10 Colleges. One Vision.
At UC Santa Cruz, our 10 colleges form diverse and inclusive living and learning communities that empower holistic student growth.
UC Santa Cruz Colleges
At UC Santa Cruz, every undergraduate is affiliated with one of 10 colleges—each with its own distinctive theme and community.
College Event Spotlights
Moat Day: Honoring Merrill’s legacy through student art
Merrill College’s Moat is more than a colorful walkway—it’s a living tradition of student expression and activism. Each spring, Moat Day invites the college community to come together for a day of art, connection, and celebration as a new student mural is added to the historic space. The annual event highlights Merrill’s enduring commitment to creativity, community-building, and honoring student voices past and present.
Slug Stories: A College Nine and John R. Lewis College student storytelling tradition
Slug Stories is an annual storytelling event hosted by College Nine and John R. Lewis College, where first-year students take the stage to share personal narratives that reflect their identities, challenges, and growth. The event is the culmination of a yearlong initiative that integrates storytelling into the Core Course, building connection, empathy, and community through live story slams, a digital archive, and creative exploration.
Kresge presents PRIDE: A student-led march and festival for LGBTQIA+ community
Kresge Presents PRIDE is UC Santa Cruz’s largest annual queer gathering—a student-led march and festival that celebrates LGBTQIA+ identity, visibility, and community. The event has grown into a favorite campus tradition, bringing students together for a cross-campus march, affinity spaces, and a lively festival of music, food, and resources. Organized primarily by student volunteers, the event uplifts queer voices while fostering connection, leadership, and joy.
College News
Rachel Carson
Breaking barriers and guiding others
As an outreach specialist with UC Santa Cruz’s Underground Scholars Program, Sammy Chavez (Rachel Carson ’25, Latin American and Latino studies and sociology) supports students navigating complex challenges in higher education. While completing his own degree, he was recognized with the Silver Slug Scholarship as a staff member pursuing his studies.
Kresge
Rooted in education, expanding opportunity
Inspired by a shared love of learning and a family of educators, alumnus Roger Koopmann (Stevenson ’80, economics) and his late husband, Tom Bullen (Ph.D. ’86, Earth sciences), established scholarships that give UC Santa Cruz students the chance to pursue research and study abroad experiences.
Kresge
UC Santa Cruz Alumnus Marty O’Reilly takes the stage on The Voice
Marty O’Reilly (Kresge ’12, environmental studies) turned three out of four judges’ chairs during The Voice blind auditions.