Events

Carceral Media Ecologies—and How to Break Them
2026-05-13 09:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
Organized by Pooja Rangan, Visiting Scholar, Visualizing Abolition, UCSCm Carceral Media Ecologies—and How to Break Them is the culminating in-person event in a series of conversations examining how contemporary documentary forms participate in both the making and unmaking of carceral power. This symposium brings together organizers, filmmakers, scholars and artists—both with and without experiences of mass incarceration—for a daylong conversation on disrupting the carceral state and its media ecologies across multiple scales of intervention: from feminist organizing and prisoner-initiated programs to incarcerated media production, participatory defense, counterforensic art, and legal advocacy.
RSVP
Symposium Program
9:30 am onward – Coffee + Pastries
10:00–10:15 – Welcome (Rachel Nelson + Pooja Rangan)
10:15–11:15 – Keynote: Gina Dent
Reflections on the work of feminist organizing in shaping an abolitionist media imaginary
11:15–11:30 – Break
11:30–1:00 – Panel: Fugitive Media (Keisha Knight, Thanh Tran, TBD), moderated by Rachel Nelson
A panel on media produced behind bars and the activism involved in building oppositional circuits of visibility and solidarity
1:00–2:00 – Lunch
2:00–3:30 – Panel: Counterforensic Advocacy (Ashraf Hamdan, Silicon Valley Debug, Sharon Daniel), moderated by Pooja Rangan
A panel on decarceral legal and policy interventions, including participatory defense, exoneree media, and counterforensic art
3:30–3:45 – Break
3:45–4:45 – Conversation: Adamu Chan + Gilda Sheppard, moderated by Gina Dent
A conversation on the challenges of pursuing anti-carceral aesthetics and the political stakes of speaking outside the carceral frame
4:45–5:15 – Reception

Yoga as Healing Series
2026-05-12 18:00 - 19:30
Yoga as Healing is a 7-session trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness program hosted by UCSC’s CARE office. Spring Quarter classes will be held Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30 p.m. from March 31–May 12. Classes are free for students.
Each class facilitated by CARE Advocate Abbey Wise (she/ella), includes gentle, trauma-informed movement, breathwork, meditation and reflective journaling to support survivors in reconnecting with their bodies, building confidence and being present. Mats, blocks, blankets and journals are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle.
CARE aims to build a consistent group of 8-10 survivors who can attend all 7 classes to foster the community, predictability and safety core to the trauma-informed structure of the program.
If you are interested in participating submit an application and a CARE Advocate will get back to you with further information. Location will be provided upon approval to participate.
Check out our schedule for the series:
3/31 — Orientation and Intention
4/7 — Safety & Grounding
4/14 —Self-Care as Daily Practice
4/21 — Embodied Boundaries
4/28 — Self-Compassion
5/5 — Inner Strength & Trust
5/12 — Cultivating Community
If you have previously attended Yoga as Healing, we would love to hear from you. Please complete our short, anonymous survey —your feedback helps us grow and improve our programming.
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.

Reyna Grande – Migrant Heart
2026-05-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Bookshop Santa Cruz
Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes award-winning author Reyna Grande (The Distance Between Us) back to the store to celebrate the release of her newest book Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can’t Forget—an ambitious memoir in essays that illuminates the hidden cost of the American Dream and the complex journey of healing that follows survival. Grande will be in conversation with Sylvanna Falcón, Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies at UC Santa Cruz.
Migrant Heart is a powerful testament to Grande’s role as a storyteller and cultural witness. It is an essential, moving read that continues to expand what we understand about the United States and the complex people who cross and live within its borders. It is a book for anyone seeking to understand the true price of belonging and the enduring power of finding one’s voice.

