Campus News
Student volunteers recognized for community impact
Three student organizations are among this year’s honorees for the Be the Difference Award.
Project Smile Santa Cruz is a student-led nonprofit founded in late 2023, dedicated to eliminating oral health disparities throughout the county.
Three student groups are among this year’s honorees for the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County’s Be the Difference Award.
“It’s always an honor to celebrate volunteers. It’s extra special when they are student volunteers with many commitments, yet they prioritize their time to give back and connect with the community. Their dedication to service is a reflection of how we can all be the difference,” said Leslie Lee, Volunteer Center director of community engagement.
The Volunteer Center is honoring the top 50 individuals, groups, and businesses whose service through volunteerism strengthens the community.
The honor reflects a campuswide commitment to public service, which along with teaching and research, define UC’s mission.
The UC Santa Cruz-affiliated groups recognized this year are:
- Athletics
- Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority
- Project Smile Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz Athletics: A national leader in engagement
The UC Santa Cruz Athletics program, comprising 314 active student-athletes, demonstrates a deep commitment to service. Since July 1, the program has contributed 1,635 verified volunteer hours across 13 different organizations.
Student-athletes supported a wide range of efforts, including assisting with major local events like the Santa Cruz Triathlon and Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz, as well as supporting local nonprofits such as Grey Bears, Cardz for Kidz, and the Homeless Garden Project. This dedication was acknowledged nationally when UC Santa Cruz finished 8th in the country and was named the top school in California in the NCAA Community Engagement Impact Challenge. Beyond the numbers, this work empowers student-athletes to grow as leaders and fosters a lasting commitment to service.
Kappa Alpha Theta: Consistent support for CASA
The Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority at UCSC, established in 2017, maintains a dedicated, long-term partnership with CASA of Santa Cruz County.
A core group of volunteers provides consistent operational support. Their efforts include preparing mass mailings, assisting with data entry, lending skills to social media, and supporting fundraising events. This assistance allows CASA staff to remain focused on their core mission of serving children. The volunteers also proactively organize fundraising events and create thoughtful care packages for the children and families served.
Project Smile Santa Cruz: Bridging oral health gaps
Project Smile Santa Cruz is a student-led nonprofit founded in late 2023, dedicated to eliminating oral health disparities throughout the county. Recognized as a “Rising Star” at the 2024 Oral Health Conference, the organization has engaged approximately 1,500 to 1,800 individuals since its inception.
Volunteers host quarterly “Dental Drives,” where they demonstrate exceptional efficiency by assembling over 550 comprehensive hygiene kits per hour. These kits are distributed to high-need organizations, including the Homeless Persons Health Project and the Walnut Avenue Women’s Center. The group also mentors younger generations by teaching an oral health curriculum at local elementary schools, actively modeling a proactive approach to public health and bridging significant gaps in community care.
The collective volunteer efforts of these three UCSC groups showcase the powerful impact student-led service has on the Santa Cruz community.