Friday, May 31 - Friday, June 7, 2024

Students are recognized for their achievements in research and other scholarly activities during Student Achievement Week!  During this time, many will present their work publicly through a myriad of events -- everything from the Art exhibitions, Theater productions, and Undergraduate Research celebrations.

COLLEGES AND CAMPUS

Chancellor's and Steck Family Awards Luncheon

Monday, June 3
In-Person Event
(Invitation only)

Three outstanding undergraduate theses/projects from each of the five divisions (15 total) are chosen annually to receive a $500 Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Award. One of these 15 undergraduate research projects will receive the $2,000 Steck Family Award which recognizes the top research project at UC Santa Cruz for 2023-2024. 

Chicanx Latinax Celebration

Monday, June 17
1:00 PM
East Upper Field
(Ticketed event)

For decades, the El Centro has been hosting the annual Chicanx Latinx Year-End Ceremony (CLYEC). This year's CLYEC will be hosted in person on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 1:00pm on the East Upper Field. 2024 will mark the 52nd anniversary of our Chicanx Latinx Year End Ceremony–a celebration for all graduating students, undergraduate and graduate, and their families. CLYEC is a community celebration for students who self-identify with the Chicane and Latine communities on campus and is organized by the El Centro. During the bilingual ceremony, there are danzantes, live musical performances, and powerful keynote speakers.

College Nine & John R. Lewis College: Student Leadership Recognition Ceremony

This casual celebration of our student leaders and the achievements of our C9/JRLC community will consist of food, gifts, music, honoring our graduates and leaders, and more!

Global Learning Alumni Recognition Dinner

Wednesday, May 8
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Namaste Lounge

Attention all Global Learning alumni that studied abroad/away this past year.

Join us for a special celebration in recognition of your time abroad/away! The purpose of the dinner is to celebrate students who have studied abroad or away and create a space for reflection, connection, and storytelling! We will offer a fully catered Mexican dinner and give you your global learning completion certificates.

Koret Undergraduate Research Slam

Friday, May 31
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
McHenry Library

This poster symposium event showcases the over 50 research and creative projects completed by the 2022-2023 Koret Scholars.The Koret Scholars Program is funded by a generous grant from the Koret Foundation and provides scholarships to undergraduate students for a variety of research projects and experiences from every division across campus. The public is welcome to attend the event.

Merrill Undergraduate Research Mentorship Spotlight

Merrill College sponsors a Merrill Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program for Merrill juniors and seniors. Students are paired with a Merrill Fellow to work up to 70 hours throughout the winter and spring quarters as paid research apprentices on the faculty member's research.

The purpose of the program is to inspire and prepare Merrill students to pursue graduate studies upon graduation from UCSC. It is designed to provide research experience and personal and professional development for Merrill juniors and seniors. Merrill Fellows nominate a student whose work they are familiar with and whose interests are similar to their own area of research and expertise. As part of their mentorship, students will be employed as Research Assistants up to a maximum of $1050 for the school year. 

Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony

Thursday, June 6
3:30 - 5:00 PM 
(Invitation only)

Undergraduates who were elected to Phi Beta Kappa will be formally inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society at this event. Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest honor society. This year’s ceremony will recognize inductees from the graduating classes of summer 2022, fall 2022, winter 2023, and spring 2023. Winners of the Phi Beta Kappa Graduate Scholarship will also be recognized. 

Lavender Graduation

Sunday, June 2
3:00 - 5:00 PM 
Cowell Ranch Hay Barn

The Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center invites you to participate in the in-person Lavender Graduation for LGBTQIA+ Slugs! Every year we are committed to honoring graduating students and celebrating the fact that y'all have made it! This celebration centers of students and each year we feature a graduating student to be our graduation speaker.

ARTS DIVISION

Arts Awards Ceremony

Every year, students in the Arts division are recognized for their academic achievements. This event recognizes all of the Arts students whose work was awarded.  

Spring Open Studios

Friday, June 7
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM 
Elena Baskin Visual Arts Studio

Open Studios features student art work in a variety of media including: drawing, painting, print media, sculpture, intermedia, photography, environmental art, and electronic art. Come to the UCSC Art Department located in the Elena Baskin Visual Arts Studios on Friday June 7, 2024 from 12pm - 4pm to see the Art students' artworks exhibited throughout the studios and classrooms. ADMISSION - Free and open to the public (Attend in person)

Art Department Graduation Ceremony

The Art Department will hold an informal graduation celebration in the Art Department courtyard with some brief remarks from faculty, snacks, refreshments, and we will be giving out graduation cords to those who are graduating. This is NOT an official graduation ceremony. Your actual graduation ceremony is Commencement, so please check in with your college to find out when and where your official graduation commencement ceremony is. That is the one where you will be given your diploma, and wear the gown (and the cord we give you).

