Research Lunch & Learn - Federal research policy updates
2025-07-09 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
The administration transition has created a whirlwind of federal agency and policy changes, much of which has significant impacts on universities and research. Join John MacMillan, Vice Chancellor for Research, and Csilla Csaplár, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research, on July 9, 12-1 p.m. for an interactive discussion about current hot topics in the federal policy world.

Workplace Mental Health Training for Supervisors and Managers
2025-07-17 12:00
The Office of Risk Services has partnered with OHSU’s Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Services to provide mental health support training to UCSC supervisors and managers.
This evidence based program teaches leaders:

To identify employee mental health struggles
Appropriate ways to respond to employee warning signs
Practical strategies to reduce employee stress

Employees whose managers and supervisors were trained in this program report:

Reduced anger and loneliness
Improved feelings of support from manager
Increased feelings of team cohesion

This training is open to all supervisors and managers at UCSC. Our next training session will take place on Tuesday, October 14, and will comprise the following:

A self paced online training session
A live, virtual one hour session
A two-week voluntary virtual check in

If you would like to participate in this training on Tuesday, October 14,12:00 PM – 2:30 PM please fill out this form. Please note that space is limited. Folks added to the waitlist will be given priority for our next training session.

To learn more, please visit the Workplace Mental Health Training for Supervisors and Managers website.
If you have any questions about this training, please reach out to Jessica Bulleri, Campus Health and Well-being Manager, at jbulleri@ucsc.edu.

CASPA 2025 Summer Symposium
2025-07-19 13:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Building AI-Native Data Centers
The Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association invites you to join its annual all-day Summer Symposium where speakers will focus on Building AI-Native Data Centers: Innovations from Silicon to Software.
Panelists will explore advancements across the entire technology stack that are transforming the architecture and capabilities of next-generation data centers. As AI workloads scale in complexity and volume, infrastructure must evolve through tightly integrated innovation in compute, memory, storage, networking, power efficiency, cooling, orchestration, and security.
Leading innovators across the technology stack—from silicon to software—will share their insights on designing scalable, high-performance, energy-efficient, and trustworthy platforms that serve the demands of AI-native computing. The symposium will highlight how collaborative progress across silicon, systems, and software is reshaping the backbone of digital intelligence.
REGISTRATION
This event is open to all UCSC students and community members.
SPONSORSHIP
This CASPA event is co-sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering, and AI programs.

Effective Multigenerational Communication
2025-08-12 17:30 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Join the Silicon Valley NHRA and learning partner Steps for an interactive session using drama-based learning to improve communication across generations in the workplace. Through scenario-based activities, you'll explore real-world challenges and uncover how different generations approach work, communication, and leadership. Learn how this approach supports HR and talent strategies by equipping teams with the tools to build stronger connections and a greater sense of belonging. Discover how generational differences can become a strength—not a barrier—to organizational success.
This event is sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Human Resource Management Certificate Program.

Interested in a paralegal career?
2025-08-13 10:00
You are invited to join a free, online informational session to learn more about the Center for Legal Studies Paralegal Certificate Course©, a professional education program taught through the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Paralegal Studies program.
Topics

Career growth and earning potential

An overview of how CLS works with accredited college and university partners

Course pricing and payment options

Course materials and textbooks

Instructor and peer/student interactions

How the online course works

Q&A: There will be 15 minutes dedicated to Q&A, so please bring any questions you might have.
Register to receive the event recording
If you are unable to attend the webinar at this date and time, please still register and the BARBRI team will send out the recorded webinar for you to view.
This event is co-sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Professional Education Legal Studies program.

Lunch & Learn: Onboarding Graduate Students for Research
2025-08-13 12:00
Join colleagues from the Office of Research Compliance Administration and Baskin Engineering on August 13, 12-1 p.m., for a practical overview of onboarding graduate students in their role as researchers. This session will cover key institutional requirements needed before students begin research activities. Speakers will highlight common pitfalls, share best practices, and offer strategies to set students up for success.

AI Workshop: Spiking Neural Networks
2025-08-16 09:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Welcome to our immersive AI technology workshop series. During these sessions you will be introduced to new and established AI tools that will help you create and manipulate content in new and powerful ways. Each session is led by an industry expert who will guide you through the material and share its real-world implications.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the workshop, you should be able to

Describe and discuss the fundamental principles of Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs), including spike-based data representation, key neuron models (e.g., Leaky Integrate-and-Fire), synaptic operations, the current state-of-the-art in neuromorphic hardware, and the realistic short-term and long-term potential of SNNs in the broader AI landscape.
Explain the differences between Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) and traditional Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), articulating the motivational factors for SNN adoption such as energy efficiency and event-driven computation.
Demonstrate an ability to properly and effectively implement simple SNN applications (e.g., the XOR problem and a more complex use case) using tools like Nengo, understanding how information is encoded and processed through spike trains, and applying different training approaches for SNNs while contrasting them with traditional backpropagation and evaluating the challenges and opportunities in SNN learning.

