humans, expanding what they can do for us.

UC Santa Cruz ranks among top 100 U.S. universities

UC Santa Cruz is among the top 100 national universities, according to the latest rankings by 'U.S. News and World Report.'

Campus moving forward with Kresge renewal

In the coming years, UC Santa Cruz will embark on an extensive two-phase renewal and revitalization of Kresge College.

UC Santa Cruz ranked third worldwide for research influence

In a new analysis of the world’s top universities, UCSC ranked third in research influence as measured by the number of times its faculty’s published work is cited by scholars around the world.

Join campus effort to support first-gen college students, campus community

With more than 42 percent of undergraduate students as the first in their generation to attend college, UC Santa Cruz launched its First Generation Initiative in spring 2016. The program, modeled after the successful, pioneering efforts of UC Irvine, now includes all ten UC campuses.

Trump administration action on DACA

Together we are deeply saddened by and strongly disagree with the decision by President Trump today to effectively end the DACA program. This compassionless action imperils the futures of hundreds of thousands of Dreamers across our nation, including hundreds here on our campus who are pursuing the dream of a college education without fear of deportation.

Parents know best: How everyday conversations foster children's learning

For more than two decades, developmental psychologist Maureen Callanan has collaborated with Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose to study how children learn to think about the world around them.

Coastal wetlands dramatically reduce property losses during hurricanes

A new scientific study reports that coastal wetlands significantly reduce annual flood losses and catastrophic damages from storms.

Lessons of regional recovery from around the country

As the country's political and cultural divides appear insurmountable, Chris Benner says hope can be found at the local and regional level.

Tuning in to social justice

Professor-turned-radio show producer Sylvanna Falcón talks about the importance of public scholarship in the Trump era.

Campus hires interim athletics director

UC Santa Cruz has hired seasoned intercollegiate athletics director Greg Warzecka to lead its NCAA Division III program. He will serve on an interim basis until a permanent athletics director is hired.

UC Santa Cruz celebrates 50 years of organic farming

The three-day celebration culminated with a joyful dinner presided over by famed chef, restaurateur, and organic food advocate Alice Waters.

Two forums scheduled on planned expanded child care program

Two open forums are scheduled for early August to gather campus community input regarding a planned expanded child care program to serve students, staff, and faculty

Community day highlights college pathways, accessibility 

Politics PhD candidate named a Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar

Michael Wilson Becerril, a doctoral candidate in politics, has been named a 2017-18 Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar.

Intercollegiate athletics program charts course into the future

The NCAA Division III program, which has been under a budget cloud for the past several years, can now confidently look toward the future. The program has been bolstered by a new student fee, was recently restructured so it aligns with other successful Division III programs in the nation, and will head into the coming season with more awareness than ever before.

Did life begin on land rather than in the sea?

A paradigm-shifting hypothesis laid out by UC Santa Cruz astrobiologists David Deamer and Bruce Damer could reshape our idea about the origin of life.

Growing farmers and the food movement for 50 years

The experiment in organic gardening that began at UC Santa Cruz in 1967 is now the oldest university-based organic research and education facility in the country.

Campus admits record number of California transfers

UC Santa Cruz offered admission to 27,216 students for the upcoming academic year with a record number of offers made to California community college students. The largest portion of admissions offers—19,258 or 70 percent—are to California students.

'Little Cub' gives astronomers rare chance to see galaxy demise

A primitive galaxy that could provide clues about the early universe has been spotted by astronomers as it begins to be consumed by a gigantic neighboring galaxy.

Lick Observatory kicks off popular Summer Series

Natalie Batalha, who earned her doctorate in astrophysics from UC Santa Cruz, was the keynote scientist on the second evening of the 37th annual Summer Series at the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton.

First-generation stories: Headed to UCLA to continue cancer research

Our podcast catches up with new grad Hector Navarro, a first-generation college student who's off to big things.

Knight Foundation funds project on breaking 'filter bubbles' in science journalism

The Science Communication Program will explore ways to broaden the reach of science journalism and improve civic discourse on science-related issues.

LALS doctoral candidate wins Fulbright for study in Mexico

Candy Martinez, a doctoral candidate in Latin American and Latino Studies, has received a Fulbright grant to study how indigenous communities in Oaxaca, Mexico, define and cope with trauma.

Looking for life

Alumna Natalie Batalha, who made Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people on Earth, has discovered approximately 4,000 new planets—some of which may turn out to be capable of supporting life.

New graduates head into two-year teaching corps

Five UC Santa Cruz graduates are joining about 6,800 new graduates and professionals who have committed to work two years in rural and urban schools as part of Teach For America

Bettina Aptheker receives Dizikes Award for teaching in Humanities

Distinguished Professor of Feminist Studies Bettina Aptheker was presented with the John Dizikes Teaching Award in Humanities at the Humanities Division’s 2017 Spring Awards celebration held at the Cowell Provost House.

