2023  Alumni Profiles

Life Beyond the Redwoods: Noah Whitley reflects on the value of a UCSC degree one year later

One year after graduating from UCSC, Noah Whitley works as a legislative assistant for a political consulting firm that works closely with the California State Legislature.

El Centro Resource Center inspires alumna’s future career

Recent graduate Lorena Hernandez-Rivera strives to help others.

Stay connected with the Latino Alumni Network

UCSC's Latino Alumni Network (LAN) is a unique partnership of Chicanx and Latinx-identified alumni, and El Centro, the Chicanx Latinx Resource Center, which is a special support services program for current students at UC Santa Cruz.

A road to determination

Jade Goree entered UCSC unsure of her future path—until she found a community with Black Academy and the AARCC.

UCSC Alumni Awards 2023

The Alumni Association at UCSC is proud to celebrate this year’s honorees of the UCSC Alumni Awards.

UCSC Alumnus Leo Merle wins Gold for Team USA at the 2023 Parapan American Games

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Leo Merle (Rachel Carson ’20) won the gold medal in the Men’s T38 1500-meter race at the Parapan American Games on Nov. 21.

Linda Koval’s three-decade commitment

Alumna Linda Koval understands the challenges students face and wants to help break down barriers. She has supported UCSC through her time and resources for nearly three decades.

Bettina Aptheker honored for lifetime commitment to social justice

UCSC alumna and Distinguished Professor Emerita in Feminist Studies Aptheker was recognized for a lifetime of scholarly work and activism with the UCSC Ethos Award.

Life Beyond the Redwoods: Seeyade Gizachew shares insights one year after UCSC graduation

A health justice coordinator for RYSE Youth Center in Richmond, California, and a graduate student at UC Berkeley, Seeyade Gizachew (Stevenson ’22, community studies and psychology) is passionate about mentoring, education, and cultivating safe spaces.

Life Beyond the Redwoods: Maxwell Ward follows his dreams one year after UCSC graduation

One year after graduating from UCSC, Maxwell Ward (Cowell ’22, history of art and visual culture and anthropology) is pursuing a Ph.D. in anthropology with a focus on archaeology from McGill University in Quebec and is an editor at Collective Research in Anthropology Journal.

Life Beyond the Redwoods: Benny Mosqueira participates in groundbreaking research one year after graduating from UCSC

One year after graduating from UCSC, Benny Mosqueira is a research assistant for MCD Biology Assistant Professor D’Juan Farmer’s lab at UCLA.

Life Beyond the Redwoods: Teresa Faasolo reflects on her educational journey one year after graduating from UCSC

A year after graduating with a B.S. in computer engineering from UCSC, Teresal Faasolo (Merrill ’22) is a software quality assurance engineer at Digital Dynamics, Inc., based in Scotts Valley.

UCSC alumnus at the forefront of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Peter Gelpi is at the forefront of efforts to feed Ukrainians displaced by the war against Russia.

World-renowned supernova expert honored for breakthrough contributions to astronomy

Mark Phillips received the Alumni Achievement Award on Oct. 27, 2023, for his pioneering supernova research that led to the reversal of a major scientific theory on the trajectory of the universe, and for the indelible legacy he has left for aspiring astronomers.

bell hooks’s legacy turns a new page

For her remarkable legacy and lifelong contributions in the fields of literature and feminist studies, bell hooks posthumously received the Alumni Achievement Award on Oct. 27, 2023. Her family accepted the award on her behalf.

UCSC Alumnus Jim Lapsley helps build a future for Crown College

Pioneer alumnus Jim Lapsley, who was recognized with the Fiat Lux Award for his contributions to the Crown College Endowment, ruminates on his fundraising efforts and shares highlights from his life including his Crown experiences.

Alumna Lisa Rose celebrates legacy of support for Crown College

Crown College alumna and volunteer Lisa Rose (Crown ’72, literature) receives Fiat Lux Award for her dedication to Crown College.

Alumna Susan Nerton honored for contributions to Crown College

Crown College alumna and volunteer Susan Nerton (Crown ’71, ’87, psychology and computer and information science) receives Fiat Lux Award for her dedication to Crown College.

