I am delighted to present the 2023-2024 Division of Student Affairs and Success annual report. This past year was one of significant milestones and continued progress, marked by our unparalleled commitment to enhancing the UC Santa Cruz student experience.
Among our most notable achievements, we celebrated the opening of the Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall, providing a vibrant new space for our students to connect and dine. The completion of Kresge Phase 1 brought three new residence halls into operation, further expanding our capacity to offer high-quality living spaces for our students. Additionally, we proudly adopted the Okanagan Charter, solidifying our commitment to becoming a health-promoting campus that prioritizes the well-being of our entire community.
Throughout this past year, we also continued advancing our divisional strategic plan. Our strategic plan planning team culled through 1000-plus pieces of divisional feedback to identify 12 key initiatives that will chart our course for the next three to five years. In May, we launched our first major initiative: operational excellence. This initiative is setting the foundation for more streamlined and effective practices across our division, ensuring that we are not only meeting the current needs of our students but also anticipating and preparing for future challenges. By prioritizing these initiatives, we are enhancing our capacity to support every student’s journey at UC Santa Cruz, helping them thrive in an environment built for their success.
This year also brought its share of challenges – as it did for many campuses across the nation. Despite the many challenges we faced, the strength and adaptability of our team remained constant. I am deeply grateful for the incredible efforts of our staff, who continued to prioritize student success despite these obstacles. Their resilience and commitment have been the cornerstone of our achievements, enabling us to navigate the complexities of this year while staying true to our mission to support and empower our students.
This report highlights our division’s profound impact on the student experience. As you explore its pages, I hope you gain a deeper understanding of our accomplishments, the challenges we’ve surmounted, and the passion that fuels our work.
WHAT’S INSIDE
Our future is full of promise
I am eager to see the successes we will create together in the years ahead.
- Akirah Bradley-Armstrong
Dr. Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, Vice Chancellor UCSC
ABOUT(DSAS)
The UC Santa Cruz Division of Student Affairs and Success
The UC Santa Cruz Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS), led by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success, consists of nearly 700 professional staff and over 1,700 student staff, spanning 5 major units. Deeply devoted to offering students a transformational educational experience, our division provides campus-wide coordination and leadership of student success programs, activities, and initiatives. We encourage students’ development through a number of resources, services, and systems dedicated to providing direct student support.
OUR THREE PRIORITIES
Our Division’s North Star
STUDENT-CENTERED DECISION-MAKING
“The entirety of our work is grounded in educational equity, institutional responsibility, and an unfettered commitment to supporting the whole student. Guided by data and assessment, we aspire to ensure every student feels welcome, supported, and a sense of belonging during their time on campus. Our efforts are informed by robust and dynamic relationships with campus leadership, faculty, students, and staff from across the campus, reflecting the broad campus commitment to ensuring student success. Beyond UC Santa Cruz, our team is involved in numerous professional organizations and highly engaged in the local community.
We aspire to ensure every student feels welcome, supported, and a sense of belonging during their time on campus.
Students are the reason for our work. Supporting their success is paramount to the programs we offer, the events we host, the resources we share, and the initiatives we lead. Student-centered decision making does not yield to students’ wants, preferences, and comforts at all turns. Rather, it securely roots itself in the vast understanding of student development and, when necessary, challenges and supports students as they journey through the uncomfortable and uncertain. If an existing program, initiative, or resource is not student-centered, it must be thoroughly evaluated and redesigned to ensure students’ best interests are at the heart of its mission or purpose. Student well-being and development will be at the core of all our decisions.
EQUITY AND INCLUSIO N
As we strive to uphold UC Santa Cruz’s Principles of Community, our division commits to pushing the boundaries of equity and justice in all the little and big ways. We will be fierce advocates for marginalized students and will champion access to equitable UCSC experiences for all. We will evaluate and assess our systems, processes, and programs to break down barriers that may otherwise exclude student engagement. We will maintain a critical and discerning lookout for injustice on campus, in the Santa Cruz community, and around the world beyond. Where we witness injustice, we will interrupt, intervene, and insist on change. We will use our power–and our positions–to curtail the perils of prejudice.
INNOVATION
Our capacity to support students is strengthened by our curiosity for what could be and our courage to pursue possibilities through new and innovative approaches to our work. Motivated by the vast potential of tomorrow, we are committed to overcoming the limits of today. We recognize failure is part of this journey and welcome its many teachings and opportunities for growth. Undeterred, we resolve to try, try again, and try anew. Compelled by the transformative potential of our work, we are ambassadors for change and visionaries of possibility. By acting boldly and thinking creatively, we will lead the division–and our campus–into the future.
