Events

Seymour Center Homeschool Day: Spectacular Science
2026-10-30 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Calling all homeschool families! Join the Seymour Center on Friday, October 30, at 10 a.m. for a morning of hands-on science investigations, aquarium feeds, a scavenger hunt, and lots more.
• Enjoy hands-on science investigations, crafts, and a scavenger hunt.
• Make an enormous whale skeleton appear in front of your eyes, then walk inside it with our special virtual reality experience.
• Touch live bat stars and crabs, and learn about bone-eating zombie worms and hagfish.
• Marvel at Ms. Blue, a massive blue whale skeleton, and discover how science and engineering innovations helped us restore this beloved Santa Cruz icon.
Admission fees apply. Special activities are included at no additional cost.
RSVP here by October 15 to receive details and activities.

Engineering Teaching Community (Faculty)
2026-10-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-10-14 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-30 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
During the chaos of a quarter, is it hard to find time to reflect and improve as an instructor? Would you like to be a part of an inclusive, supportive group of engineering instructors who do this in community? ETC is for sharing teaching experiences, classroom ideas, research on learning, and methods that support instructors and students. All are welcome, and lunch is provided. Please reach out to Jenny Quynn with questions.

Taking Charge of Change: Five Fundamental Truths for Mastering the Chaos of Life
2026-10-21 12:00 - 13:00 | CA
Taking Charge of Change: Five Fundamental Truths for Mastering the Chaos of Life With Jim Hjort
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 | Noon PT
Virtual via Zoom
Hosted by the UCLA Alumni Association, open to all UC alumni
Change is the only constant in life, and every day we are called to reckon with this. Today, it may be most apparent to you in national or global tumult, a career pivot you’re contemplating, or relationship dynamics you’re struggling to tweak or adapt to.
However it shows up, you can count on the rug continuing to shift beneath your feet. And your brain really doesn’t like that, at least by default. In its frenzy to find stability today, it will leap to ways of thinking and behaving that will leave you feeling even more stuck, stifled, and afraid tomorrow. Yet, if you are inclined toward personal growth, you can use the tidal forces of change to propel you to ever-greater wisdom, inner stability, and even growth.
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Lineages of Workers Inquiry in the U.S.
2026-10-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Hay Barn, 94 Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, United States
The 1970s saw a burst of working-class struggle in the United States. In a moment of crisis, workers responded with courage and determination to fight back. A wave of strikes and rank-and-file rebellion led a number of feminist scholars and activists to investigate, contextualize, and broadcast this activity. Some engaged in oral history, others in participant observation by obtaining jobs in different industries. They asked crucial questions about what the meaning of class relationships, the connection between historical memory and ongoing struggles, and the significance of social reproduction in analyzing exploitation and resistance.
In our present, as younger generations enter the labor movement through union drives, salting, strike support, and other paths, this body of research and action offers valuable lessons.
With: Ann Bookman, Gail Hershatter, Vicki Ruiz, Pat Zavella
Moderator: Patrick King
OCTOBER 20, 2026 | 6 PM-8 PM
COWELL RANCH HAY BARN
94 RANCH VIEW RD, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95064

Dance Masterclasses with NBA Dancers Caroleen Chang (Golden State Warriors) & EJ Aban (Sacramento Kings)
2026-10-17 12:00 - 16:30 | West Field House, Rachel Carson College Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Come train with the UCSC Spirit Squad and our incredible masterclass teachers at our Fall Clinic on October 17th!
We are hosting classes in contemporary with Caroleen Chang and hip hop with Emil “EJ” Aban! You won’t want to miss the opportunity to learn from these talented NBA dancers!
Secure your spot!
Find the registration form on our Linktree here or by visiting our Instagram (@ucsc_spirit).
You can sign up for one or both of these classes.
#ucscspiritsquad

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.

Harvest Festival
2026-10-17 11:00 - 15:00 | UCSC Farm, 152 Farm Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Connect with community on the campus farm at the annual Harvest Festival! Harvest Fest will have activities for all ages including face painting, flower pressing, pumpkin painting, cider pressing, tractor rides, live music, and more! Plus, enjoy food and treats from local food trucks, participate in an apple pie bake-off (more info coming soon), connect with local organizations, and enjoy the campus farm. Full list of activities coming soon.

Cost: $5 for general public; free entry for current students of UCSC, Hartnell and Cabrillo College, Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden members, and children under 12. Cash preferred at the entrance gate.

Transportation and parking: We encourage carpooling, walking, biking, or taking the bus if you are able to! Parking info coming soon. Logistics: Please do not harvest any of the crops on the farm during your visit. The crops grown on the farm feed students in need and support our research and programming. We encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to save plastic and stay hydrated! Pets are not allowed on the UC Santa Cruz campus (with the exception of service animals). The Harvest Festival is presented by the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, the Food Systems Working Group, Measure 43 and Life Lab.

The UCSC Farm has moderately steep slopes and uneven terrain. If you require accommodations to fully participate, contact agroecology@ucsc.edu.