Reyna Grande is an award-winning author, motivational speaker, and writing teacher. As a young girl, she crossed the US-Mexico border to join her family in Los Angeles, a harrowing journey chronicled in The Distance Between Us, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. Her other books include the novels A Ballad of Love and Glory, Across a Hundred Mountains, and Dancing with Butterflies, the memoirs Migrant Heart, The Distance Between Us: Young Readers Edition, and A Dream Called Home, and the anthology Somewhere We Are Human: Authentic Voices on Migration, Survival, and New Beginnings. She lives in Woodland, California, with her husband and two children. Visit ReynaGrande.com for more information.
Sylvanna Falcón is a Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies at UC Santa Cruz. She is the winner of the 2016 Gloria Anzaldúa Book Prize from the National Women’s Studies Association and of a teaching award from the Division of Social Sciences at UC Santa Cruz.
More information at: Bookshop Santa Cruz – Reyna Grande

This event is cosponsored by Latin American and Latino Studies and The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz.

AM Seminar: Column Subset Selection: Theory, Structure, and Algorithms
2026-05-11 16:00 - 17:00 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Presenter: Anil Damle, Associate Professor, Cornell University
Description: The column subset selection problem is a classical topic in numerical linear algebra, with renewed interest driven by applications in computational quantum chemistry, integral equations, model reduction, and model compression in machine learning. This talk surveys recent advances that clarify how structural properties of a matrix influence the performance of column selection algorithms. We focus on structure-aware and randomized methods, highlighting both theoretical guarantees and practical algorithmic consequences.
About the speaker: Anil Damle is an associate professor of computer science at Cornell University. His research focuses on the development and analysis of robust and efficient algorithms in applied and computational mathematics that exploit structure coming from underlying physical or statisical models. He interfaces with a broad range of application areas, and his work is inherently interdisciplinary—with the ultimate goal of developing algorithms that are usable for practitioners. He received his PhD from Stanford University in computational and mathematical engineering (ICME), and his MS in applied mathematics and BS in applied mathematics and computer engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
This seminar is hosted by Applied Mathematics.

Johns, M. (CMPM) - Playing Together in a Co-Designed Future: Building Resilience Through Community-Centered Gameful Design
2026-05-11 08:00 - 10:00 | Engineering 2, Engineering 2 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Complex societal problems (e.g. wicked problems) such as those brought on by climate change can be addressed through a combination of Research through Design (RtD), co-design, and Serious Games (SG) by inviting affected communities to take part in developing iterative, experimental solutions and exploring their potential impact. In the course of my research, I have proposed a framework for design research that engages with wicked problems at the community level through gameful design, which is based on existing literature in HCI drawing from RtD, co-design, and SG. Core elements of the framework include supporting diverse perspectives, interdisciplinarity, working with local knowledge, and aligning different concepts with specific gameful elements to support meaningful interactions and discussion.
In a specific case study, my proposed framework is applied to create a gameful intervention to support wildfire resilience in communities at the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) which face particular risks from natural hazards. Through a community co-design process, open discussions have identified consistent pain-points and challenges faced by communities who have experienced wildfires or evacuations, e.g. traffic congestion in areas with one road in and out, while also pinpointing differences in their approaches based on local conditions, such as whether or not to encourage people to evacuate on foot. Through an RtD approach, important ideas have emerged about how serious games can be utilized in this space. For example, a common approach to serious game design is to align the win condition of a game with specific learning outcomes or desired changes. However, when working with wicked problems there are often complex social dilemmas and conflicting values without clear right answers. In these cases there is a need to map dilemmas and trade-offs to game mechanics rather than mapping learning outcomes to win conditions.
The gameful intervention developed through this dissertation integrates local knowledge from communities alongside expert knowledge from disciplines including fire science, social science, engineering, and design. The resulting artifact leverages a minigame design to map different concepts to specific and approachable game mechanics. Through universal and inclusive design practices, the games can be accessible to a broad audience including both children and older adults. The cooperative multiplayer aspects of the games encourage discussion and collaborative play between friends, community members, and particularly intergenerational play within families. In addition to contributing RtD reflections as a result of the project, I also measured change in resilience at the individual and community levels after deployment of the games through qualitative and quantitative methods. This dissertation contributes to knowledge about what game design has to offer to addressing wicked problems, with specific approaches to better serve communities facing complex risks such as those associated with a rapidly changing climate.
Event Host: MJ Johns, Ph.D. Candidate, Computational Media
Advisor: Katherine Isbister
Zoom: https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/7959349044?pwd=[REDACTED]

