Campus News
Transformative gifts will help students find their paths as changemakers
Experiential learning programs at the Institute for Social Transformation recently received $1.2 million in new funding to support the next generation of social impact leaders.
Students, staff, faculty, community partners, and major donor MR Macgill (right) celebrate the successful completion of the latest round of Transforming Futures internships through the Institute for Social Transformation. Photo: West Cliff Creative
Students in the Social Sciences Division at UC Santa Cruz often have high expectations for their careers. Many are looking not only for financial success and economic mobility, but also for job opportunities that allow them to apply their skills and knowledge in ways that help to make the world a better place. There are a multitude of professional avenues for achieving that goal, but discovering and navigating them can be difficult, especially for first-generation or low-income college students.
That’s why the Institute for Social Transformation developed a pair of student support programs that provide guidance and remove financial barriers to research and internship experiences, helping students find their perfect career fit. The Building Belonging Program offers funded undergraduate research positions, through which students receive direct mentorship from faculty while generating crucial new insights on pressing societal issues. And the Transforming Futures Program funds summer internships with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, allowing students to build professional skills and give back to their communities.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, both programs have received substantial new funding that will allow them to continue supporting students in the years ahead. Philanthropists MR Macgill and Ho Nam recently committed $888,000 in new funding for the Transforming Futures program, expanding upon the $534,000 they have given to support the program in past years. The new gift will partially fund the program through 2029, providing a stable foundation from which to pursue remaining fundraising needs. And a pair of anonymous donors provided a two-year, $320,000 gift for the Building Belonging Program that, when combined with institutional matching funds, will fully fund the program through its 10-year anniversary in 2029.
“At this point in our history, hundreds of students have had life-changing experiences through these programs and have gone on to achieve remarkable things after graduation,” said Galina Hale, faculty director of the Institute for Social Transformation. “These programs are a proven model for supporting the next generation of emerging leaders, so we know these gifts will have a profound impact, both on the lives of students and for the future of our society.”
Setting the course for successful, high-impact careers
The funding students receive through Institute programs is crucial for allowing them to advance their career goals while also meeting their basic needs. Many students who participate in the programs report that they would otherwise have had to spend their time working a job unrelated to their professional goals in order to make ends meet. Having the opportunity to engage in experiential learning instead helps students build their resumes, giving them a major leg up in the job market.
In fact, a 2025 preliminary evaluation of early-career outcomes from the Transforming Futures Program found that participants were 38 percentage points more likely to receive at least one job offer with a starting salary above the $67,316 national average for social sciences graduates. They were also 45 percentage points more likely to engage in post-graduation community service or civic work. And they consistently reported greater confidence navigating the labor market because of their experience searching for, interviewing, and obtaining an internship.
Meanwhile, the Building Belonging program has helped many students discover a passion for research and begin establishing themselves professionally through authorship credits in prestigious scholarly journals. Participants have been listed as authors on published articles for topics including immigrant rights, global governance, COVID mortality, and even solving centuries-old archaeological mysteries.
“This research experience has given me a new lens on how to go into my professional life,” said Edwina Malmberg, a former Building Belonging participant who is now pursuing a master’s degree in public health at UC Berkeley.
“The Building Belonging Program has inspired my passion for research that directly benefits underrepresented communities and solidified my path toward making a positive impact in our world,” said Evelin Vazquez, a 2024 Building Belonging participant.
Together, the Building Belonging and Transforming Futures programs are opening the door to opportunity for UC Santa Cruz social sciences students and benefiting society in the process. And now, thanks to the vision of donors, the impact of these programs is poised to grow in the years ahead.
Learn more about how to support the Institute for Social Transformation, or donate now to the Transforming Futures Program.