Fiesta on the Hill

Merrill Cultural Center 200 McLaughlin Dr, Santa Cruz, CA

Join Merrill and Crown Programs Offices for an evening of food, fun, and community. Enjoy tamales, Mexican corn, music, and piñata fun while connecting with fellow Slugs. This festive event also features “Slugs Go Slow,” an initiative focused on making safe choices and building meaningful connections. Come for the food and celebration—stay for the community […]

Ellen Bass: Morton Marcus Poetry Reading

Merrill Cultural Center 200 McLaughlin Dr, Santa Cruz, CA

Join us for the 15th annual Morton Marcus Poetry Reading, featuring honored guest Ellen Bass. Poet Gary Young will host the program, and the evening will include an announcement of the winner of the Morton Marcus Poetry Contest (recipient receives a $1,000 prize). Ellen Bass’s most recent collection, Indigo, was published by Copper Canyon Press in […]

Teaching Symposium — Teaching Week 2026

Merrill Cultural Center 200 McLaughlin Dr, Santa Cruz, CA

This is the kick-off event for Teaching Week 2026. The symposium will showcase the work of instructors (including grads, lecturers, senate faculty) presenting on a teaching innovation, activity, program, or scholarly work. Presentation modalities include posters and short spoken presentations.

Free

Distinguished Teaching Award Lecture — Teaching Week 2026

Merrill Cultural Center 200 McLaughlin Dr, Santa Cruz, CA

Join us as Distinguished Teaching Award recipient Laurie Palmer, Professor of Art, shares her insights on teaching. This lecture is one of the key events featured in Teaching Week 2026.
Starting in 2018-2019, the Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes outstanding teaching on our campus. This annual award is an opportunity to acknowledge the pedagogical contributions of our colleagues that include—but also go beyond—any one particular course. It seeks to recognize an instructor that has made significant contributions to educational equity within and beyond UC Santa Cruz.

Free to the public
Last modified: Oct 23, 2025