Music Department Graduation Celebration

This event will be honoring our Class of 2024 Music Students. All music students (undergraduate and graduate) planning to graduate in the Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall 2024 terms are welcome to attend. 

HUMANITIES DIVISION

Celebrating the Humanities: Spring Awards Ceremony 2024

Thursday, June 6
4:00 - 7:00 PM 
(Invitation only)

Join us for this celebration of Humanities undergraduate student achievement. Friends and Family are welcome. 

Feminist Studies Undergraduate Research Symposium

A first ever Feminist Studies (FMST) undergraduate research symposium! This event will showcase FMST research to the UC Santa Cruz community and is open to all.

History Undergraduate Spring Showcase

Thursday, May 9
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 
Humanities 1 Room 210

The Undergraduate History Spring Showcase is an annual event held each spring that recognizes the exceptional research conducted by UC Santa Cruz History undergraduates.

Latin American and Latino Studies End of Year Celebration

Friday, June 7
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
Merrill Cultural Center

LALS undergraduates are invited to join LALS faculty, staff, and graduate students at this celebratory end-of-year event.

Latin American and Latino Studies Research Symposium

Wednesday, June 5
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 
Charles E. Merrill Lounge

The LALS Research Symposium will showcase research projects by current undergraduate and graduate students in LALS.

Linguistics Undergraduate Research Conference

Friday, June 7
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 
Stevenson Fireside Lounge

Towards the end of the spring quarter each year, the Linguistics Undergraduate Research Conference (LURC) showcases the research of the department's undergraduate students. This conference always features as an invited speaker, a distinguished alumnus or alumna of the department. 

Literature Department Annual Undergraduate Colloquium

This event showcases and celebrates undergraduate academic work in the Literature Department. 

The Undergraduate Colloquium is open to the public; audience members include students, faculty, family, and community members. For students who may be considering graduate school, the Literature Undergraduate Colloquium is an excellent opportunity to publicly deliver a paper; it is an exciting event for all participants! Undergraduate students of any level may submit papers for the colloquium. Papers in all fields of literary inquiry, including creative writing, will be presented.

DIVISION OF PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, AND JACK BASKIN SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Baskin School of Engineering's Dean's & Chancellor's Award Ceremony

This invitation-only event will honor student recipients of the 2024 Deans' and Chancellor's Award. The Dean of the School of Engineering will be handing out awrds followed by a reception. 

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium

EEB students will present their research during a poster session held in the CBB courtyard. 

MESA Senior Celebration

Saturday, June 1
(invitation only)

This invitation-only event will honor MESA Engineering students of 2024.

SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION

Building Belonging Student Showcase 2024

The Institute for Social Transformation is excited to host an end-of-year celebration and student showcase event to honor the work that has been accomplished in the Building Belonging program. Students who have been involved in the program in 2023-24 will present their contributions to research projects. 

This event will provide Building Belonging Fellows an opportunity to share their research with the community. All are welcome to attend including students, faculty, staff, family and friends. 

Sponsored by: The Institute for Social Transformation and the Division of Social Sciences.

Environmental Studies Undergraduate Senior Poster Symposium

Monday, June 3
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM 

Check out what the Environmental Studies students have been up to in their senior theses, senior internships, and senior seminar projects!

Latin American and Latino Studies Research Symposium

The LALS Research Symposium will showcase research projects by current undergraduate and graduate students in LALS. 

Latin American and Latino Studies End of Year Celebration

LALS graduates are invited to join LALS faculty, staff, and graduate students at this celebratory end-of-year event. 

Social Sciences Student Awards Luncheon

This event will honor student recipients of the Division of Social Sciences 2024 awards/scholarships, including the Deans' award recipients. 

Sociology Graduation Ceremony

The Sociology Department will be hosting a celebration for sociology majors who graduated or are graduating between Fall 2023-Fall 2024. The event will include a program and the announcement of Sociology Department awards. Sociology faculty, staff, grad students, and students will be in attendance. We hope to see you then sociology seniors!