Photo-Jim Clark

Seymour Center's Art in the Aquarium
2026-10-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-19 10:30 - 11:30 | Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Dive into your creative side and make a splash with us! 🎨🌊
Bring the whole family and unleash your inner artist while surrounded by fascinating ocean life. Whether you’re a budding painter or just looking for a fun weekend activity, you’ll leave with your very own sea-inspired masterpiece to take home! 🐠✨
Join us on the third Saturday of every month for a fun art project with a talented Seymour volunteer!

Volunteer at the UCSC Arboretum
2026-10-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Arboretum, 122 Arboretum Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Volunteer Information Sessions at the Arboretum
Do you love gardens and gardening? The UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden has a wonderful community of staff, students, and volunteers, ready to welcome you. Opportunities include staffing our gift shop & retail nursery and working to care for our gardens and greenhouses.
To learn more, join us at one of our monthly information sessions. They go for about 45 minutes and include an easy walk through the gardens.
To attend, please fill out our simple volunteer interest form at the bottom of our volunteer webpage found here: https://arboretum.ucsc.edu/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/
If you need a different day and/or have mobility issues please let us know in the “Notes” section of the Interest Form.
Thank You!

Seymour Center's Seaside Storytime
2026-10-10 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Get ready to set sail on a storybook adventure! 📚 ✨ It’s the ultimate weekend treat to spark big imaginations, foster a love for nature, and nurture the next generation of ocean heroes! 🌊 🐚 📖
Our friends at Bookshop Santa Cruz have hand-selected a collection of books about the environment that are perfect for young readers. We hope to see you there!
Join Seaside Storytime on the second Saturday of every month!

First Saturday Tour at the Arboretum
2026-10-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Arboretum, 122 Arboretum Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your knowledge of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide, and the people who join in. For example, you might learn about the birds and mammals that make this land their home or about the amazing physical adaptations that plants have evolved to better deal with our extreme weather and climate conditions. Tours are free with paid admission.

Free Guided Tour of the UCSC Farm
2026-10-03 10:00 - 13:30 | UCSC Farm, 152 Farm Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Take a free, guided tour of the 30-acre organic UCSC Farm. Visitors can enjoy touring the organically managed greenhouses, hand-worked garden beds, orchards, row crop fields, and children’s garden, while learning about the history of the site and the basic concepts of organic farming and gardening. Perched on a meadow near the campus entrance, the farm also offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. Heavy rain cancels.
Tours will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the following dates (please RSVP for the tour of your choice):

Saturday, July 11
Saturday, August 1
Saturday, September 12
Saturday, October 3

The Mindful U: Finding Calm, Clarity + Connection in a Chaotic World
2026-09-30 12:00 - 13:00 | CA
The Mindful U: Finding Calm, Clarity + Connection in a Chaotic World With Jessica Sanam Hekmat
Thursday, Sept. 30, 2025 | Noon PT
Virtual via Zoom
Hosted by the UCLA Alumni Association, open to all UC alumni
This interactive session, led by career coach Jessica Sanam Hekmat, invites participants to pause and reset to cultivate presence and self-awareness as they navigate professional and personal demands. We’ll explore practical mindfulness tools and reflective prompts designed to foster resilience, regulate stress and re-energize focus. The conversation will balance strategy and self-inquiry, and we’ll ground ourselves together in real time through guided breathwork, reflection, and visualization. Participants will leave with practical ways to reconnect to their values and sense of purpose, even when the external environment feels unpredictable.
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Science in the Neighborhood - Extrasolar planets and astrobiology: 30 years of discovery
2026-09-24 18:00 - 19:30 | CA
Presentation by Natalie Batalha, Professor, UC Santa Cruz
Professor Batalha is the director of the Santa Cruz Center for Astrobiology, which aims to advance interdisciplinary research and academic opportunities focused on the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe.
The presentation will be followed by a live Q&A. Free and open to the public.
Register to attend.
The event is in-person only.
September 24, 2026 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Science In the Neighborhood is a public lecture series hosted quarterly by the UC Santa Cruz Science Division.

International Fall Welcome
2026-09-23 20:00 - 21:30 | Colleges Nine and John R. Lewis College Multi-purpose Room, 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
College Nine/John R. Lewis and International Student Services and Programming invites you to come celebrate the start of fall quarter at our annual International Fall Welcome!
Swing by to meet UCSC Slugs from all over the world, enjoy refreshments, and participate in fun activities. No RSVP required.
Questions? Contact us at iprogramming@ucsc.edu.

Student Employment & Work Study Fair
2026-09-23 13:00 - 15:30 | Upper East Field
Looking for an on-campus and/or work-study role? Considering an off-campus job? Join us on the Upper East Field and Network with on-campus departments and of-campus partners actively searching for new student employees, including a key focus on employers offering work-study positions. Students from all class levels and disciplines are encouraged to attend. Register in Handshake.
Contact slugtalent@ucsc.edu for accessibility support at least two weeks prior to the fair date.
Questions? Email slugtalent@ucsc.edu
Career Fair registrations are made without endorsement, direct or implied, by Career Success or UCSC. Career Success educates students about various opportunities and ensures equity of access to campus recruiting activities for all employers who abide by our Employer Policies. Individual students are encouraged to determine which employers align with their diverse talents, values, and interests.
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.