Topics Include

Introduction to Spiking Neural Networks: What are SNNs? Visualizing spike-based computation.
Why SNNs Matter: Motivations (energy efficiency, neuromorphic hardware), real-world applications (robotics, IoT), and a realistic look at when they are most beneficial.
Core Concepts of SNNs: Spike-based representation (events, timing, frequency), simplified neuron models (LIF), synaptic function, and encoding strategies (rate vs. temporal).
Hands-On with SNNs (Nengo Demo): Interactive exploration of spike generation, parameter tuning, and visualizing network behavior.
Problem Solving with SNNs:
The XOR problem: Understanding challenges with discrete logic.
Applying SNNs to continuous, real-world analog-like problems.
Training Spiking Neural Networks: Exploring alternatives to backpropagation (e.g., evolutionary computation, PSO) and understanding the associated challenges.
The Neuromorphic Landscape: Introduction to key neuromorphic hardware (e.g., Intel Loihi, BrainChip Akida), their architectures, and real-world case studies.
Current Limitations and Future Outlook: Discussing speed vs. efficiency, challenges in tooling and frameworks, and the short-term and long-term vision for SNN adoption.

Students are required to bring laptops for class exercises.
This event is co-sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Professional Education Artificial Intelligence program.

Model Context Protocol: Why It Matters
2025-08-18 18:00
The Impact of Model Context Protocol
Join us for an engaging exploration of the Model Context Protocol—a groundbreaking framework designed to improve communication and context-sharing across AI agents. As AI systems become more modular and collaborative, MCP offers a powerful solution for maintaining continuity across tasks, tools, and models. This free, online event is sponsored by the AI Program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.

Topics

The origins and motivations behind MCP
How MCP structures and preserves context
The growing importance of MCP in the development of scalable, interoperable AI agent systems
Real-world use cases
Current limitations of MCP
How MCP is shaping the future of AI infrastructure
How to advance your knowledge and skills in this frontier technology.

Speaker
Praveen Krishna, AI Program chair and platform architect for Audio AI/ML Solutions, Performance & Power, Intel, teaches AI Essentials, Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Open Computer AI Agent by Hugging Face, Practical uses of DeepSeek/Llama, Computer Vision and Image Processing, and Capstone Building Integrated AI Applications.

Interested in a deeper dive into this topic?
AI Technology Workshop Series: Model Context Protocol (Aug. 29)
A one-day workshop held in person at the Silicon Valley Campus or online.

Programming with Rust
2025-08-19 12:00
Join us in learning more about Rust, one of the fastest-growing programming languages, which continues to be ranked the most-loved language by its users. Its user base, aka “Rustaceans,” has tripled in just two years as more and more software products are being developed in Rust.
In this fast-paced virtual overview with Danesh Forouhari, we’ll talk about:

The history of Rust
Problems Rust solves
Comparing Rust to other programming languages
Benchmarking data (vs. C & Go)
The good, the bad, and the ugly of programming with Rust
Running some sample Rust code, if time permits

Speaker
Danesh Forouhari, M.S., has more than 20 years of experience in the software development industry. He teaches Python for Programmers.
This fall info session is sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Professional Education Computer Programming certificate program.

Project and Program Management Info Session
2025-08-20 18:00
Project Leadership with Tim Bombosch
Join Program Chair Tim Bombosch for UCSC Silicon Valley’s Project and Program Management certificate, where you'll learn from PMI®-certified experts leading teams across top Silicon Valley companies. Gain the tools and strategies to define goals, estimate costs, manage risk, and deliver successful outcomes
.
Master Real-World Management Skills
Build expertise in both traditional and agile methods—Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, and more. This program satisfies PMI® training requirements and prepares you for the PMP® and CAPM® exams while equipping you to lead teams and drive results in today’s fast-paced business environment.

This fall info session is sponsored by the Project and Program Management Certificate program.