PRIORITIES IN ACTION SASSY Priority Award Winners
Equity Champion: Ana Martin
Project Coordinator, Learning Support Services
Ana actively works to reduce barriers and advocates for additional features to ensure students can easily access our services. She always prioritizes students, dedicating extensive time each quarter to testing system features, shadowing students, and setting up staff schedules in preparation for enrollment. This dedication has resulted in a 30% increase in tutoring service usage. Additionally, Ana developed a Peer Success Coaching program that trains firstgeneration student coaches, utilizing a strengths-based approach to supporting student success. Ana consistently applies an equity lens to all their work, including recruiting and training tutors, and providing critical feedback with compassion and firmness.
Our Innovation Award winners led the way in innovating the capture and tracking of business and financial requests across several units in the division. Initially, various CHES departments used different Excel sheets, emails, and Google forms to manage agreements and requests without a unified database. They learned new forms and project management tools, collaborating with the rest of the Budget and Financial Management team and others to create a comprehensive solution. This effort resulted in the creation of a new form and tracker, consolidating all divisional requests, including sponsorships, events, and position management, into one efficient system. This innovation streamlined our processes, eliminating duplicate files and emails. Their leadership brought innovation, efficiency, and effectiveness to our division!
Jen demonstrates a remarkable dedication to advancing disability justice which makes her an exceptional nominee for the ‘Student-Centered Decision-Maker’ award. Her tireless advocacy for digital accessibility, in collaboration with the Access4All team and key campus stakeholders, underscores her commitment to equitable access. Her support for staff within the Disability Resource Center (DRC) demonstrates unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive learning environment. Over the past year, Jen’s leadership in establishing the Testing Center has transformed accommodated exam administration, empowering students to showcase their knowledge on an equal basis. Her impactful contributions truly embody the essence of student-centered decision-making.
Program Spotlights
Equity & Inclusion:
Men of Color Healing Association expands services and outreach
The Men of Color Healing Association (MOCHA), formerly known as the Black Men’s Initiative, expanded to include all men of color in 2023-2024 and moved under the Office of ABC Student Success. The program hosted its annual Blazer Ceremony, celebrating approximately 30 students who completed the program by attending all workshops and mentor meetups. Mentors in the program are required to recruit mentees, hold guided conversations, and attend wellness seminars on topics like positive masculinity and social issues. Mentees benefit from meeting with Academic Achievement counselors, attending wellness seminars, and gaining EOP status, along with guaranteed access to the Textbook Assistance Program.
Innovation:
DSAS hosts first ever student Ideathon
In May, DSAS hosted the first ever student Ideathon, a short, intensive, startup-like experience for students to develop solutions to address the most pressing issues that they face. After receiving initial instruction on student development theory and the DSAS organization, the participants worked on developing ideas and solutions over the course of two days. The teams pitched their ideas to a group of judges, who provided feedback. The top finishing team, who proposed an app to help students connect with the offcampus housing market, is now working with our housing and community rental teams to pursue implementation.
Student-Centered Decision-Making:
Improving off-campus housing resources to be more student-centered, the housing application period and room selection process were shifted six weeks earlier. This change allowed students to know sooner if they’ve secured on-campus housing or if they need to consider off-campus options. To support this transition, the Student Housing Services team hosted two Off-campus Housing Resource Fairs and sixteen pop-up tabling sessions. The fairs connected students with landlords, property managers, and community organizations, while the pop-up sessions provided convenient, on-the-spot assistance. These initiatives significantly increased awareness of housing resources, helping students make informed decisions about their living arrangements.
Improving off-campus housing resources priorities in action
DIVISIONA L OFFICE
2023-2024 Highlights
Slug Success, our student success management system, allows us to more efficiently and effectively build systems that validate students’ experiences and break down silos by connecting students to experts and aligning systems of support.
61,151
APPOINTMENTS
SCHEDULED
MESSAGES
SENT
90,881
Hosted out of the Student Affairs and Success divisional office, Slugcast is the official UCSC podcast. Slugcasters are made up of undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about life as a banana slug. From news to engaging stories, Slugcast is a way for students to learn more about campus resources, services, and student stories no matter where they are.