ISO San Francisco Day Trip
2026-09-19 08:30 - 17:00 | Quarry Plaza, Student Union, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Welcome, New International Slugs!
Come join International Student Services and Programming and fellow new international students on a fun day trip to the city of San Francisco. We will be traveling together to visit some famous sites and catch a glimpse of one of the world’s greatest cities.

Click here to RSVP for our day trip. Confirmation emails will be sent to students prior to the event. Students must reply to the confirmation email to secure their spot on the bus.

—
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 8:45 – 17:00
Meeting Point: Quarry Plaza – UCSC Campus
Destination: San Francisco, CA
Cost: $40 per person (billed to your student accounts)

Students must confirm or cancel their reservation via email by Friday, September 18 at 17:00.
Failure to cancel or being late and missing the bus will result in a $40 fee billed to the student’s account.

—

Itinerary:

Board shuttle from Quarry Plaza at 8:45
Travel to San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Pier 39/Fisherman’s Wharf (lunch and shopping)
Begin return trip to Santa Cruz at approximately 15:00
Drop off at Downtown Santa Cruz or UCSC Quarry Plaza at appx. 17:00

ReView
2026-09-19 01:00 - 2026-10-27 00:59, 2026-09-18 01:00 - 2026-10-26 00:59, 2026-09-17 01:00 - 2026-10-25 00:59, 2026-09-16 01:00 - 2026-10-24 00:59, 2026-09-15 01:00 - 2026-10-23 00:59, 2026-09-14 01:00 - 2026-10-22 00:59, 2026-09-13 01:00 - 2026-10-21 00:59 | Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery, Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery
August 13-September 19, 2026
Opening celebration and Artist Talk
Saturday, August 15, 2-4:30 p.m
Light refreshments will be served.
Summer Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 1-5pm
ReView: UC Santa Cruz Arts Alumni Exhibition features Arts Division alumni from the Monterey and San Francisco Bay Areas. Curated by Valéria Miranda, the Sesnon’s Director, ReView includes a wide variety of media and techniques highlighting the diversity of contemporary practice of alumni who graduated from 1972 to 2025. The exhibition title alludes to the portfolio critique process and suggests ideas of reflection and reevaluation—whether revisiting past work, rethinking materials, or tracing how a practice evolves over time.
This exhibition celebrates the creative path of artists who began their journeys at UC Santa Cruz. United by shared roots yet defined by distinct paths, the participating alumni reflect the lasting influence of the Arts Division programs. Their works speak to the spirit of inquiry, experimentation, and perseverance that has long shaped the university’s artistic community.
ReView presents an opportunity for the campus and larger community to see the professional practice of these artists who continue to build on the creative foundation that they received at UCSC and to inspire our current students, offering visualization of their own future artistic journeys after graduation.
ReView offers a unique opportunity for returning alumni to celebrate their creative expressions while reconnecting with classmates and the university community.
Admission is free and open to the public.
More Information

When Traditional Career Advice Doesn't Fit Your Brain: ADHD at Work
2026-09-17 12:00 - 13:00 | CA
When Traditional Career Advice Doesn’t Fit Your Brain: ADHD at Work With Kelly George
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 ǀ Noon PT
Virtual via Zoom
Hosted by the UCLA Alumni Association, open to all UC alumni
Many professionals with ADHD feel like they’re not living up to their potential at work—but aren’t always sure why. Challenges with focus, follow-through, communication, and managing competing demands can impact performance, even when ability is not the issue. This session offers a practical approach to understanding and navigating ADHD in the workplace. Participants will learn how these patterns show up day-to-day, how they affect productivity and collaboration, and what to do about them. The workshop focuses on strategies for managing focus and follow-through, as well as identifying or adapting work environments that better support how you function.
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International Student Orientation (ISO)
2026-09-17 01:00 - 2026-09-19 00:59 | Classroom Unit, Classroom Unit, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, Select a Country:
Welcome new international students!
International Student Orientation (ISO) is designed to help you get to know other students, learn more about the campus, and ease your transition to UC Santa Cruz, with a focus on international student challenges and intercultural adjustment. During orientation, you will meet Global Engagement staff, connect with our Global Leaders (continuing undergraduate students), and learn about campus resources to support your studies and success as a Banana Slug.
Orientation takes place on the UC Santa Cruz main campus and is required for all new, incoming international students in F-1 or J-1 status. More information on preparing you for your arrival at UC Santa Cruz can be found under “Pre-Arrival Orientation” in iGlobal.
Note: Students who consider themselves international but are not in F-1/J-1 status are also welcome to register and attend.
Register here for orientation
Orientation Dates:

Wednesday, September 16 | Early-arrival move-in for frosh
Thursday, September 17 | Frosh International Student Orientation & Family Orientation
Friday, September 18 | International Transfer and Exchange Orientation
Wednesday, September 23 | Graduate Student Orientation (Zoom)