HireUC Alumni Career Fair
2025-08-21 12:00
The HireUC Alumni Career Fair is a hiring event designed for University of California alumni who are looking for early-and mid-level career opportunities. It offers a special chance for alumni to connect with employers from diverse fields and industries. Alumni from all 10 UC campuses are invited. UC alumni can attend the fair for free, but it’s important to register in advance to secure participation.
About Hire Talent

Since 2014, over 100,000+ attendees to Hire Talent Events
Created 1,000s of new careers
50% bachelors / 40% masters / 10% doctorate
Average experience of attendees: 6 years
500+ University Partners
25 Cities

Questions

Jeffrey Nortman jeff@gohiretalent.com
Patricia Nguyen, Director of Systemwide UC Santa Cruz Alumni & Diversity Initiatives patricia.nguyen@ucop.edu

Employers
If you work for a company looking to connect with alumni from the University of California graduating from various majors, degrees and career levels, please use the Employer Registration tab to get participate as a recruiter. Employer registration is open to all employers not just UC Alumni.

Regulatory Affairs and Medical Device Quality and Design – Fall Info Session
2025-08-21 18:00
Explore medical innovation with Kiran Gulati
Join medical device and biotech expert Kiran Gulati for a closer look at UCSC Silicon Valley’s Regulatory Affairs and Medical Device Quality and Design certificates. These programs equip you to navigate global regulations and bring safe, effective products to market.
Build in-demand skills in a regulated field
Learn FDA negotiation, risk management, and quality system standards like ISO 13485 and 14971. Whether you're aiming for RAC certification or advancing your career in biotech, this session will highlight how these programs prepare you for success in the fast-moving healthcare industry.
This fall info session is sponsored by the Regulatory Affairs and Medical Device Programs.

Learn to build AI Applications
2025-08-25 18:00
Explore the future of AI with Praveen Krishna
Join Program Chair and AI expert Praveen Krishna for an insider’s look at the University of California’s first certificate in AI Application Development. Learn about the growing number of jobs involving AI, the skills you'll need to build a competitive resume, and the UCSC Silicon Valley classes that will support your development.

Get career-ready AI skills
Taught by Silicon Valley leaders, this program helps you master machine learning, advanced AI techniques, and portfolio-building projects. Whether you're in tech, research, or career transition, this certificate gives you the skills to stand out in a fast-growing field. Don’t miss this chance to learn from the expert guiding the future of AI talent.
This info session event is sponsored by the AI Application Development Certificate program.

Jobscan for Job Seekers: Tools to Help You Get Hired
2025-08-26 17:30
Make your resume work smarter with Jobscan

Learn how to create tailored resumes and cover letters using Jobscan’s free AI-powered tools. In this hands-on session, you’ll discover how to optimize your application materials for specific job postings, track the positions you’ve applied to, and make the most of Jobscan’s features to stay organized and stand out in your job search.
This session is open exclusively to UCSC and UCSC Extension students.

Educational Therapy – Free fall Info Session
2025-08-26 18:00
Transform learning with Sharmila Roy
Join Educational Therapy program chair Sharmila Roy for a thoughtful program overview and hear how the uniquely designed curriculum empowers educators and professionals to make a lasting impact– in the classroom and beyond. As one of the few AET-approved programs, you’ll learn to assess learning challenges and apply effective, research-based interventions.
Empower students and build your practice
Gain skills to support students with learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD, and autism using therapeutic and educational strategies. Whether you're working in schools or starting a private practice, this program helps you create individualized plans that foster meaningful progress.
This fall info session is sponsored by the Educational Therapy certificate program.

Faculty & Staff Health and Well-being: Create Calm: Stress Management Tools to Support Well-being
2025-08-28 12:00
Now more than ever, we need to be equipped with tools and strategies to adapt to stressors both in the workplace and in our personal lives. In this workshop, you will learn simple, science-backed techniques including breathwork, mindfulness, and self-reflection to help manage stress and build better resilience for the future. Then you will discover how a holistic approach utilizing everyday healthy habits can help to proactively support mental well-being and create more space for calm.
To register, please fill out the registration link. This presentation will be recorded and made available after the meeting.
For more information about upcoming workshops and events, please visit the Wellness Event Calendar.
For questions, please contact Health and Well-being Specialist, Ashley Parker, at aseparke@ucsc.edu.

Networking Tools for Your Career
2025-08-28 17:30
Learn how to grow your professional connections using the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension LinkedIn Alumni Tool. In this interactive session, you’ll discover smart strategies for expanding your network, reaching out with confidence, and asking for informational interviews that lead to real insights—and real opportunities.
This session is open exclusively to UCSC and UCSC Extension students.
Learn more career tips.

