Events

Yoga for Mind and Body Wellness
2026-05-12 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Health Center (Student Health Center), 525 McLaughlin Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join us for a trauma-informed yoga practice where you can enjoy slow movements met with guided meditation. The choices you make with your body are honored in this space, beginners are welcome! Hosted by Anna James, CARE Advocate and Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher. Yoga will take place at the Cowell Student Health Center Mural Room.
This event is supported by Student Health Services for Mental Health Awareness Month. You are invited to engage in a variety of campus-wide activities focused on mental health and wellness. Learn about support services, discover ways to help a friend in need, and explore strategies to care for your own well-being. Information is available on the Mental Health Month Event Calendar.
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.

Inspirando the Colega Mindset: Co-creating Change through Equitable Partnerships
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 | https://events.ucsc.edu/event/inspirando-the-colega-mindset-co-creating-change-through-equitable-partnerships/
This is the 2nd session of a 2-part Student-led Equity Talks Series titled “From Voice to Power: Students as Leaders, Knowledge Holders, and Change Agents.”
Student Advisory Equipo, launched in 2025 through the HSI Title V CULTURA grant, is made up of six undergraduate student advocates. Grounded by their lived experience and experiential knowledge, they serve as collaborators who play a critical role in shaping culturally affirming programs, policies, and decisions that impact student life. UCSC’s Equipo draws inspiration from the student-led transformation work at Pasadena City College (PCC) and Dr. Desiree Zuniga, whose testimonios, insights, and guidance shaped the foundation of UCSC’s own initiative. UCSC’s Equipo is part of a growing movimiento committed to empowering student leaders as partners and collaborators in advancing servingness and institutional transformation.
In its first year, Equipo members have engaged across multiple campus initiatives, including Pan Dulce Fridays and the HSI Survey Coding Project. This presentation will invite participants to move beyond siloed efforts toward a more integrated, collaborative campus community that empowers students as essential partners in shaping more equitable institutional practices.
Please register to receive a calendar invitation and Zoom details.

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.

Mental Health Awareness Trivia Night
2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00 | 11th Hour Coffee, 1001 Center St #1, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Got a latte on your mind?
Take a mental health recharge with us at 11th Hour Coffee!
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Student Involvement and Leadership Team is hosting a special Trivia Night to help you unwind and stay grounded.
Join us at 11th Hour Coffee downtown on Tuesday, May 12, from 6–8 p.m. for a night of community and connection.
The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with a social hour, followed by mental health-themed trivia at 7 p.m.
We will have limited drink vouchers available for students on a first-come, first-served basis.
See you there!
For questions or accommodations email involved@ucsc.edu
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

First-Gen Wellbeing Workshop
2026-05-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Porter I-Lounge
Join SHOP in collaboration with Porter College to be in community with other first-gen students and learn how you can thrive at UCSC. Dinner and raffle prizes!
This event is supported by Student Health Services for Mental Health Awareness Month. You are invited to engage in a variety of campus-wide activities focused on mental health and wellness. Learn about support services, discover ways to help a friend in need, and explore strategies to care for your own well-being. Information is available on the Mental Health Month Event Calendar.
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 Publication.

FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories seminar series featuring Melissa Mahoney
2026-05-13 10:30 - 12:00 | Ocean Health Building, McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Please join us for the fourth talk in the FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories seminar series featuring Melissa Mahoney.
Melissa Mahoney brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of sustainable seafood, fisheries policy, and marine innovation along the U.S. West Coast. Her career has focused on translating complex fishery science and regulatory frameworks into practical solutions that strengthen fishing businesses and coastal economies. Since August 2022, Melissa has served as Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, where she leads initiatives to stabilize local fishing operations, expand community seafood access, and revitalize Monterey Bay’s working waterfront. Under her leadership, the organization is deepening its role as a systems-level intermediary supporting fishermen, local food systems, and regional economic development.
FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories Seminar Series
Melissa Mahoney Executive Director Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust
Title: The Future of Blue: Co-Creating a Thriving Seafood Economy in Monterey Bay
When: Wednesday, May 13th from 11am-12pm
Where: Ocean Health Building Rm 118, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 and on Zoom
Agenda:

10:30 am – 11:00 am – Professional Networking Session (in person only – light snacks and refreshments provided)
11 am to 12 pm – presentation followed by Q & A
12 pm – 1pm – catered student lunch with the speaker in OHB courtyard → sign up here

Zoom Meeting Registration: https://ucsc.zoom.us/meeting/register/NwH0_qUbSeuIm3A76DY-Dg

CSE Colloquium - The EU’s Cybersecurity Framework: what it is, what it means
2026-05-13 11:00 - 12:15 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Presenter: Chris Jay Hoofnagle, Frederik Zuiderveen Borgesius, Lothar Determann, Pieter T.J. Wolters
Abstract:
The European Union has enacted a comprehensive cybersecurity framework (the “Framework”) that imposes far-reaching obligations on developers of standalone software and connected products. This Article describes the European legislative approach before turning to a description of the Framework. Anchored by the Cyber Resilience Act and the Cybersecurity Act, and reinforced by a constellation of sector-specific measures, the Framework effectively creates a California-like-products-liability regime for software. It mandates extensive security-by-design obligations, imposes stringent conformity assessment and incident-reporting duties, and shifts substantial compliance burdens onto manufacturers, importers, and distributors. It even treats emotional wrongs caused by software as injurious. The Framework will take full effect in December 2027, meaning that companies must integrate its requirements into their current product cycles.
Bio: Chris Hoofnagle is professor of law in residence at the University of California, Berkeley, where he teaches tort law and cybersecurity.
Hosted by: Professor Alvaro Cardenas
Location: Engineering 2, Room E2-180 (Refreshments such as fruit, pastries, coffee, and tea will be provided.)
Zoom Option: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93445911992?pwd=[REDACTED]

Research Lunch & Learn: Cost Sharing
2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00 | https://events.ucsc.edu/event/research-lunch-learn-costsharing/
Join us on May 13, 2026, 12-1 p.m. for a session led by Deirdre Beach (Executive Director, Sponsored Programs) and Lindsey Demeritt (Executive Director, Research Financial Services), as they discuss the nuance and implications of cost sharing. This session will review the differences between mandatory and voluntary cost share, the requirements for committing cost sharing at proposal, and the mechanisms by which cost sharing is tracked throughout the award.
Join: Zoom link for this session.

Ehrlich, D. (CM) - Designing Open Microscopy Tools for Neuroscience Research
2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:30
Advances in microscopy have transformed our understanding of biological systems,
yet the high cost and limited accessibility of commercial imaging platforms continue to re-
strict their use in many research settings. This thesis presents the design and development of
open hardware microscopy tools for neuroscience research, with a focus on integrating user-
centered design principles into the instrument development process. Two primary methods
are introduced: augmenting existing microscopes with new imaging capabilities, and the cre-
ation of modular microscopes that are designed for continuous, long-term live-cell imaging.
Both platforms are built around open hardware principles, prioritizing low cost, modularity, and
adaptability to the practical needs of working researchers. Alongside the hardware contribu-
tions, this thesis presents user experience research methods for examining how neuroscience
researchers interact with novel microscopy technologies, providing a methodological frame-
work for human-centered scientific instrument design. These contributions demonstrate that
pairing hardware development with user-centered design methodologies produces microscopy
tools that are both technically capable and meaningfully accessible to both laboratories and
individuals studying neuroscience, education, and other fields.

Event Host: Drew Ehrlich, Ph.D. Candidate, Computational Media
Advisor: Sri Kurniawan
Zoom: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/2491739056?pwd=[REDACTED]

Santa Cruz Launchpad Student Startup Competition & Job Fair
2026-05-13 12:00 - 19:00 | the Grove, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
The 10th annual Santa Cruz Launchpad event combines a student startup competition with a community career fair, all under one roof! This year’s event takes place at the The Grove at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The first half of the day spotlights emerging startups in a live startup competition, with cash prizes. The second half shifts into a job fair featuring 25+ local companies and 300+ opportunities, including part-time roles, full-time positions, and internships.
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND. ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