Available wherever you listen to podcasts
SLUGCAST HAS RECORDED
30,761 DOWNLOADS TO DATE
Throughout the year, DSAS offered team members 22 professional development workshops including sessions about Free/Contested Speech to Crisis Intervention, De-Escalation and Effective Communication Skills, and the second annual DSAS Symposium. In March, the division gathered for the second annual DSAS Symposium. The eventured a keynote address by Nada Miljkovic who spoke about the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset. After the keynote address, team members were able to attend a variety of breakout sessions on topics including the UC Multi-Year Compact, The Okanagan Charter, Capital Planning, Capital Campaign and Fundraising Overview, and Campus Budget Update.
Team members attended these workshops for a total of 1,918 professional development hours.
Quarterly Lunches
The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success hosted quarterly lunches with students, providing a relaxed and open setting for meaningful conversations. These lunches offered students a unique opportunity to share their experiences, voice concerns, and discuss ideas directly with Vice Chancellor Bradley-Armstrong. The gatherings foster a sense of community and ensure that student voices are heard and valued in shaping campus life. This year, over 30 students participated in these lunch gatherings.
“ Being one of the only students in a space was daunting at first but now I know I can do it. This job gave me the opportunity to practice and hone my skills.
“
Welcome Week 2023
DSAS WELCOMED NEWEST BANANA SLUGS THROUGH SERIES OF CAMPUS WIDE EVENTS
UCSC celebrated the start of the fall quarter with an energetic Welcome Week, led by the division of student affairs and success. Highlights included Laser Tag at the Stevenson Event Center, the Cornucopia resource fair, and the traditional Boardwalk Frolic. New activities featured a class photo on East Field and the Student Success and Equity fair. The week ended with a movie night at Quarry Amphitheater. The events fostered connections among students, with high attendance and enthusiasm, setting a vibrant tone for the new academic year.
Maddie Lee
Maddie is originally from Walnut, California and graduated from UCSC in June 2024 with a BA in Legal Studies. Maddie’s senior year was highlighted by making as many memories as possible with her friends and in the workplace. During her time with the divisional office, Maddie engaged in research projects related to the Student Fee Advisory Committee and the divisional strategic plan and served on the CHES AVC search committee, the Strategic Plan Task Force, and the SASSYs selection committee.
Maddie reflects on her experience working in DSAS: “Working on data projects helped me use all of the skills that I was learning in my academic classes. We are a research university and you need to have facts behind your statements.”
Maddie is taking a myriad of skills from her time working in DSAS, including speaking more confidently in front of people and working with professionals.
Over 1,000 students participated in the inaugural class picture
6,833 students moved into campus housing in a five day period
33,582 meals served in the dining halls
4,551 students enjoyed dinner at Cornucopia on the East Field
7,000 tickets issued for the Boardwalk Frolic
DSAS LAUNCHED WEBINAR SERIES TO CONNECT FAMILIES WITH CAMPUS RESOURCES
In December 2023, the Division of Student Affairs and Success launched a Vir tual Coffee Hour series for parents and families. The series was designed to foster connection, share insights, and provide valuable resources to enhance the support offered to students. The 2023-2024 schedule featured presentations and conversations with professionals from Student Health and Wellness, Residence Life and Housing, Financial Aid, and Career Success.
697 TOTAL PEOPLE attended the four sessions
COLLEGES, HOUSING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Departments
Capital Planning
College Student Life (CSL)
Dining Services
Housing Services
- Affiliated Residential Community Housing (ARCH)
- Residential Community Service Program (RCSP)
- Conference Services
- Early Education Services (EES)
- Facilities
2023-2024 Highlights
CAMPUS CELEBRATES OPENING OF THREE NEW RESIDENCE HALLS
On September 27, campus celebrated completion of the first phase of the Kresge Renewal Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony gave way to opening doors to the campus’ three newest residence halls, providing beds to over 400 students. The new residence halls feature open spaces and lounges designed to foster connection and collaboration among students. Future phases of the Kresge Renewal Project will bring even greater housing capacity to campus.
13,904 work orders completed by facilities
561 College Student Life sponsored programs
Student leader champions Stevenson’s first-ever welcome murals
Psi Padhya, a Stevenson student leader, Resident Assistant, and Stevenson Student Council DEI Officer, led an initiative to create Stevenson College’s first-ever welcome mural. Psi diligently gathered input from students, alumni, faculty, and staff. After proposing the project and collecting feedback, Psi collaborated with college leadership and local muralists Taylor Reinhold, Erika Rosendale, and Sadie Reinhold to bring this vision to life. The mural now proudly adorns the entrance to Stevenson College, showcasing the collective effort and creativity of the community.
STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Departments
Campus Mobile Crisis Team (CMCT)
Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment (CARE)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Medical Clinic
Pharmacy
Student Health Outreach & Promotion (SHOP)
2023-2024 Highlights
22,409 Primary Care Visits
17,069 CAPS Visits
7,658 Referrals
34,192 Labs completed
Akira’s Path
Health Services to Graduation
Akira, a first-generation college student, began working at UCSC’s Student Health Services in August 2021. Initially starting as a COVID-19 Kiosk Attendant, she was motivated by a personal commitment to campus safety and her experience caring for an immunocompromised family member.
In March 2023, Akira transitioned to the role of Student Digital Media Assistant, where she combined her interests in healthcare and design to contribute to student health communication and website accessibility. Akira graduated in June 2024 with a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Legal Studies and Politics. As a Legal Studies and Politics graduate, she valued the intersectionality and inclusiveness of Student Health Services, believing that a healthy mind and body are essential for academic and personal success.
...she valued the intersectionality and inclusiveness of Student Health Services...
STUDENT HEALTH CENTER EARNS AAAHC ACCREDITATION
In spring 2024, our Student Health Center proudly achieved accreditation through the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), reflecting our commitment to providing high-quality care and services to our students. This recognition underscores our dedication to meeting rigorous standards in healthcare, ensuring that our students receive the best possible support for their physical and mental well-being. The accreditation is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of our entire team, who are deeply invested in the health and success of our student community.
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT & ENGAGEMENT/ DEAN OF STUDENTS
Basic Needs
Dean of Students Office
KZSC Radio
Quarry Amphitheater
Slug Support
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Student Conduct and Conflict Education
Slug Life Productions Board brings Banana Slugs together through music and entertainment
This year, the Quarry Amphitheater launched a pilot program with the Slug Life Productions Board (SLPB), a student-run group dedicated to boosting Banana Slug pride through music and entertainment. The Amphitheater team provided mentorship and operational support while SLPB organized events that fostered connection and belonging. Students gained hands-on experience in the entertainment industry by planning, booking, and hosting music and social programs. Highlights included a fall concert featuring Orion Sun with over 1,400 attendees, a silent rave at Porter Dining Hall with 400 attendees, and a movie night with a film screening and costume contest. The SLPB included three paid positions and a board made of ten students, one representative from each college.
Survey of students who attended fall concert:
82.2% of survey resondents said programming at the Quarry Amphitheatre creates a positive campus climate
78.9% of respondents said that Quarry Amphitheater events boost mental health and help with stress reduction
PEER REVIEW BOARD CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, EMPOWERING STUDENT VOICES IN CONDUCT PROCESS
The Peer Review Board (PRB) is a peer-based alternative to the traditional student conduct process, emphasizing restorative justice and a community-oriented mindset. The PRB mirrors the typical conduct process, with student peers reviewing and making decisions on cases, while maintaining the same student rights, responsibilities, processes, and appeal guidelines. This year, the board celebrated its fourth year with seven board members leading our efforts to connect students to resources, rethink policies from a community and student perspective, and ensure student voices are heard in the conduct process. The board worked collaboratively with students across campus to design 18 student conduct outcomes that seek to foster education and repair relationships. Collectively, members of the board completed 616 HOURS OF ONBOARDING AND ONGOING TRAINING.
STUDENT SUCCESS AND EQUITY
Departments
Career Success
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP)
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives
Learning Support Services (LSS)
Office of African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) Student Success
Resource Centers
African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC)
American Indian Resource Center (AIRC)
Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center (AAPI)
Cantú Queer Center
El Centro
Womxn’s Center
Services for Transfer, Re-entry and Resilient Scholars (STARRS) 2023-2024 Highlights
4,956 Students attended Career Success programs
4,233 Drop-in and scheduled appointments with EOP students
3,345 Drop-in visits to the STARRS Lounge
1,312 student check-ins at the Ethnic Resources Center in Spring Quarter
BANANA
AND
Emmanuel traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress on higher education issues. He met with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, and staffers from Congressman Ro Khanna’s office. His efforts focused on college affordability and educational equity, advocating for increased Pell Grants, support for MinorityServing Institutions, early outreach programs like TRIO and GEAR UP, better support for students with disabilities, and expanded child care for student parents..
EMMANUEL OGUNDIPE:
SLUG
CONGRESSIONAL LOBBYIST
CELEBRATING OUR MILESTONES
A NEW ERA FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ON CAMPUS
Thanks to the work of the Okanagan Charter Task Force, charged by Vice Chancellor Bradley-Armstrong and led by Meg Kobe and Jessica Bulleri, UC Santa Cruz adopted the Okanagan Charter on May 13. This international charter, created in 2015, integrates health and well-being into campus culture, practices, and academics. The initiative aims to enhance well-being, promote academic success, and foster a supportive environment. The UC Santa Cruz Well-being Collective, supported by an Advisory Council and a steering committee, will guide these efforts, ensuring long-term focus and community input, and reinforcing the campus’s commitment to an inclusive environment.
