Alumni are the "living endowment" of any university. The passion, pride and care you, our alumni, have for UC Santa Cruz help our campus thrive for future generations of students. 

Volunteering is a great way to give back, pay it forward, and make a lasting impact. You decide what type of activity is of personal significance to you—every contribution of your time and skill is welcome. Stay connected, Banana Slugs, and share your talents for the benefit of our students and campus community. If any of these opportunities interest you or you have another idea of how you’d like to connect back with the university, please contact us at alumni@ucsc.edu.

Ways to Volunteer:

Legislative Advocacy 

The UC Advocacy Network (UCAN) is a community of committed alumni, students, and UC Santa Cruz allies who lend their voices to shape state and federal policies promoting the university’s mission of education, research, and public service. Alumni can join the UCAN efforts by signing up here. 

Admissions Ambassador

Admissions Ambassadors help students make informed decisions about their university choices and inspire future Banana Slugs through their shared stories and professional achievements. Our alumni ambassadors help with outreach at local college fairs, table at information nights with prospective students, attend events for admitted students, answer questions for future UC Santa Cruz students, and speak to student groups about their college experience.

Student Support

You can help UC Santa Cruz students through programs and activities that bring alumni and students together for mentorship, career support, and connection. Alumni mentors provide valuable insight and prepare students for a successful future by sharing their professional and personal experiences and expertise.

• Career Mentor - Support current students and fellow alumni by joining our  Career Advice Network platform (CAN). Students and alumni can use this tool to find alumni with similar career interests and experiences and then book a time to connect over a secure conference line.

• Communities of Color Career Conference (4C) - This conference helps students of color and low-income students cross the bridge between the university and their careers. By connecting with alumni of color who have successfully transitioned into the workplace or graduate school, our students see their own possibilities 

• Guest Speaker/Panelists - We often invite alumni to speak in webinars, to a class,  or to student organizations to share their experiences of life after UC Santa Cruz. Topics might include: managing student loans; financing grad school; marketing yourself; adventure and travel; and tips for first-generation graduates.

• Baskin Mentor Network- The Baskin Engineering Mentor Collective program enhances the student experience by linking students with an alumni or peer mentor. Students are paired with someone invested in their success — a person ready to listen, inspire, help navigate challenges, and recognize opportunities. Help students with what to expect in school, how to approach challenges, gain career advice, and valuable insights. Learn more! 

Alumni Council

UC Santa Cruz Alumni Association is governed by an elected board of alumni volunteers called the Alumni Council. Councilors are elected by their alumni peers and serve a two-year term. If you are interested in learning more about the opportunity contact Shayna Kent, Executive Director of the Alumni Association.

Colleges

Alumni are valued advocates and connectors for their colleges. They often work closely with college leadership to provide support, speak to students, and host events, meet-ups, and reunions for alumni.

Regional

Dedicated and energetic regional volunteers create hubs of engagement around the country and the world. Alumni everywhere enjoy opportunities to connect with the campus and each other at events like happy hours, faculty talks, career advising, service projects, virtual meet-ups,  and more. The primary role of a regional volunteer is to plan or host events that foster local alumni connections. Alumni Engagement staff support volunteers with email invitations, RSVPs, facilitating virtual events, and staffing in-person events whenever possible. We can also provide name tags, signs, and fun giveaways. 

Friends Groups 

Friends groups, which include Friends of the Arboretum, Long Marine Laboratory,  and Lick Observatory have volunteer boards and committees that provide valuable support and assistance in fundraising, public outreach, and events that support the university’s mission. 

Questions?

Contact us if you have any questions about volunteering with UC Santa Cruz or are interested, but aren't sure where to start: alumni@ucsc.edu.