2026 Schedule
12-4pm: Student business plan pitches (open to the public)
4-4:45pm: Employer Table Setup
5-7pm: Job Fair + Networking (open to the public)
Student Startup Competition | 12-4pm
From 1-4pm, students will compete in a startup competition for cash prizes. The pitch competition portion of the event typically includes 12 student teams who each have five minutes each to deliver their pitches to a judge panel. Check out 2025 winners here. This year’s competition is open to both college and high school students in Santa Cruz County. If you are a student at UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College or a high school student in Santa Cruz County or Pajaro Valley Unified School District and would like to compete, click the button below.
Applications are due Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 5pm: https://bit.ly/4d9MaqW
Pitch Prize Categories for 2026

• Biotech/Health (QB3) = $5,000
• Social Impact = $5,000
• Technology = $5,000
• Main Street = $2,000
• Runners Up = $500 each
• People’s Choice Award = $2,000
• High School Award = $2,000

– Top winners eligible to participate in the SC Accelerates program.
– All teams will receive Santa Cruz Works Perks Package by OneValley (Value $1M)

– Every team that qualifies for the final round will receive a cash prize!

Job Fair | 5-7pm
From 5-7pm, job seekers will have the opportunity to interact with 20+ local companies offering 200+ jobs and internships ranging from engineering to marketing, healthcare, project management, sales, customer support, tech, and more.
This event allows students, job seekers, and professionals of all experience levels and backgrounds the opportunity to show off their resumes, find career opportunities, and make new connections. There is no charge for job seekers to attend the job fair. The job fair is open to the public (you do not need to be a student or pitch contest participant to participate). But all attendees must register in advance! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/santa-cruz-launchpad-2026-tickets-1976673979082
Previous employers included Joby Aviation, Capstan Medica, Paystand, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Cruz Foam, Digital NEST, Bay Federal Credit Union, Mynt, Central California Alliance for Health, Unnatural Products, Santa Cruz Seaside Company, California Highway Patrol, BMO, PVUSD, and more.
A list of participating employers will be shared at the beginning of May.

This year’s event is proudly hosted by UCSC Center for Innovation and Development (CIED), UC Santa Cruz Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, UCSC Career Success, and UCSC QB3 Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, , Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), and Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE),

Free Attendee Registration

Employer Registration

Thriving in Transition: A Mental Fitness Toolkit for What's Next
2026-05-13 13:00 - 14:00
Life After Graduation Series
Hosted by UC Davis, open to recent alumni and rising seniors of all UC campuses.
The Cal Aggie Alumni Association is kicking off its Life After Graduation Series with an engaging virtual session, “Thriving in Transition,” on Wednesday, May 13 at 1 p.m. (Pacific Time).
The transition from college to post-graduate life can bring both opportunity and uncertainty. Without the structure of academic life, many graduates face new pressures related to job searching, career decisions, and navigating change.
This session introduces the concept of mental fitness – the capacity to respond to challenges with clarity, resilience, and intention. Through practical, accessible techniques, participants will learn how to manage stress, regulate emotions, and strengthen focus during this period of transition. Attendees will leave with tools they can apply immediately to support their wellbeing and sustain momentum as they move into their next chapter.
Learning Objectives

Define mental fitness and its role in personal and professional success
Recognize common stressors and emotional patterns during post-graduate transitions
Practice techniques to manage stress and increase emotional regulation
Strengthen focus, motivation, and adaptability during periods of uncertainty
Develop habits that support long-term resilience and wellbeing

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Career Success Drop-Ins at the Cantú - Week 7
2026-05-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Cantu Queer Center, Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Drop-in at the Cantú with Career Coach & Engagement Specialist Bridge Kennedy to discuss career exploration, job search strategy, interview prep, grad school prep, or whatever’s on your mind related to your career success!
If you need accommodations please email bridgekk@ucsc.edu

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.