Visualizing Abolition Screening Series: Beyond Access
2026-05-10 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-09 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-07 12:00 - 17:00 | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
On view in the IAS Screening Room is a selection of short films curated by Visualizing Abolition Visiting Faculty Fellow Dr. Pooja Rangan.
Prisons deny and censor the access of those trapped inside them—to information, to intimacy, to community, to meaningful work, to nourishment of all kinds, and perhaps most cruelly, to care. This program assembles a series of films, including works by filmmakers incarcerated in California as well as others without that lived experience. Together, these works confront the debilitating impacts of these restrictions and reveal how the disabling logic of the prison is extended to other institutional spaces (the hospital, the university), turning access into a scarce commodity by enclosing what should be held in common. Questioning the carceral and state-sponsored productions of disability and accessibility, the short films together reveal the courage of people working despite limitations to produce collective access for one another, described simply and beautifully by disability justice activist Leah-Lakshmi Piepzna Samarasinha as “revolutionary love without charity.”
Thanh Tran
Dying in Prison, 2022
HD Video (color, sound), 3 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Carolyn Lazard
Pre-Existing Condition, 2019
HD video (color, sound), 6 minutes
Courtesy of the artist and Trautwein Herleth3
Anthony Alejandrez
Another Rainy Day, 2023
Phone video (color, sound), 3 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Jordan Lord
After…After… (Access), 2018
HD Video (color, sound), 16 minutes
Courtesy of the artist
Rahsaan “New York” Thomas
Friendly Signs, 2023
Video (color, sound) 21 minutes
Courtesy of Tommy Wickerd, Empowerment Ave & System Impact Media

Spring Exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences
2026-05-10 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-09 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-08 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-07 12:00 - 17:00 | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
Visit the IAS, UCSC’s premier art galleries, for our spring exhibitions. On view April 10–August 16, 2026 are three diverse and interdisciplinary shows: Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right, the first US solo exhibition by the Colombia-based artist and medical doctor; Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj, a site-specific and immersive exploration of the Haitian kreyol conception of rasanblaj; and Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies, a mixed-media exhibition emerging at the intersections of Black poetics, performance, and visual art.
The IAS Galleries are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm. Admission is free to the public.
Libia Posada: Everything is Going Right
Libia Posada’s first solo exhibition in the United States features installations, sculptures, and drawings meticulously constructed from surgical instruments, gauze bandages, crutches, used books, and domestic picture frames. The new and existing works in the exhibition powerfully stitch together the personal, social, and political disorders and afflictions that currently trouble the world, from the wars that resonate across the globe to the violences of aging in US prisons.
Gina Athena Ulysse: A Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements
The internationally-lauded work of humanities professor Gina Athena Ulysse is on view as a premier Faculty Spotlight Exhibition. The site-specific installation, produced in community from things collected, found, purchased and donated, centers on the Haitian concept of rasanblaj, a form of assembly and collage that transcends the formal use of materials to draw together people, spirits, and ideas.
Ronaldo V. Wilson: There Are No Words, But Melodies
Collage is both a material practice and a structural interrogation in the Faculty Spotlight Exhibition artworks by literature professor Ronaldo V. Wilson. In video, painting, and installation, layers and folds conceal and reveal, delving into the experience, both bodily and emotive, of living in times of violence.