Campus preparing for commencement 2017

More than 4,800 UCSC students are earning undergraduate and graduate degrees for work completed during the 2016-2017 academic year.

Accelerating success: 5 startups chosen to jump-start businesses

The UC Santa Cruz Office of Research will provide $500,000 to the accelerator program, which serves early-stage technology businesses that have a product but haven’t started selling it. The accelerator will be run by Santa Cruz Works, a local nonprofit that supports science and technology companies.

Students present diversity project to state leaders

Student leaders presented a diversity project that received one-time state funding through the UC Office of the President.

Curriculum changes announced

By Martin Berger, Acting Vice Provost for Academic Affairs — Each year, departments add, update and, occasionally, discontinue academic programs in our ongoing efforts to ensure that we provide our students with the most relevant educational offerings.

Chancellor’s diversity awards recognize work, commitment

Chancellor George Blumenthal presented seven Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity, as well as the WiSE award, during a May 31 ceremony at the Colleges Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room.

Athletics fee referendum passes

Measure 68, which proposed a $38.50-per-quarter fee to support the NCAA athletics program and provide access to athletic-related activities to students who meet the Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) criteria, passed with 79 percent of voting students supporting the fee.

STEM Diversity graduation honors student achievement

"You are already catalyzing change," a speaker told students at the end-of-year celebration for graduating seniors and others in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

UC Santa Cruz to launch first-generation faculty campaign

UC Santa Cruz will launch the First-Gen Faculty (FGF) campaign during Student Achievement week, which starts June 5. This initiative is aimed at encouraging professors on campus to identify themselves as first generation — the first in their families to graduate from a U.S. four-year college or university.

Koret scholars present research at poster slam

The Koret Scholars Undergraduate Research Slam will feature poster presentations about topics as diverse as a protein link to heart disease, female authorship in science fiction and horror genres, and the qualitative impact that research opportunities can have on the undergrad experience.

Hands-on learning is the name of the game in archaeology

In a unique partnership, UC Santa Cruz is collaborating with California State Parks, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, and a private firm to give students hands-on experience in archaeology.

People of Color Sustainability Collective wins top honors

The Best Practice Award is the highest honor in the field of higher education sustainability in the state. It will be presented during the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference June 26–29 at UC Santa Barbara.

'Be so good they can’t ignore you'

Creative obsession and hard work led alumnus Kalen Egan to his role in producing one of Amazon’s most popular television series, The Man in the High Castle.

High school students wrestle with ethical quandaries

With coaching from the UC Santa Cruz Ethics Bowl team, underrepresented students from regional high schools gathered to discuss thorny questions on topics ranging from white privilege to sports and gender at the second annual Invitational Ethics Bowl.

Graduating senior propelled by curiosity and a desire to give back

Jenn Figueroa arrived at College Ten from her hometown of Northridge and proceeded to take advantage of every extracurricular program offered by College Nine and College Ten.

Diving in: Students in beginning swim class learn more than the backstroke

Students who never learned to swim are gaining confidence and relieving stress in level 1 swim class—as well as opening themselves up to new possibilities such as surfing and scuba diving.

Statement on fossil-fuel dependency

Technology doesn't have to be a headache

Psychology Professor Steve Whittaker is working to improve the way we interface with technology--and harnessing it to improve our well-being.

Sisters Julie and Kristen Gautier-Downes Turn Loss into an Art

Twin sisters, Julie and Kristen Gautier-Downes both decided to pursue the arts at UC Santa Cruz, graduating in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Julie earned her BA in Studio Art, with an emphasis in photography, and went on to acquire an MFA in Photography at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) while Kristen received a BA in Studio Art with a concentration in painting.

U.S. farmland becoming a hot commodity as investors buy up acreage

Institutional investors have been buying up farmland across the country in a trend that could have significant impacts on farmers.

Enrollment opens for UCSC Summer Session

Open enrollment is underway for UC Santa Cruz Summer Session, which offers a wide range of classes and online courses across multiple departments.

Campus status updates

Both entrances are open as of 5 p.m. Motorists should drive with caution.

Cultivating potential: How UC Santa Cruz is helping undocumented students thrive

Thanks to more than a half-dozen programs, undocumented students on campus have been able to get support, assistance, and encouragement—and the campus benefits from nurturing their passion and talent.

Students to consider sustainable funding model for intercollegiate athletics

The Office of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports is proposing a $38.50 -per-quarter fee, which if approved would provide the NCAA Division III program with approximately $1.1 million beginning in fall 2018.

Dancing for joy: Los Mejicas dance troupe provides a home away from home

For 45 years, the Los Mejicas folklorico dance troupe has connected students with their cultural traditions--and each other.

Social Sciences Professor Julie Guthman wins 2017 Guggenheim Fellowship

Julie Guthman, a professor of social sciences and a leading scholar on the history and geography of California agriculture, has been awarded a 2017 Guggenheim Fellowship.

