Student Leadership

Looking to get involved, gain leadership experience, and build community? Each college at UC Santa Cruz offers unique ways to lead—whether through student government, residential life, campus programs, or special academic initiatives.

College Nine

College Nine offers a wide range of leadership and volunteer roles:

College Nine Senate: Join student government to help shape college life.
Community Guides: Support orientation and student programs.
CLNI 85 Facilitators: Teach a 2-unit global issues course (5-unit leadership role).
Intercultural Community Weekend Co-Facilitators: Lead a retreat focused on global perspectives.
Practical Activism Conference: Plan a student-led social justice conference.
(H)ACER Program: Engage in community-based research.

More Info: College Nine Leadership

Cowell College

Cowell offers hands-on opportunities to lead and contribute:

Event Crew & Volunteers: Support college-wide events.
Cowell Senate: Be part of student government.
Entertainment Co-Op: Help manage a resource library of games and tools.
Photographers, Performers, and Artists: Share your talents through events and exhibits.
Student Life Leadership: Apply to be a Resident Assistant, Program Assistant, or Welcome Leader.

More Info: Cowell Get Involved

Crown College

Crown offers a wide variety of leadership roles through student employment:

Resident Assistants & Office Assistants
Programs Assistants & Orientation Leaders
Tech & Events Crew: Gain AV and event experience.
Peer Advisors: Support students academically.
Mailroom and Dining Staff Many positions are available through Handshake or the campus

Employee Request system. More Info: Crown Jobs

John R. Lewis College

Opportunities focus on social justice and community building:

JRLC 85 Facilitators: Lead a 2-unit workshop on social justice (5-unit leadership role).
Social Justice and Community Weekend Co-Facilitators
Practical Activism Conference Planning Team
College Guides: Support orientation and year-round events.
Rumi’s Field Peer Facilitators: Lead dialogue in residential communities.
(H)ACER Program: Join in community-engaged research.

More Info: John R. Lewis Leadership

Kresge College

Kresge emphasizes participatory leadership and community support:

Kresge Parliament: Join student government and plan college events.
Orientation Welcome Leaders (OWLs): Support new student transition.
Programs Assistants and Event Volunteers
Student Employment: Positions in residential life, event tech crew, activities office, and more.

More Info: Kresge Student Leaders

Merrill College

Merrill values cultural awareness and community-building:

Orientation Leaders: Help welcome new students and lead Fall events.
Programs Assistants: Plan and lead educational and social programming.
Merrill Student Government (MSG): Represent student voices and help allocate funding.

More Info: Merrill Student Involvement

Oakes College

Oakes provides many leadership paths rooted in equity and inclusion:

Neighborhood Assistants (NAs) & Community Assistants (CAs): Live-in and programmatic roles.
Oakes Senate: Join student government and help allocate funds.
Tech Crew & Social Media Specialists
Welcome Leaders (OWLs): Lead orientation and welcome events.

More Info: Oakes Leadership

Porter College

Porter encourages student creativity and involvement through:

Resident Assistants (RAs), Programs Assistants (PAs), and Community Assistants (CAs)
Positions in the Activities and Cocurricular Offices: Including student senate, college guides, and tech crew. Applications typically open in Winter Quarter.

More Info: Porter Student Employment

Rachel Carson College

RCC offers opportunities focused on leadership and environmental awareness:

Earth Week Internship and CUIP (Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program)
RCC Council: Join student government and help shape the college community.
Resident Assistants (RAs), Programs Assistants (PAs), Community Assistants (CAs)
Orientation Welcome Leaders

More Info: Rachel Carson Leadership

Stevenson College

Stevenson students can build leadership skills, support their peers, and help shape campus life through a variety of roles:

Stevenson Student Council: Represent your peers, plan events, and help shape the Stevenson community.

Resident Assistants (RAs), Programs Assistants (PAs), and Orientation Leaders: Support residential life and the first-year experience.
SLAC Opportunities: Through the Stevenson Leadership & Activities Center (SLAC), students can get involved in cross-cultural programming, global education events, and civic engagement initiatives.
College Core Course Peer Mentors: Help support new students through Stevenson’s foundational first-year course.

More Info: Stevenson Leadership & Activities