Award winning composer and television producer Ken Corday returns to campus for music recital

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Ken Corday will perform a solo piano recital on Nov. 17 at UCSC’s Music Center.

Alumna Alexis Jackson takes the lessons from the Pacific Coast near UCSC to the environmental policy tables of California

Championing community transformation

For his service to his community and the public, Abel Pineda received the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award on Oct. 27, 2023.

Alumna Kathryn Sullivan enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame

Kathryn Sullivan (Cowell ’73, Earth sciences) was the first American woman to walk in space, the first woman to reach the deepest point of the ocean floor, and the only person to ever do both. On Sept. 22, she was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Washington, DC.

Celebrating UCSC’s 2023 Alumni Award Recipients

Seven UCSC alumni will be presented with awards for demonstrating outstanding professional achievements, making distinct contributions to society, providing impactful contributions to UC Santa Cruz, and embodying the values and spirit of the university.

Alumnus Daniel Anderson receives Wilhelm Exner Medal for scientific achievement in business and industry

Alumnus Daniel Anderson received the 2023 Wilhelm Exner Medal in Vienna, Austria. The award—presented by the Austrian Industry Association (AIA), and dating back to 1921—is given to those who have made significant advancements in their respective scientific fields.

Alumnus Kevin Lunzalu wins major award for his work in plastics pollution reduction around the world

UCSC alumnus Kevin Lunzalu received an award from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This award is one of just 23 awarded to individuals and nonprofits across the globe from the first-ever inclusive GEF Assembly Challenge Program.

Empowering dreams

Alumna Birong Hu’s generous gift to Girls in Engineering paves the way for a new era of engineers, unlocking boundless opportunities and transforming futures.

UCSC alumnus drafted to Major League Rugby

UCSC alumnus Jackson Zabierek was the 18th pick in the 2023 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft by the Los Angeles Team (formerly Atlanta).

Alumni gather in the redwoods

Over the course of three days, hundreds of alumni returned to UC Santa Cruz for a weekend of events and celebrations.

Alumnus goes to great depths to sustain the study of oceans

After earning his Ph.D. at UC Santa Cruz, James Hein became world-renowned for his deep-ocean research. He has left an indelible mark in his field and is now leaving a legacy in Earth and Planetary Sciences at UCSC by establishing an endowment that will help prepare the next generation of geoscience oceanographers.

Kathleen Finlay brings UCSC education to the forefront in her fight for food sustainability and social justice

UC Santa Cruz alumna Kathleen Finlay is the president of the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming in the Hudson Valley and founder of Pleiades.

Alumni raise $1M for Crown College

Three UC Santa Cruz alumni spearheaded a campaign to raise $1M for the Crown College Endowment fund. With the help of their peers, they surpassed their goal.

Alumni Bill Fujioka chairs the Los Angeles Japanese American National Museum

Bill Fujioka’s career in public and civil service can be traced back over five decades. Currently, he serves as the Chair of the Los Angeles Japanese American National Museum.

Celebrating the success of a human-centered approach to supporting emerging scientists

Graduate school admissions, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship awards, and American Astronomical Society honors mark a banner year for UCSC's Lamat Institute.

Alumni Dr. Justin Cummings serves his community county and statewide

As the first African American man to be elected to the Santa Cruz City Council in 2018 and Mayor in 2020, the first African American person to serve on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, and newly appointed member of the California Coastal Commission, Dr. Justin Cummings is making an impact in his community.

Meet UC Santa Cruz’s FY24 Alumni Council

Twenty-four alumni leaders are actively serving UCSC and their fellow alumni as members of the Alumni Council. We are excited to welcome this year’s five new Alumni Councilors.

UCSC Alumna Madison Nguyen prepares for 2024 Santa Clara Board of Supervisors run

Madison Nguyen (Rachel Carson ’97, History) was born in Vietnam. When she was four, she and her family escaped in a fishing boat, eventually arriving in California. With support from her community, family, and UCSC, she has forged a strong and inspiring career in service.

Alumni on the frontlines of dental care

Through a partnership with Delta Dental of California, and two local nonprofits, alumni Anita Aguirre, Kenzie Ferguson, and Kristyn Glenn are changing the landscape of dental care accessibility in Santa Cruz County.