ABC Ensemble and This Never Happened—April in Santa Cruz
2026-05-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Pianists/experimentalists Amy Beal and Ben Carson, and friends in the This Never Happened Ensemble, present a concert of toys, noise, open-questions, and a love of play, including one piece involving no fewer than five concert grand pianos. Featuring the music of Shanna Sordahl, Marc Perez, Mexican composer Rodrigo Barriga Lopez, and legendary experimentalists Johanna Beyer and David Mahler.
This event is presented as part of the April in Santa Cruz Festival of Creative Music.
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ADMISSION
– Free and open to the public
– Attend in-person at the Music Center Recital Hall at UC Santa Cruz
– Open admission (no ticket or registration required)
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PARKING
– Parking by permit, ParkMobile, or $11 cash/credit via the on-site parking attendant
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event
– 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.
– UCSC affiliates must purchase their permits before arriving at the event in order to receive their discounted UCSC rate. Attendants will only sell the non-affiliate-priced permits.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
– This year’s festival includes seven events between April 15 and May 21, 2026
– Additional April in Santa Cruz events and information at aprilsc.ucsc.edu
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ABC ENSEMBLE
THIS NEVER HAPPENED

image: photo of R. Barriga, bass
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

Where Cultures Bloom — We Belong here
2026-05-09 12:30 - 15:00 | Oakes Learning Center
Where Cultures Bloom is a large-scale cultural celebration centered on community, expression, and belonging, grounded in the idea that UCSC is shaped by the diverse identities and voices of those who call it home. This event serves as an open platform for students to showcase their creativity and lived experiences through mediums such as spoken word, music, dance, drag, and visual art.
Bloom is intentionally designed as a collective cultural exchange, inviting students from across campus to come together, share their stories, and celebrate. Through performance, art, food, and connection, the event creates space to affirm that we belong here, together.
FREE food, flowers, and Oakes/RCC merch.
Location: Oakes Upper Lawn
Call for Performers:
We are inviting students who are interested in sharing their talents and lived experiences through performance. This includes (but is not limited to):

Music (solo or group)
Dance
Spoken word/poetry
Drag performance
Cultural performance
Any creative or expressive art form

We welcome performers of all backgrounds and experience levels who are excited to contribute to a community-centered event focused on belonging and expression.
Interest Form:
Students can sign up 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.

Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours
2026-05-09 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-05-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or sign-up online. Virtual tours are available online.

Berry U-Pick at the UCSC Farm
2026-05-09 09:00 - 12:00 | UCSC Farm, 152 Farm Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Come enjoy picking your own organic strawberries and/or blueberries at the campus farm! Our delicious, organic berries will be plentiful this spring and we hope you can come enjoy the bounty.
When: U-picks will take place on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm while supplies last. Blueberries will be available approximately through June, and strawberries will be available into the summer season. PLEASE NOTE that u-picks will not occur on Saturday, June 13 due to campus commencement ceremonies that will impact traffic and parking.
Where: Free parking will be available in the Hay Barn lot or lot 115/116 during u-pick hours. Please walk to the pinned location at the farm to pre-pay and collect your u-pick container(s). We will have directional signage displayed. There is one ADA parking spot on the farm. The UCSC Farm has uneven, hilly terrain. If you require accommodations to fully participate, please email agroecology@ucsc.edu and we will do our best to accommodate.
Payment: Credit card payments only (you will need a smartphone to scan a QR code and enter your card info manually).

UCSC Wind Ensemble
2026-05-08 19:30 - 21:30 | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join the UC Santa Cruz Wind Ensemble for a spring concert.
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ADMISSION
– General admission.
– Free for UCSC students (ticket required).
– Tickets available through Eventbrite only.
– Follow the Music Dept on Eventbrite for notices and updates.
– Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes prior to event start time.
– Ticket holders not seated at least 5 minutes before the advertised start time may forfeit their ticket/seat and no refund will be issued.
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PARKING
– Parking by permit, ParkMobile, or $11 cash/credit via the on-site parking attendant
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event
– 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)
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

AA/PI/SWANA Heritage Night Market
2026-05-08 17:00 - 21:00 | Upper Quarry Amphitheater, 15 McLaughlin Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Save the date and join the Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center (AA/PIRC) on Friday, May 8th from 5-9pm at the Quarry Amphitheater as we celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Southwest Asian & North African Heritage with a Night Market!
More details about our second annual AA/PI/SWANA Heritage Night Market are coming soon. This FREE event is open to all UCSC community affiliates and will feature food, vendors, games, activities, and performances — all showcasing the diverse talents and cultures among our communities.
RSVP at bit.ly/aapiswana-nm26 to get email reminders for the event, and please complete our interest form at bit.ly/aapirc-nm26 if you are interested in joining our planning committee, being a day-of volunteer, tabling, performing, and/or vending.
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.

