Student Experience
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From KZSC to national acclaim
How Jesse Thorn built a radio empire from his roots at the UCSC campus station
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Breaking barriers and guiding others
As an outreach specialist with UC Santa Cruz’s Underground Scholars Program, Sammy Chavez (Rachel Carson ’25, Latin American and Latino studies and sociology) supports students navigating complex challenges in higher education. While completing his own degree, he was recognized with the Silver Slug Scholarship as a staff member pursuing his studies.
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Rooted in education, expanding opportunity
Inspired by a shared love of learning and a family of educators, alumnus Roger Koopmann (Stevenson ’80, economics) and his late husband, Tom Bullen (Ph.D. ’86, Earth sciences), established scholarships that give UC Santa Cruz students the chance to pursue research and study abroad experiences.
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Educational Partnership Center awarded $18.33 million in federal GEAR UP grants
UC Santa Cruz received two of the five GEAR UP Partnership grants in California, expanding educational access and opportunities for Central Coast students and families.
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Two UC Santa Cruz Education Ph.D. candidates receive 2025 National Academy of Education fellowships
Micah Card and Emanuel Suarez Jimenez were awarded the 2025 Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to study crucial emerging issues in education.
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UC Santa Cruz Alumnus Marty O’Reilly takes the stage on The Voice
Marty O’Reilly (Kresge ’12, environmental studies) turned three out of four judges’ chairs during The Voice blind auditions.
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UC Santa Cruz earns Seal of Excelencia recertification for student-centered approach
UC Santa Cruz is one of 18 colleges and universities to earn the Seal in 2025, reaffirming its place in a group of nearly 50 institutions that are taking responsibility for advancing student success.
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Life Beyond the Redwoods: Tanner Rowland at the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Tanner Rowland (Cowell ’24, politics) works as a congressional aide in the U.S. House of Representatives under the Office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta.
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Life Beyond the Redwoods: Ricardo Esquivel at Microsoft
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ricardo Esquivel (John R. Lewis ’24, computer science) works as a software engineer at Microsoft.
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Life Beyond the Redwoods: Arsema Moges at Apple
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Arsema Moges (College Nine ’24, technology and information management) works as an engineering product manager at Apple.
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Life Beyond the Redwoods: Jane Grantham at Warner Bros Entertainment and fortyseven communications
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Jane Grantham (Porter ‘24, art and design: games and playable media) held a contract role with Warner Bros Entertainment and recently started a new position at fortyseven communications.
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Life Beyond the Redwoods: Ryan Haraden at Georgetown University Law Center
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ryan Haraden (Stevenson ’24, intensive psychology) is a J.D. Candidate at Georgetown University Law Center.