Alumna Stephanie Foo discusses her newest book

Stephanie Foo, longtime journalist and radio producer released her first book, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma, in February 2022

Latino Alumni Network returns to UCSC

The UCSC Latino Alumni Network aims to serve their community with the help of new Co-Chairs Amaris Trujillo and Guadalupe Sanchez.

George Kraw: Solidifying a long-lasting impact

George Kraw attributes his life successes to the education he received from UC Santa Cruz. An alumnus and longtime donor to the university, Kraw talks about his time as a student and why he chooses to support his alma mater.

Advancing Student Food Security

The university’s multi-pronged approach—including field-to-plate food security, expanded access and food pantry resources, holistic CalFresh support, student-centered basic needs research and assessment, and Slug Support program—works to ensure a safety net for UCSC students.

Excellence in Action: Celebrating UCSC’s 2023 Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award Recipients

Now in its seventh year, the Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award welcomes its 2023 cohort.

Golden Slugs use lessons learned to change the world

Among the magical moments of Alumni Reunion Weekend 2023 were the conversations among classmates who recounted stories of their days on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

UCSC prepares alumna for Peace Corps path

Alyssa Scarsciotti (Stevenson ’20, Sociology and Linguistics) dreamed of joining the Peace Corps since she was a child. After graduating from UCSC, Scarsciotti is making her dream a reality.

Peter Bratt announced as 2023 Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award recipient

Rockefeller Fellow, Peabody Award winner, Emmy-nominated film producer, writer, director, community organizer, and social justice activist Peter Bratt is UC Santa Cruz’s 2023 Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

Alumni Reunion Weekend: Celebrating Slugs of the past, present, and future

Over 150 alumni from the classes of 1965-1973 returned to campus April 14 & 15 to participate in Alumni Reunion Weekend. The class of ’73 celebrated their 50th reunion. Campus was bustling with current and admitted students and their families for Cowell and Stevenson Family Day and Banana Slug Day.

Rebecca London testifies in support of bill that would guarantee recess for California students

Associate Professor of Sociology Rebecca London testified before the California State Senate Education Committee on April 12 in support of SB 291, which would guarantee at least 30 minutes of recess per day for California students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Coming to Fruition

UCSC alumni Tallula Preston and David Purgason founded Watsonville based Fruition Brewing in 2019. Four years later, the duo’s establishment is a staple in the Santa Cruz and Watsonville communities.

Representing her community

A daughter of a Vietnamese refugee and a Mexican immigrant, Kim Bernice Nguyen advocates for her community as the youngest person to hold a seat on the Garden Grove City Council. In Jan. 2023, Nguyen announced her run for Congress.

A lifetime of service

Louie Campos graduated from College Seven—now Oakes College—with a cohort of seven other students. Oakes College’s mission deeply resonated with Campos, and after graduating he led a life of community and civil service.

Big Questions: Astronomer Father and Artist Daughter

An astrophysicist, musician, mentor, and inspiration, Bill Mathews died in September 2021. His daughter, Amey Mathews, began drawing portraits of him in his memory.

Alumni Councilor April Yee

April Yee joined the UCSC Alumni Council in 2017.

Leading and learning to save the world

CalEPA Secretary Yana Garcia heads California’s fight against the ongoing climate crisis with her UCSC education as her foundation.

Alumni Councilor Christy Martin

Christy Martin is currently serving as the Vice President of Finance for the UC Santa Cruz Alumni Association. Martin enjoys reconnecting with and giving back to the UCSC community, while helping to manage and grow funds that support alumni programs and student success.

Speaking his soul: John Rickford to speak at Distinguished Alumni Lecture

Stevenson College Distinguished alumnus John Rickford returns to UC Santa Cruz for a reading of a chapter of his memoir, “Speaking my Soul: Race, Life, and Language.”

Alumni Councilor Mario Galdamez

Mario Galdamez joined the UCSC Alumni Council in 2022. Since then, he has enjoyed giving back to the UCSC community, honing his leadership skills, reconnecting with the community, and supporting students.

Championing opportunity: Alumnus sponsors graduate student fellowships

UCSC alumnus and Stone Brewing Co-Founder Steve Wagner has funded summer research fellowships for four humanities graduate students over the course of four years.