New Graduates
You’re a Slug for life.
Welcome to your Alumni Association. You’ve joined over 150,000 Banana Slugs across the globe! Your University is here for you; we encourage you to stay involved and connected. Explore the resources available to you as a recent grad below.
A note from UCSC Alumni Association President
Congratulations, new graduates! You are now part of a powerful, supportive alumni network of over 150,000 UC Santa Cruz alumni. We all share the experience of receiving an exceptional education and a unique college experience that helped shape who we are today. When we come together to support each other and our alma mater, we change lives for the better.
Alumni enjoy exclusive UCSC benefits and services. We offer events across the globe to connect the alumni network. We publish fascinating and cutting-edge stories and engage communities built around identities, interests, and locations. Let us know what you would like to gain from your alumni network, and we’ll do our best to match you with the right opportunity.
I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the Association’s Alumni Council for ten years, and I can’t emphasize enough what an incredible joy it is to connect with alumni. I have built my professional network, made new friends, and stayed connected to people I knew when I was a student.
Your UCSC Alumni Association is here for you! Tell us how we can make the UCSC alumni community more relevant in your life. Email alumni@ucsc.edu
John Madrid (Oakes ’98, language studies)
Getting Started
At UCSC we believe “once a Slug, always a Slug.” Learn how to get the most out of your Alumni Association membership – no dues or fees required – by following the
steps below:
✓ Complete the First Destination Survey
✓ Update your information
✓ Get your Alumni ID card
✓ Mark your calendar for upcoming events
✓ Consider making a gift to support your University
✓ Find your Regional Ambassadors
Learn about your Alumni Benefits.
First Destination Survey
We want to hear from you! Whether you are working, seeking employment, pursuing graduate studies, or following other interests, it takes just 5 minutes to share your path since graduation in the First Destination Survey.
The survey is used to create “Life Beyond the Redwoods,” an annual report about the achievements of our graduates. Read the 2022 report.
Update your information
Things change after graduation, but your University will always be here for you. Update your contact information to stay up-to-date on important UCSC news, events, and reunions.
Events & programs
Explore the exciting events and programs your Alumni Association plans exclusively for you. Ready to come back to campus already? Mark your calendar for Return to the Redwoods, August 16-18, 2024. Join us for virtual lectures, help us plan events in your area by becoming a regional Slug Ambassador, or if you live locally, join us for Santa Cruz events on campus and in the community.
Career Center
Alumni have access to all services at the Career Center for two years after graduation including free Career Coaching appointments. You can also find job postings on Handshake, explore free online resources, and find upcoming events and fairs.
Giving
Giving back to UC Santa Cruz has an immense impact on our students, faculty, and campus community. Your generosity funds scholarships, student enrichment, groundbreaking research, and countless other opportunities.