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.

Explore the Colleges

Cowell College

The Pursuit of Truth in the Company of Friends

Merrill College

Cultural Identities and Global Consciousness

Oakes College

Communicating Diversity for a Just Society

Porter College

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis: Life is Short, Art Endures

Rachel Carson College from the air with the Monterey Bay in the background

College Event Spotlights

Student working on a mural at Merrill College

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.

View Colleges’ Events