Student Experience
Celebrating the Class of 2025: Innovators, advocates, and future leaders
Highlighting a handful of graduates who are ready to make a difference
UC Santa Cruz will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 during commencement ceremonies from Friday, June 13, to Monday, June 16, on the iconic Upper East Field.
These ceremonies and celebrations will recognize more than 4,600 undergraduate students and 675 graduate students who are earning their degrees this academic year. They are set to join more than 160,000 UC Santa Cruz alumni who are using their education to make a positive impact on the world. Check out photo coverage of the weekend’s events.
Here are just a handful of students who are ready to make a difference:
Blending technology and humanity
Tanvi Jambhale, who double majored in computer science and cognitive science, represents a generation of students intent on bridging the gap between innovation and human connection. Driven by a passion for the ethical and emotional dimensions of emerging technologies, she conducted undergraduate research that explored how people interact with artificial intelligence. After graduation, Tanvi will pursue her master’s degree at UC San Diego, with sights set on a Ph.D. and a career in research.
Advancing cancer research through hands-on experience
For Owen Moosman, a molecular, cell, and developmental biology major, UC Santa Cruz offered access to the kind of high-level genetics research that drew him to the campus. His work in the Kelley Lab was a defining experience, and his research with Dr. Joanna Kelley resulted in an award-winning manuscript that is currently under review by Heredity, a leading scientific journal—a rare feat for an undergraduate. Owen also found purpose in supporting fellow students as a peer advisor at Stevenson College. He now plans to pursue post-baccalaureate programs and a future in cancer research.
Championing social justice through the law
Psychology and Education major Arianna Fabian completed her degree in just three years—but her impact will be felt far longer. A community builder and advocate, she co-founded the Latine-centered pre-law student group LASO, collaborated with El Centro and Career Success to spotlight Latine legal professionals, and danced with Folklórico throughout her time on campus. Arianna will be volunteering with immigrant rights organizations while studying for the LSAT, with a goal of attending law school and becoming an immigration attorney.
Merging science, creativity, and advocacy
With a double major in Global and Community Health and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Nazeerah Rashad imagines a future that blends science with storytelling. A passionate performer with Rainbow Theatre and AATAT, she also mentored students through Black Academy and became its first undergraduate program coordinator. She hopes to one day make films that raise awareness of health disparities and is currently pursuing roles in higher education before getting her MFA in Drama.
Exploring language, identity, and community
Elliot Elyjah, a linguistics major, is breaking new ground in research on African American women’s language patterns in California, working closely with Professor Jaye Padgett to analyze regional variation and linguistic change. His work earned the prestigious Bertha N. Melkonian Prize. Throughout his time on campus, Elliot held several roles in service to others—mentoring for Black Academy, advocating at the Cantu Queer Center, outreach coordinator for AATAT, and stewarding for the BLM Garden. He aspires to become a linguistics professor.
These graduates exemplify the spirit of UC Santa Cruz—innovative, socially conscious, and driven to make a difference. As they transition from students to alumni, they carry forward the university’s legacy of excellence and community engagement.
For more details on the commencement schedule and related events, please visit the UC Santa Cruz Commencement website.