Music on the Meadow—April in Santa Cruz
2026-05-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Music On The Meadow (MOTM) presents “Episode 0: Music with the Meadow.” MOTM showcases engagement from students, artists, scientists, scholars, and culture bearers, who engage in “listening with the meadow” through genre-defying works. MOTM is a site for low-key (but not low-quality or low-impact) celebration, gathering, mourning, remembering, rethinking, unlearning.
This event is presented as part of the April in Santa Cruz Festival of Creative Music.
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ADMISSION
– Free and open to the public
– Attend in-person at Kretschmer Plaza, the outdoor courtyard adjacent to the Music Center Recital Hall at UC Santa Cruz
– Open admission (no ticket or registration required)
—
PARKING
– Parking by permit or ParkMobile
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event
– 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.
– UCSC affiliates must purchase their permits before arriving at the event in order to receive their discounted UCSC rate. Attendants will only sell the non-affiliate-priced permits.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
—
FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
– This year’s festival includes seven events between April 15 and May 21, 2026
– Additional April in Santa Cruz events and information at aprilsc.ucsc.edu
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MUSIC ON THE MEADOW
AN ECOSYSTEM BEYOND A FESTIVAL
image: Great Meadow—UCSC (view, landscape, scenic, field, meadow, sky, clouds, ocean, bay, trees, blue, green)
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

The Annual Maya K. Peterson Memorial Lecture
2026-05-08 14:30 - 16:00 | University Center, University Center, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
“Colonizing Water: Empire, Commodification, and Appropriation in Africa”
Matthew Bender, Professor of History, The College of New Jersey
Friday, May 8, 2:30-4:00pm; Alumni Room @ UCSC’s University Center
In early 2018, the city of Cape Town nearly ran out of water. South Africa’s “Mother City,” renowned for its cosmopolitan population and natural beauty, faced the prospect of a “Day Zero,” when it would be forced to close its taps and force millions to queue for water rations. Across much of the continent, though, water scarcity is an everyday reality, with nearly 1 in 3 people lacking access to sufficient drinking water. How did this become the case? This talk explores the history of water on the African continent, using a historical lens to understand the present-day water crisis. It shows how these resources came to be “colonized” through the mechanisms of imperialism in Africa. European colonial actors in the 19th and 20th centuries attempted to transform the ownership, management, and meaning of water with the aim of harnessing its powers to advance their objectives. In doing so, they created deep seeded inequities and underdevelopment that has persisted in the decades since African colonies gained their independence. This historical analysis shows that many of the present-day obstacles to providing clean, safe water stem from legacies of colonial rule. Yet it also shows the many ways in which everyday Africans proved resilient, finding ways to thrive despite the odds.
Matthew Bender is Professor of History at The College of New Jersey. His research focuses on modern African social and cultural history, with interest in the environment, natural resources, and agriculture. A leading scholar in water history, he has authored numerous articles, essays, and chapters as well as a book entitled Water Brings No Harm: Management Knowledge and the Struggle for the Waters of Kilimanjaro (Ohio University Press, 2019).
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Maya K. Peterson Memorial Endowment.

Goal Setting
2026-05-08 13:00 - 13:45 | Academic Resources Center (ARC), 408 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
In this workshop, you will: Set SMART goals to help you get organized & on track for success.
The Successful Slug Workshop series, hosted by Learning Support Services Peer Coaches, are open to all UCSC undergraduate students and focus on academic skills and tools to support your success as a student. At each workshop, you will be introduced to a topic, engage in active learning, be given resources to begin implementing the same day, and have an opportunity to learn more if you are interested.
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.

