Life Beyond the Redwoods
Class of 2024: One Year Later
One year after graduation, the Class of 2024 continues to inspire us. As they pursue graduate studies, build their careers, serve their communities, and follow their personal passions, our alumni embody the values that define UC Santa Cruz. We are proud to see them carry forward the spirit of innovation and social responsibility they cultivated on our campus.“
Cynthia K. Larive, UC Santa Cruz Chancellor
About the Undergraduate Class of 2024
By the numbers
4,627
graduates in 2024
1,402
transfer students
185
international students
34%
first generation graduates
37%
Pell Grant recipients
Class of 2024 Alumni
Celebrate the unique journeys and achievements of our graduates as we spotlight eight individuals from the Class of 2024 who are making strides in various fields, from public service and law to working at the biggest names in tech. Each profile exemplifies the diverse talents and aspirations fostered at UC Santa Cruz, showcasing the impact our alumni have on their communities and beyond.
Tanner Rowland
Congressional Aide at the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta
Cowell College
B.A. Politics, minor Legal Studies
Tanner Rowland discovered her passion for public service at UC Santa Cruz. The hands-on experience she gained through internships—combined with the discipline and leadership she gained as a student-athlete on the NCAA Women’s Tennis Team—helped her land a full-time role as a congressional aide in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving in the Office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta after graduating from UC Santa Cruz.
Choosing to attend UC Santa Cruz was one of the most impactful decisions I have made, both personally and academically. UCSC offered the necessary pathways and tools I needed to succeed after completing my degree. I feel incredibly fortunate for my time studying in the redwoods and competing in college sports as a Banana Slug.”
Ricardo Esquivel
Software Engineer at Microsoft
John R. Lewis College
B.S. Computer Science
As a software engineer at Microsoft, Ricardo’s responsibilities include fixing performance bugs across the Microsoft Office suite, collaborating with app team drivers to deliver high-performing apps, and more.
Ricardo is eager to continue working at Microsoft and one day hold a management position.
At UC Santa Cruz, I mastered the concepts required to solve real world problems and grasp the initial steps in becoming an application developer. The university community played a big role in teaching me how to be a leader, how to ask good questions, and how to excel in competitive and high pressure environments.”
Arsema Moges
Product Manager at Apple
College Nine
B.S. Technology and Information Management
Arsema Moges is passionate about technology and its potential to make a meaningful impact, whether she’s navigating the complexities of product development or exploring ways to drive social change through innovation. Now a product manager at Apple, she credits her time at UC Santa Cruz with laying the groundwork for her success.
In her role at Apple, Arsema helps to ensure the delivery of scalable software products that support critical business functions across the company.
UC Santa Cruz played a big role in preparing me for my role at Apple. Engineering Department courses gave me a strong foundation in the software development life cycle, the product life cycle, and the dynamics of cross-functional teams.”
Jane Grantham
Awards Administrative Consultant at Warner Bros. Entertainment; Intern at fortyseven communications
Porter College
B.A. Art and Design: Games and Playable Media
After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Jane Grantham entered into a contract role with Warner Bros Entertainment as an awards administrative consultant providing support during the annual Awards Season for Warner Bros up until The Oscars. She worked on movie events for titles like Dune: Part Two, and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.
In June, Jane began a new position as an intern at fortyseven communications, an agency specializing in entertainment, games, and digital lifestyle.
I had always been interested in games growing up, fascinated by the human relationship to the digital space, but had never realized that a career path existed until I came to UC Santa Cruz.”
Ryan Haraden
J.D. Candidate at Georgetown University Law Center
Stevenson College
B.A. Intensive Psychology, minor Politics
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ryan Haraden is a J.D. Candidate at Georgetown University Law Center.
Driven by a passion for public service and a keen interest in the systems that shape American life, Ryan has focused his legal studies on labor and employment law. He has gained hands-on experience through pro bono work with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee’s Workers’ Rights Clinic and through an internship with the National Institute for Workers’ Rights, contributing to efforts that promote a more equitable economic future for all workers.
At UC Santa Cruz, I was able to take classes in all of the subjects I was passionate about. That allowed me to figure out what mattered most to me and find my place.”
Danny Cruz
Cellular and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Student at University of Michigan Medicine
Porter College
B.S. Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
For Danny Cruz, science is more than a career path—it’s a way to uplift his community and honor the values instilled by his family. Just one year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, he’s now pursuing a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology at University of Michigan Medicine, where he continues to build on the foundation of research, resilience, and purpose he developed as an undergraduate.
UC Santa Cruz helped me gain exposure to science through a variety of research experiences while introducing me to a community that continues to support me to this day.”
Ciara Bolt
Research Associate at Natera
Kresge College
B.S. Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
Ciara Bolt transferred to UC Santa Cruz from Cabrillo College in fall 2022, bringing with them a strong foundation that boosted their confidence to thrive. At UC Santa Cruz, they built on that foundation, gaining the skills and experience needed to secure laboratory positions after graduation.
From Dec. 2024 to April 2025, Ciara worked as a Junior Specialist in the Sil Lab at UC San Francisco. As of June, Bolt works as a research associate at Natera, a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health.
I had always known I liked biology, but UCSC gave me the tools to understand what biology looks like in a laboratory environment. I was able to perform experiments I never thought possible and contribute to a project that really pushed my understanding of the material I was learning in my classes.”
Smeet Mehta
Analyst at 100X.VC Mumbai
Crown College
B.A. Philosophy
At UC Santa Cruz, Smeet Mehta took advantage of any opportunity that came his way. Now, a year after graduation, Smeet is an analyst at 100X.VC, a venture capital firm based in Mumbai, India. His favorite part of his job is being a part of helping start-ups get the funding they need to achieve their goals.
UC Santa Cruz taught me to be greedy for opportunity. The more greedy I was for opportunity, the more I was in the right place at the right time. A lot of great accidents happened where I ended up in positions I didn’t even expect to be in, and it turned out to be really fruitful.”
Where are they now?
Among the Class of 2024, an impressive 92 percent have chosen to continue their careers and further education within California, contributing to the state’s vibrant and innovative landscape. Many have pursued further education at prestigious graduate schools, including Georgetown University, the University of Michigan, and more. Professionally, they are making significant strides in diverse industries, including tech, media, and healthcare.
The UC Santa Cruz alumni community numbers over 160,000, and their diverse range of achievements both within academia and beyond reflects the depth of their impact on the world. As the class of 2024 ventures forth, they carry with them the ethos of UC Santa Cruz, poised to make meaningful contributions and a positive influence in society.