Alums launch video game based on ancient Mesoamerican myth

"Ulama: Arena of the Gods," a collaboration from three Games and Playable Media alums, launched March 28 on the Steam platform.

Grad student composer wins commission to create new piece for Other Minds Festival

UC Santa Cruz grad student Brian Baumbusch has received a grant to create a new composition that will be performed at the acclaimed Other Minds Festival of contemporary music in 2018.

Honoring the legacy of César E. Chávez on campus

The legacy of César Chávez, who would have been 90 years old this Friday, includes deep and lasting relationships with many UC Santa Cruz alumni, faculty, and staff, whose lives were changed through the nonviolent farmworker movement that started in the ’60s and continues today.

Prop. 8 plaintiff Kris Perry receives Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award

"You only win your civil rights by fighting for them," says alumna Kris Perry, who will be honored at a reception on Friday, April 28.

Rescuing data and shoring up environmental agencies in the Trump era

Sociologist Lindsey Dillon is part of a network of data champions monitoring federal websites to preserve scientific data and track changes made by the Trump administration.

Water wizards: Building an underground savings account to bolster water supply

An innovative water-conservation strategy diverts water from overflowing rivers to fallow farmland, where it seeps into the soil and replenishes depleted aquifers.

Alumnus takes students into Africa

Melvin Cox's Focus on Africa class has taken more than a dozen students to the continent over the past two years, showing another side of Africa—one that is multiethnic and multicultural, with thriving cities and economic opportunities.

Graduate applications hit new high

The Office of Graduate Studies has received 4,744 applications for the 2017-18 academic year. In the last five years, the campus has marked a 36 percent increase in the number of applications.

Grad programs rank among best in nation

UC Santa Cruz graduate programs in literature, engineering, and education ranked among the nation’s best in a new survey by "U.S. News and World Report."

UC Santa Cruz named one of the country’s best colleges for undergraduate film majors

UC Santa Cruz is featured in a Top 10 list of Best Bachelor’s Program for Film, Video and Photographic Arts along with USC, NYU, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Rhode Island School of Design.

UCSC Grad Slam winner envisions surfing on shrimp shells

John Felts, a second year Ph.D. electrical engineering student, earned top marks for his talk about creating environmentally friendly surfboard foam from shrimp shells.

Campaign for UC Santa Cruz enters home stretch

The campaign is the university’s first campuswide effort to build a culture of giving in support of students, faculty, and campus programs. Launched in 2009 and publicly announced in fall 2013, the campaign has raised $311 million in gifts.

Men's volleyball ranks No. 2 in division

Each week committees from around the country in each division study the week’s match ups to determine the best teams.

Diversity, inclusivity key to a growing economy

The face of small business is shifting. From 2007–2012, Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. grew by 34.5 percent and African American-owned enterprises grew by 46.3 percent. A quarter of all new businesses were started by immigrants.

Donation by rugby alumnus lights up Lower East Field

The lights turned on this month, thanks to a generous donation by rugby alumnus George Kraw (1971), who played mostly “lock” and “break-away” on the first rugby team in 1967.

High-demand courses to be offered in summer session

The focus for summer 2017 is to offer high-demand courses in small class sizes. There will be 20 online courses, up from 11 last summer, as well as more than 250 on-campus courses across 30 departments.

Marlene Tromp selected as UC Santa Cruz campus provost and executive vice chancellor

Tromp will serve as the chief academic officer and provide academic leadership to UC Santa Cruz.

Welcoming Marlene Tromp to UC Santa Cruz

Tromp, vice provost at Arizona State University's West Campus and a professor of English and women and gender studies, will arrive on campus June 1.

Multicultural Career Conference poised to celebrate 30 years

The Multicultural Career Conference is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in early February, marking a long history of connecting students with alumni who know the challenges of beginning a career.

Science Internship Program creates opportunities for high school students

SIP alumni and their families are raising funds to extend the program's reach and support need-based scholarships.

A reimagined Science and Engineering Library

By Herbert Lee, Interim Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor — Saws are whirring on an innovative project to reshape undergraduate science education. Construction crews are converting the Science & Engineering Library’s S.H. Cowell Room into a 99-seat active learning classroom. The classroom, a first of its kind for our campus, is set to open next fall and is a significant first step in a multi-phased renovation for this library.

End of the pipeline

In a new book, Professor Flora Lu looks at the oil industry's impact on the Waorani, an indigenous Ecuadorian population living in a region renowned for its ecological diversity.

Access advocate Haben Girma to speak on campus

Girma's talk is part of Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit, a traveling interactive display created to build awareness about people with disabilities.

Santa Cruz receives $450,000 grant to study economic inclusivity in emerging countries

UC Santa Cruz will test and refine the foundation’s emerging inclusive economies framework in geographic contexts and markets.