Data Science and Data Analytics – Fall Info Session
2025-08-28 18:00
Master Data with Instructor Partha Padmanabhan
Join us for a conversation with Partha Padmanabhan, Chair of our Data Science and Data Analytics programs, and discover how our DSDA certificate is built to help professionals translate data into smart, strategic business decisions. Get an inside look at the tools, techniques, and real-world AI applications shaping today's fast-moving analytics landscape.
Choose Your Path: Science or Engineering
Whether you're analyzing data or building the systems behind it, you can specialize in Data Science or Data Engineering and earn a digital badge. This program prepares analysts, scientists, and IT professionals to thrive in a data-driven world.
Speaker
Meet Parthasarathy Padmanabhan, M.B.A., principal software engineer at one of Silicon Valley’s leading technology companies, and get your questions answered. Parthasarathy brings more than 25 years of experience in information technology to his role and has worked in data modeling for more than 10 years. He teaches "Data Analysis" and "Business Intelligence Solutions," and began serving as chair of the Data Science and Data Analytics Advisory Board in 2020.
This fall info session is sponsored by the Data Science and Data Analytics Program.

AI Workshop: Model Context Protocol
2025-08-29 10:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Welcome to our immersive AI technology workshop series. During these sessions you will be introduced to new and established AI tools that will help you create and manipulate content in new and powerful ways. Each session is led by an industry expert who will guide you through the material and share its real-world implications.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this hybrid-style workshop, you'll be able to:

Explain the core principles and motivations behind the Model Context Protocol (MCP), including its role in AI Agentic system communication and AI model integration.
Identify the structure and components of an MCP message and understand how context is preserved and passed across tasks or AI agents.
Implement simple MCP interactions in a controlled setting using real-world tools and libraries.
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of MCP in current AI Agentic system architectures, including scalability and interoperability.

Topics Include

MCP Basics: What is Model Context Protocol and why does it matter in AI pipelines and agent interoperability?
Message Anatomy: Structure, metadata, tokens, and temporal context.
Live Demo: Walking through an MCP message lifecycle-create, modify, pass, and interpret.
Hands-On Lab: Building a mini MCP-based interaction (e.g., agent-to-agent communication or contextual memory pass).
Challenges & Use Cases: Real-world applications, common pitfalls, and current limitations.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of LLM and AI Agents.
Note: Please bring a laptop and have Google, GitHub and Hugging Face accounts to participate in hands-on exercises.

Human Resource Management Info Session
2025-09-03 18:00
Build Stronger Teams and a Smarter HR Strategy

What does it take to grow and lead high-performing teams in today’s AI-enhanced workplace? Hear from Philip Ziman, chair of the Human Resource Management certificate program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension. Learn about the practical, people-focused program designed for current and aspiring HR professionals.
Topics

Connect HR strategy with business outcomes
Use people analytics to inform decision-making
Sharpen your skills in talent acquisition, leadership development, and employee engagement.

Earn HRCI and SHRM recertification credit + PDUs in a program that is both career-ready and future-focused.
This fall info session is hosted by the at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.

Marketing Management Info Session
2025-09-04 18:00
Customer-Driven Marketing: Build the Skills Today’s Marketers Need
In a world where buyers expect personalization, speed, and relevance, staying ahead means mastering modern, AI-enhanced marketing strategies. Explore how UCSC Silicon Valley’s Marketing Management certificate helps you align marketing and sales, harness the power of social selling, and launch data-driven, multi-channel campaigns that truly connect with your audience.
Shape Your Career, Your Way
With electives in digital marketing and strategy, you can tailor your learning to sharpen skills in campaign execution, data analysis, and brand communication. Discover how to integrate cutting-edge tools and programmatic approaches to increase your marketing impact in an ever-evolving landscape.
Marketing Management program chair Ly Pham, a seasoned marketing executive with deep insight into what today’s professionals need to succeed will lead this fall info session.

Using AI in UX: Explore the latest tools
2025-09-05 18:00
Creating the Experience: UX, AI, and Responsive Design
Join us for a dynamic UX info session that blends creativity, technology, and collaboration. Discover how UX and AI work together, explore the principles of user-centered design, and see how advanced CSS brings responsive, visually stunning interfaces to life.
We’ll highlight 3 engaging courses

Collaborative Design: Enhancing UX with AI
an introduction to tools like Figma and Miro in agile team settings
User Experience Design Fundamentals
a look at design thinking and strategies for creating impactful products
Designing with Cascading Style Sheets, Advanced
showcasing techniques for sleek, mobile-ready websites.

Whether you’re exploring UX for the first time or expanding your knowledge, this event will spark new ideas and possibilities.
This virtual info session series event is sponsored by the User Experience and Web Design Certificate program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.

Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering– Free info session
2025-09-08 17:00
Design the Future of Semiconductors with Arvind Vidyarthi
Curious about where a career in chip design can take you? Join Program Chair Arvind Vidyarthi for an inside look at our Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering certificate—a program built for engineers who want to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Whether you're drawn to Front-End logic and verification or the Back-End world of physical design, this program offers hands-on training with industry-standard EDA tools and a curriculum shaped by real Silicon Valley demand. Get the skills employers are looking for—and the confidence to step into your next big opportunity.
Hosted by the Silicon Chip Design and Semiconductor Engineering Program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.

Narcan Training for Faculty and Staff
2025-09-09 10:00
Narcan is a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug. Join us in this workshop as we learn the following:

How to use Narcan

When to use Narcan

Narcan FAQs

Where to find Narcan locally

To register, click on the following registration link.
To learn more, please visit the Narcan wellness initiative webpage.

AI Business Practices Fall Info Session
2025-09-09 18:00
Practical AI for workplace automation
Discover how nontechnical professionals can harness the power of AI in everyday work. Join program chair Hien Luu for an inside look at AI Business Practices—a hands-on specialization designed to help you boost efficiency with free, easy-to-use AI tools and smart prompt strategies.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Learn how to streamline tasks like presentations, reports, and project planning while gaining practical skills in prompt engineering, AI agent setup, and ethical AI use. This program is built for real-world impact—no coding required.
This fall info session is sponsored by the AI Business Practices Specialization.

Professional Certificates for International Students
2025-09-10 08:00
Interested in a professional certificate at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension?
A professional certificate is a fantastic way to develop your career, learn from industry experts, and experience Silicon Valley. We offer numerous exciting programs in technology and business.
Visit our International site for more information.
Prospective international students
Please click here to schedule an online meeting with an advisor.

Mondays, 5-7 p.m. (PT)
Wednesdays, 8–10 a.m. (PT)

Current international students
Already studying with us? Please email us: extensioninternational@ucsc.edu to meet with an international advisor in person or online.
Call: +1 (408) 450-4945 | extensioninternational@ucsc.edu

Research Lunch & Learn - Budgeting and Budget Management 101
2025-09-10 12:00
Comprehensive, timely, and accurate financial management is foundational for effective research portfolio support and decision-making. In this session, Office of Research and divisional experts will focus on ways to identify commonly missed budget items and how to better track variances from the budget. Join Jen Huber, OR Senior Research Accountant, Melissa DiOrio, Manager of Proposal Administration, and a divisional research accountant on September 10, 12-1 p.m., for a discussion about projection sandboxes that can be shared with PIs, as well as PI-centered ways to discuss spending.

Get Certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED!
2025-09-12 12:00 | Scotts Valley Center
This Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED blended learning course equips you to recognize and care for various first aid breathing and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children, and infants. It is designed for individuals who need a certification that satisfies OSHA workplace or other regulatory requirements.
This class is taught in a blended learning format and the online portion must be completed before attending the Instructor-led skills session. A valid 2-year digital certificate for Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED is issued upon completion.
This training will be held on-site at the Scotts Valley Center. To register, please fill out the registration link.
For more information, please visit the Occupational Health Training website.
For questions or to schedule a training for your team, please contact Occupational Health Specialist, Elizabeth Tomlinson, at ektomlin@ucsc.edu.

Mental Health First Aid Certification
2025-09-16 10:00
Be prepared to support those around you by getting certified in Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid teaches the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as how to provide someone with initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help. In the course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies to help someone in crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.
We encourage all staff and faculty to take advantage of this opportunity. Whether you work directly with students or behind the scenes, your participation in MHFA training is a crucial step in building a resilient and supportive campus community.
To register, please fill out the registration link.
For more information, please visit the Occupational Health Training website.
For questions or to schedule a training for your team, please contact Occupational Health Specialist, Elizabeth Tomlinson, at ektomlin@ucsc.edu.

Kickstart your Internship Search
2025-09-16 15:00
Are you looking to land an internship for the Summer of 2026? Believe it or not, now is the time to start preparing! Join us for a practical webinar designed to help you kick start your search with confidence.
Whether you’re gearing up for your first application cycle or looking for new tips, this session will walk you through the essential first steps:

Building a strong resume
Where to look
How to apply

You’ll come away with insider tips on what employers are really looking for, how to leverage your existing skills and projects, and where to focus your energy to be as efficient as possible in this process.
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.