Community Connections Annual Spring Scholarship Presentation
2026-05-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Arboretum, 122 Arboretum Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join Community Connections as we present scholarships to local first-year and re-entry students. This event is an opportunity to meet, congratulate, and celebrate with these outstanding students. Choral group Fiat Musica will sing, and the scholars will share their stories as we dine.
Register to attend in-person
2:00 p.m.
Presented by Community Connections at UC Santa Cruz.
Questions? Contact Sally Lester at sal@ucsc.edu

Building Belonging Program Student Showcase 2026
2026-05-13 15:00 - 17:30 | Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Join us for the Institute for Social Transformation’s annual student showcase, celebrating the incredible work of our Building Belonging Fellows! This special event highlights the achievements of undergraduate research fellows. Each student will give a 2-minute lightning talk about a research project they worked on with a Social Sciences faculty mentor.
The event will be held in person on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. in the Seymour Center La Feliz Room, followed by an outdoor reception with light refreshments on the Oceanview Terrace from 5:00–5:30 p.m.
All are welcome—students, faculty, staff, family, and friends—we look forward to celebrating together!
RSVP HERE
Sponsored by:
The Institute for Social Transformation and the Division of Social Sciences
For questions, you can reach us at transform@ucsc.edu

Sweet Send-Off Celebration
2026-05-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Rachel Carson College Red Room
Greetings, International and Global Learning students!
Join us for a special celebration in recognition of our international students studying here at UCSC, Global Learning alumni that have studied abroad/away, and to those that are about to start their programs this summer and fall.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 17:00 – 19:00 (5 pm – 7 pm)

We’ll be saying ‘bon voyage’ to our international exchange students that have been studying at UCSC and our new global learning students. Our global learning alumni will also be joining to join in our community space for reflection, connection, and storytelling!

Our event will consist of:

A panel for departing global learning students highlighting what it’s like to be on exchange and study abroad/away (led by our alumni and international students)
Opportunities to connect with each other based on region of the world or study/your home institution

Please RSVP here by our deadline of Friday, May 1 and let us know how you’d like to be involved.
If you have any questions, email us at globallearning@ucsc.edu.

Chat with the Chair: Conversations on AI
2026-05-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Curious about the newest developments in artificial intelligence?
Join us for Chat with the AI Chair, a monthly drop-in conversation designed for professionals who want to stay ahead of emerging AI trends.
Event details
Praveen Krishna, chair of the Artificial Intelligence Application Development certificate program, will lead the informal discussion about what this technology means for developers, professionals, and organizations adopting AI tools.
Format: Online discussion + open Q&A
When: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month
Who should attend: Developers, technologists, product managers, and professionals exploring AI tools and automation
This is a casual, interactive session—bring your questions, share your experience, and hear directly from an AI educator working at the forefront of applied AI training. You’ll get an insider’s look at the technologies shaping the next generation of AI—and what you need to know to stay ahead.
Register
CLAIM YOUR SEAT.

What is Mythos? Conversations on AI
2026-05-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
What do we know about Mythos?
Anthropic’s Claude Mythos, a next-generation, general-purpose AI model with 10 trillion parameters, is the most powerful AI developed to date. It is highly capable of advanced reasoning, coding, and autonomously identifying and exploiting complex software vulnerabilities, creating significant cybersecurity risks.
Join us for Chat with Praveen Krishna, chair of our AI program, a monthly drop-in conversation about the latest developments in artificial intelligence and what this technology means for developers, professionals, and organizations adopting AI tools.
What you need to know to stay ahead
This is a casual, interactive session. Bring your questions, share your experience, and hear directly from an AI educator working at the forefront of applied AI training. You’ll get an insider’s look at the technologies shaping the next generation of AI.
Event details

Speaker: Praveen Krishna, AI chair, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension
Format: Online discussion + open Q&A about the latest news in AI
When: 2nd Wednesday of the month
Who should attend: Developers, technologists, product managers, and professionals exploring AI tools and automation

Claim your seat today.
Share your perspective. Plan your learning.
Visit our Artificial Intelligence program page to learn more about our AI offerings.