Rasanblaj as Spirit Turn: Gina Athena Ulysse in Conversation with Jennifer González
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Institute of the Arts and Sciences, 100 Panetta Ave, Santa Cruz, United States
Please join us for a conversation between Gina Athena Ulysse and Jennifer González, discussing Ulysse’s solo exhibition Redwoods Rasanblaj: Origins & Disentanglements.
The internationally-lauded work of humanities professor Gina Athena Ulysse is on view at the IAS as an inaugural Faculty Spotlight Exhibition. The site-specific installation, produced in community from things collected, found, purchased and donated, centers on the concept developed by the artist of “rasanblaj”, a form of assembly and collage that transcends the formal use of materials to draw together people, spirits, and ideas.
The artist will be joined in conversation by noted art theorist and scholar Jennifer González, professor of history of art and visual culture.

Social Movements Across Generations: A Film Screening and Platica with Carmen Perez Jordan
2026-05-07 17:00 - 19:30 | Cultural Center – Merrill College, 641 Merrill Rd, Santa Cruz, 95064, United States
When: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Where: Cultural Center at Merrill, UC Santa Cruz, 641 Merrill Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Time: 5:00-7:30pm, doors open at 4:30pm

Join us for an evening of reflection, storytelling, and dialogue rooted in the legacy and future of social movements. The program will feature a screening of Following Harry, a powerful documentary that offers an intimate look into the life, mentorship, and enduring influence of Harry Belafonte. Through personal stories and behind-the-scenes moments, the film captures how Belafonte shaped generations of organizers, artists, and leaders committed to justice, highlighting the deep connections between culture, movement building, and moral courage.
The film also features Carmen Perez-Jordan, a former UC Santa Cruz student, whose journey reflects the impact of Belafonte’s mentorship and the power of intergenerational leadership. Her story offers a personal lens into how movements are sustained, carried forward, and reimagined by new generations.
Following the screening, we will hold a plática with Carmen Perez-Jordan and Daniel “Nane” Alejandrez, two leaders whose work reflects the very legacy explored in the film. Together, they will engage in a conversation on movement-building across generations, the importance of mentorship, and what it means to lead with purpose in today’s social justice landscape.
This evening is an invitation to connect the past with the present, honor the shoulders we stand on, and imagine the future we are called to build together.

For questions or accommodations, please email elcentro@ucsc.edu.

Parking and Check-in: Parking is available via ParkMobile at Parking Lot 119. ADA parking is available at Parking Lot 119 with an ADA placard. Free parking is available at the East Remote lot starting at 5:00 PM. Please let us know if you need any accommodations and/or ADA parking in the form below.

Sponsored by: Chancellor’s Office, Dolores Huerta Research Center for the Americas, Latin American and Latino Studies, Stevenson College, College 9, John R Lewis College, Alumni Engagement, Lionel Cantu Queer Center, and Office of Leadership and Involvement.

Support El Centro: El Centro’s programs are made possible through a combination of student fees, supplemental grants, and the generous support of alumni, allies, and community members. Make a donation today using our secure online platform.

Chancellor's Innovation Impact Awards
2026-05-07 16:00 - 20:30 | University Center, University Center, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join us for the Innovation Impact Awards program celebration, a festive event honoring some of UC Santa Cruz’s most innovative and creative individuals and communities.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
4 p.m.
UC Santa Cruz National Academy of Inventors Chapter From Campus to Commerce panel featuring a group of dynamic campus innovators and external commercialization partners bringing innovations to market
5:30 p.m.
Hor d’oeuvre reception followed by the awards presentation and celebration
UC Santa Cruz University Center
College Nine Rd, Santa Cruz, CA
REQUEST REGISTRATION

