Research and education
improve lives and livelihoods
Leading at the intersection of innovation and social justice.
A global research university with an uncommon emphasis on undergraduate research and education, UC Santa Cruz is part of the world’s most celebrated system of public higher education, and stands among the most renowned institutions of higher learning.
The Spring Give is here!
Through May 19, your generosity can help unlock opportunities, inspire innovation, and empower UC Santa Cruz students to thrive. Let’s show our power, Banana Slug community!
News
Breaking down Asian stereotypes one ballet at a time
Choreographer Phil Chan discussed Orientalism and its depictions on stage in a recent talk on campus.
Facing the storm
UC Santa Cruz researchers are modeling a new line of coastal defense, finding that buffering aging levees with sloping wetlands reduces flood risk while establishing beneficial ecosystems.
Leading the nation’s premier coastal ecosystem research
Alumnus William “Monty” Graham was appointed director of the prestigious Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where he will lead its mission to understand the vital connections between land and water.
Brook Thompson: Sharing traditions, shaping better practices
Brook Thompson, a Ph.D. student in environmental studies, is connecting Indigenous knowledge with current science through her studies of chinook salmon—aiming to improve conservation efforts.
To lead means …
Creating real change
Students at UC Santa Cruz learn from incredible faculty, develop new skills through hands-on research opportunities, and have a track record of making an impact. What kind of a pathbreaker, innovator, or changemaker will you become?
Serving our society
World-class researchers at UC Santa Cruz unlock mysteries and help to transform our world, addressing some of our most pressing needs—from decoding cancer to protecting our natural environment to creating art that challenges assumptions. What will you contribute?
Shaping our future
A global community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we are committed to climate and economic resiliency for our local and coastal environments through multidisciplinary research, and sustainable and equitable practices.
Become a Banana Slug, and lead the change.
Get ready for your future
UC Santa Cruz graduates are sought after for their knowledge, skills, and passion. Whether you plan to start working right away, or pursue graduate school or professional school, your UC Santa Cruz degree will help you on your way.
See for yourself
One of the most extraordinary campuses in the world, UC Santa Cruz pairs high-impact research with 10 residential colleges—offering students the experience of a small liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university.
Here to help
A UC degree is worth it—and we can help you pay for it. Our financial aid program is one of the best out there. It supports students in all kinds of ways, whatever their background—with grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, and more.
Your journey awaits.
When you become a Banana Slug, you join a community of artists, innovators, creators,
and justice seekers united in using their voices to change the world.