Shadmon, R. (CS) - Proximal Byzantine Agreement
2026-05-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Research on fault-tolerance protocols for approximate Byzantine agreement
(ABA) has largely focused on ensuring that distributed processes remain
consistent despite fewer than 1/3 faulty processes. Yet in many
real systems, consistency is only useful when it enables processes to
make accurate decisions from replicated, noisy, and potentially
adversarially corrupted data relative to an ideal fault-free baseline.
This limitation is increasingly important in edge applications such as
autonomous vehicles, drone networks, smart cities, manufacturing, and
sensor-based systems, where agreement directly drives downstream
actions. At the same time, many existing ABA protocols impose
impractical requirements, such as replica counts that grow with data
dimensionality or prior knowledge of the maximum distance between values
proposed by each process.
We introduce Stochastic Byzantine Agreement (SBA), a new problem
formulation in which the goal is to estimate an output from n replicated
values consisting of n-f nonfaulty outputs generated by an
underlying stochastic process and f arbitrarily chosen
Byzantine outputs. We then present Proximal Byzantine Agreement
(PBA), a stochastic agreement protocol that solves SBA by enabling
consumers to infer the most likely ideal output conditioned on the
outputs they receive. In addition, PBA provides a region
guarantee that, as we prove, always contains the corresponding
fault-free stochastic estimate of the true value.
We describe the design of PBA, formalize its guarantees, and evaluate
its accuracy against existing techniques using stochastic simulations
across symmetric and asymmetric distributions and multiple system
configurations. We also evaluate runtime overhead and performance in a
follow-the-leader drone network simulator and in a Java implementation on
Raspberry Pis using a real-world adaptive cruise control dataset. Our
results show that PBA performs competitively across all evaluated
settings and especially well under simulated Byzantine attack. Most
notably, PBA maintains stable accuracy as dimensionality increases,
outperforming methods that require up to 10x more replicas}
and incur up to 10x greater computation time per agreement
decision.
Event Host: Roy Shadmon, Ph.D. Candidate, Computer Science
Advisor: Owen Arden
Zoom: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/98390167664?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode: pba

Narcan Training for Faculty and Staff
2026-05-14 11:00 - 11:30
Register for the Zoom link.
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

Register for the Zoom link. To learn more, please visit the Narcan wellness initiative webpage. For trainings, 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.

SlugCents "Words That Impress: Creating a Great Résumé & Cover Letter"
2026-05-14 16:30 - 17:30 | Hahn 203-SlugCents, Hahn Student Services, Room 203 400 Hahn Road, Santa Cruz, 95064, United States
Crafting a fantastic Resume and Cover Letter are the key to getting an interview and landing a job! Join us at the SlugCents office (Hahn 203) for this informative workshop that will cover best practices for resume and cover letter development. You’ll gain understanding about the perfect format, navigating AI filters, and how to write captivating resume bullet points and engaging cover letter paragraphs. The presentation will be 40 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of optional worktime here in our office with coaches to give you brief input.
We will provide captions for the presentation. If you have disability-related needs, please contact the Career Success office at csuccess@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4420 as soon as possible.
YOU BELONG HERE
Programs and services 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.

QB3/QBI Pre-Hackathon Mixer
2026-05-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Rachel Carson College, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join us for an exciting pre-hackathon mixer at University of California, Santa Cruz! Get ready to mingle, form teams, and start brainstorming ideas for your projects before the QBI Hackathon kicks off at UCSF in June 2026.
Agenda
5:00 PM – Doors Open
5:30 PM – Pitch Session
6:00 PM – Networking & Mingling
We can’t wait to see the ideas and projects that will be presented at the mixer. Whether you’re presenting or simply attending to learn more and meet potential teammates, this event is an excellent opportunity to start building connections within our vibrant community of participants.
Don’t miss out on this chance to get inspired and kickstart your hackathon experience. To attend, please RSVP – https://qbi.ucsf.edu/events/hackathon-mixer-ucsc-2026
The QBI hackathon is a 48-hour event connecting the developer community in the Bay Area with the scientists from the three QB3 campuses (UCSF, UCB and UCSC), during which we work together on cutting edge biomedical problems. One of the highlights of our pre-hackathon mixer is the opportunity for participants to showcase their ideas, projects, or concepts to the group.