The awards recognize faculty, researchers, staff, students, and community partners for their valuable contributions to innovations and creative scholarship that have sparked transformative change and societal impact.
This year we will be recognizing and celebrating the following inspiring awardees:
Innovator of the Year
Mike Beck, director of the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience, is advancing innovative nature-based solutions that protect coastlines and communities from climate-driven storms and flooding.
Translation of the Year
NeuroSWARM3, a groundbreaking neurophotonic technology developed in the Yanik Lab enables wireless, minimally invasive monitoring of brain activity at unprecedented scale and resolution.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard E. Green, professor of biomolecular engineering, has built a career defined by groundbreaking innovations in genomics and computational biology, and translating fundamental science into lasting societal impact.
Community Changemaker
Bud Colligan has used venture capital, philanthropy, and community partnerships to strengthen the economic vitality, health, and opportunity of the Monterey Bay and Central Coast regions.
The event will also bring together a dynamic and diverse group of people who contribute to an ecosystem and environment that spurs innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship at the university and within the community.
We hope to see you there!

Event supported by:
Carter, DeLuca & Farrell LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP
Santa Cruz Ventures

Black on the Block
2026-05-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Crown Provost House, 660 Crown Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join the African American Resource & Cultural Center every Thursday from 1–2 p.m., at the front of the Ethnic Resource Center for Black on the Block, a weekly tabling and engagement space.
Stop by to learn about campus resources, upcoming programs, and ways to get involved. It’s a casual, welcoming space to ask questions, make connections, and build community. All are welcome.
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.

International Research Opportunities Forum: focus on Latin America
2026-05-07 12:00 - 14:00 | Engineering Building 2, E2-180
Please register by Monday, May 4, 2026.
Join us for the International Research Opportunities Forum: focus on Latin America, a collaborative event hosted by the Division of Global Engagement and the Division of Graduate Studies. This forum is intended for faculty and graduate students seeking to learn more about funding available for international research collaborations in Latin America.
Attendees will hear from panelists who have successfully received funding for research collaborations in Latin America during a discussion moderated by Dean Peter Biehl, followed by an interactive Q&A and networking session. Lunch will be provided.
Come hear from your colleagues on funding opportunities available to support research and mobility to and from Latin America!
Location: Engineering Building 2, E2-180 (map)
Agenda Highlights:

12:00 p.m. Check-in
12:10 p.m. Welcome
12:15–12:45 p.m. Panel Discussion
12:45–1:15 p.m. Audience Q&A
1:15–2:00 p.m. Networking & Tabling

Defeating Academic Burnout with Self-Efficacy
2026-05-07 12:00 - 12:45 | Academic Resources Center (ARC), 408 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
In this workshop, you will: Learn how developing your self efficacy can combat burnout through a mindful reflection activity.
The Successful Slug Workshop series, hosted by Learning Support Services Peer Coaches, are open to all UCSC undergraduate students and focus on academic skills and tools to support your success as a student. At each workshop, you will be introduced to a topic, engage in active learning, be given resources to begin implementing the same day, and have an opportunity to learn more if you are interested.
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.

Survivor Circles: Healing After Trauma
2026-05-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Hahn Student Services, Hahn Student Services, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
CARE’s Healing After Trauma survivor circles are an in-person, drop-in space to share and connect on the glimmers & struggles of recovering from harmful sexual experiences. Guided and led by CARE advocates, each week’s session will offer an opportunity to engage with a different alternative healing modality – from sound healing, to art therapy, collective rest, and more.

Fill out an Interest Form for more information.

Please note: The interest form is not required for attendance, nor a registration form – registration is not necessary for these events.

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.

Drop-in Figure Drawing
2026-05-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center, Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Drop-In Draw provides a live model and room monitor. There is no formal lesson and only dry media is allowed (no paints).
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ADVISORIES
– These events contain mature content and nudity.
– Drop-In Draw is subject to the possibility of last-minute cancellation without notification, and sessions are not guaranteed.
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ADMISSION
– FREE and open to the public
– UCSC Art Department Room M-101
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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
This series occurs weekly on Wednesday evenings during spring quarter, including the following:
Wednesday April 1, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 8, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 15, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 22, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 29, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 6, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 13, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 20, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 27, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
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PARKING
– Parking by permit or ParkMobile.
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event.
– 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).
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.