Learn more about high school health pathways
2026-05-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
At this interactive info session about our new program for college-bound high schoolers, program staff will talk about the UC Santa Cruz High School Health Pathways Summer Academy, a six-week session of transformative learning, in-person, at the Silicon Valley Campus of UC Santa Cruz.
Get hands-on learning in diverse topics such as:

Human biology
Microscopy
Public health advocacy
Expert mentorship
Field experiences
Capstone project

Attend to learn more about the program and how to apply. Applications are due May 16th.
Who should attend?
High school students, parents, and advisors are invited to join the discussion and bring questions.
Sponsor
This session is sponsored by the UC Santa Cruz Premed Postbacc Program.

CLAIM YOUR SEAT.

2026 Robert L. Sinsheimer Distinguished Lecture in Biology: Global Vaccines and Immunizations in a Time of Climate Change, Mega Cities, and Anti-science
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Colleges Nine and John R. Lewis College Multi-purpose Room, 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join us for an evening with Dr. Peter Hotez, a world-renowned vaccine scientist, pediatrician, and Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. A graduate of Yale, Cornell, and Rockefeller University, Dr. Hotez has dedicated his career to global health, co-developing low-cost COVID-19 vaccines administered to over 100 million people in India and Indonesia.
Beyond the lab, Dr. Hotez is one of the nation’s most prominent “science explainers,” tirelessly combating the rise of anti-science sentiment. In this lecture, he will discuss the themes of his current book, Science Under Siege (co-authored with climate scientist Michael Mann), offering a front-line perspective on defending scientific integrity and public health in an era of unprecedented challenge.

Flow and Friction Symposium: Media Practices Across Global Asias
2026-05-15 09:00 - 18:00 | Cowell Conference Room, 257 Cowell-Stevenson Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
“Media Practices Across Global Asias,” a graduate-student research cluster working across the History of Art and Visual Culture and Film and Digital Media departments, hosts their first symposium titled “Flow and Friction.” The day-long symposium is comprised of four panels with presenters from UC Santa Cruz and universities further afield in the U.S. and abroad. Three of the panels are focused on papers, while the fourth is focused on practice as research, with a screening of three short video works followed by Q&A. Professor Lisa Nakamura will visit from the University of Michigan, where she is the Gwendolyn Calvert Baker Collegiate Professor in the Department of American Cultures, as keynote speaker for the event. Each of the symposium presentations takes up the notion of flow and friction in response to the research cluster’s open call inviting inquiries in media studies and audiovisual culture in the context of Global Asias. Global Asias offer an expansive model to consider the imaginary or symbolic Asia as a series of diasporic interpolations constituted by Asian, non-Asian, and indigenous peoples and cultures. It demonstrates that worlds are not singular, much like media and its practices, and are contingent upon the labor and bodies that engage and disengage with them.
—
ADMISSION
– Attend in person at the Cowell Conference Room at UC Santa Cruz.
– FREE and open to Arts Division staff & faculty, Arts Division students, and their invited guests.
– Registration recommended here.
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PARKING
– Closest lots to the event are Lots 107, 108, 109 and 110.
– All lots require an A permit which can be purchased via UCSC TAPS.
– ParkMobile can be found at Lot 107 and 109.
– Additional parking can be found in Lot 111 or Lot 111B or East Remote Lot 104.
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
—
This program is open to all UC Santa Cruz affiliates consistent with state and federal law.

Run Like a Slug 5k
2026-05-15 12:00 | Upper East Field
The UC Santa Cruz Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce the second annual Run Like a Slug 5k. Banana Slugs can register here for the race.
Get ready to embrace your inner Banana Slug at the Run Like A Slug 5k Fun Run! Join fellow students, staff, and faculty members for a scenic and spirited run (or walk!) through the beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to get active, this event is perfect for all paces—sluggish or speedy.
Expect a laid-back, supportive atmosphere, some slug-themed surprises, and a great way to enjoy the outdoors before finals. Costumes and UCSC pride are encouraged.
Perks include fun giveaways, music, and post-race refreshments.
Lace up, take it slow (or fast), and Run Like A Slug!
Register here »
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.

Risk Services & Occupational Health's Campus Wellness Fair
2026-05-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Upper East Field
Friday, May 15, 12:00 PM -2:00 PM

Where: Upper East Field
The Risk Services & Occupational Health’s Campus Wellness Fair is a fun-filled event open to all students, staff, and faculty. It will showcase the many UCSC departments, programs, and resources on campus that help contribute to a culture of well-being on our campus. You can go visit to their tables, learn what they have to offer, grab some giveaway items, and maybe even win some prizes!
Fill out the tabling request form by Monday, April 20, to showcase how your department contributes to a culture of well-being!

To learn more, visit the Campus Wellness Fair website.
For questions, please reach out to Ashley Parker, Health and Well-being Specialist, at aseparke@ucsc.edu.

STEM Culture Festival
2026-05-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
The STEM Culture Festival is returning to UC Santa Cruz on Friday, May 15 from 1-4pm in the Baskin Engineering Courtyard. Join us!
This year, we’re expanding with even more performances, activities, and creative ways to celebrate UCSC’s vibrant, diverse, and excellent STEM culture!
What to expect:

Cuban Dance Master Susana Arenas and her troupe of Orisha dancers led by Cuban Drum Master Toribio Garcia return for a rousing, communal dance

Student performers: Los Mejicas and their traditional baile folklórico followed by an open dance lesson/performance by Slug N’ Boots

STEM-themed drag performances and spoken word poetry by student creatives

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Equity Dr. Ebonee Williams (Chemical Engineering, University of Washington ‘04) will share an inspirational talk on “Bringing our whole selves to STEM!”

El Buen Taco and Falafel Santa Cruz will be serving delicious food, completely FREE for all attendees who engage with the student orgs and their activities

More than just your standard student organization tabling: Games, interactive demos, culturally themed activities, and opportunities to learn more about clubs from all over campus

Raffle for gift cards to be awarded every hour from 1-4pm – must be present to win!

This event will take place in the Baskin Engineering Courtyard and will be open to all UCSC students, staff, and faculty.
The STEM Culture Festival celebrates and elevates the many backgrounds, cultures, and identities that intersect with our work as scientists, engineers, educators, and members of the UCSC community. It is a rare opportunity when all of UCSC is invited to meet at the engineering school for a time of joy and togetherness. We enthusiastically invite you to attend and be in community with us – especially now in these tumultuous times of division and disunity.
This event represents a collaboration between Baskin Engineering, the Women’s Center, the Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center, El Centro Latinx and Chicanx Resource Center, the Asian American and Pacific Islander Resource Center, the Physical and Biological Sciences Division, and the Genomics Institute.

UCSC Graduate Research Symposium
2026-05-15 13:00 - 16:00 | McHenry Library, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Friday, May 15, 1:00-4:00 PM (PDT)
McHenry Library | Information Commons South on the Main Floor
We are delighted to invite you to the 22nd Annual Graduate Research Symposium!
This event celebrates and highlights the work of UCSC graduate students in all academic divisions. Any enrolled graduate student is welcome to present either a poster, talk, or mixed media presentation. The event is free and open to the public. Please see the Graduate Division website for more information.

2026 Graduate Research Symposium
2026-05-15 13:00 - 16:00 | McHenry Library, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
UCSC 22nd Annual Graduate Research Symposium
Friday, May 15, 1:00-4:00 PM (PDT)
McHenry Library | Information Commons South on the Main Floor
This event celebrates and highlights the work of UCSC graduate students in all academic divisions. Any enrolled graduate student is welcome to present either a poster, talk, or mixed media presentation. The event is free and open to the public.

Rasanblé/Rasanblaj: Call & Response
2026-05-15 17:30 - 19:00 | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
Join us for an evening of call and response between Portsha Jefferson, dancer and artistic director of Rara Tou Limen, and artist-scholar Gina Athena Ulysse. Jefferson will offer a Haitian dance response to Ulysse’s art exhibition Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements and screen her short film IMAMOU: Hotô to Shore… Agbe | Agwe. Ulysse will read from her memoir, Loving Haiti, Loving Vodou. A dialogue between Jefferson and Ulysse will follow.