A New Era for Health and Well-being on Campus
“By committing to the Okanagan Charter, UC Santa Cruz is taking a proactive stance in prioritizing the health and well-being of our campus community,” said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Success Akirah Bradley-Armstrong. “This initiative will foster a more supportive and nurturing environment where every individual can thrive.”
“We find ourselves at a really unique—and unsettling—time in higher education,” Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Health and Wellness and Chief Well-being Officer John Bollard shared. “Paying attention to personal and community well-being have never been more important. And just as the work of our behavioral health team is laser-focused on supporting our students and expanding our services in strategic and innovative ways, the adoption of the Okanagan Charter will provide an opportunity to do the same on a communal scale. I’m very optimistic, and excited, about the potential impacts of these efforts.”
CELEBRATING OUR MILESTONES
DINING SERVICES EXPANDED OPERATIONS, OPENED MULTIPLE NEW LOCATIONS -
Dining Services opened multiple new locations during the 2023-24 academic year, including Banana Joe’s, Global Village Cafe, Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall, Slugstop, Owl’s Nest, and University Bistro. Dining Services now operates 18 locations across campus.
2,232,012 dining transactions
In September, students, staff, and faculty joined campus leadership to celebrate the re-opening of Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall. The newly renovated dining hall features state-of-the-art design concepts, including a demonstration kitchen.
In March, Dining Services opened Owl’s Nest Cafe featuring primarily plant-based, made-to-order mediterranean and breakfast bowls as well as a coffee and smoothie bar.
In November, the University Center Bistro opened its doors for service. The Bistro features a brand new hybrid service model, providing diners with an upscale, casual dining experience.
CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS
STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS
To honor the incredible work our student employees complete across the division, the Career Success team hosted the second annual DSAS Student Employee Excellence Awards in May. The committee reviewed over 70 nominations and selected 15 student employees to recognize for their outstanding achievements in the five categories below:
Rising Star in Career Readiness Winners:
Marianas Fernandez | Program Coordinator, Colleges, Housing and Educational Services
Emiliano Navarrete | SUA Treasurer, Student Development and Engagement
Kiersten Waters | Peer Educator, Student Health and Wellness
Change Makers in Community Engagement Winners:
Jessica Flores | Bridge Mentor, Student Success and Equity
Krystle Pale | Transition Mentor, Student Success and Equity
Amanda Safi | Intern, Student Development and Engagement
Visionary in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Winners:
Alysha Galotta | Intern, Student Success and Equity
Aaliyah Marquez | Resident Assistant, Colleges, Housing and Educational Services
Marissa McGuire | Transition Mentor, Student Success and Equity
DSAS INVOLVEMENT: El Centro, GANAS Career Internship
Feeling homesick, Renata attended a Dia de los Muertos event in her second year. The event helped her find comfort and a sense of belonging. Soon after, a position with El Centro opened up, and Renata became a program coordinator. Over two years, she planned events, collaborated with resource centers and local organizations, and supported students even serving as MC for Dia de los Muertos. Renata also participated in UCSC’s GANAS Career Internship program, securing her first internship with the Santa Cruz County Health Department.
Life beyond the redwoods: Cloud Support Associate with Amazon in Seattle, WA. Lopez aspires to work on the ethics of machine learning and AI.
“It’s okay to take up space, make mistakes, fail classes, and not do the best as long as you’re giving it your best shot, I’m definitely not trying to do everything alone. I feel like a lot of the things that helped me out were through collaborative work. It’s ok if your journey doesn’t look the same as others.”
CELEBRATING OUR ALUMNI
Nailah Smith, ‘23
Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Stevenson College
DSAS INVOLVEMENT: African American Resource and Cultural Center, Black Student Union, Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program, Equal Opportunity Programs, Stevenson Student Council and Student Union Assembly
Nailah has a passion for amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. One of her long term goals is to advocate for and support women, and especially women of color in tech. Nailah was recently accepted into SJSU’s Human Factors Ergonomics User Experience Program. She will pursue a Masters in Science while continuing her full-time role with the university.
Life beyond the redwoods: Department Coordinator, African American Studies at San Jose State University
“Being involved in diverse spaces at UC Santa Cruz opened my eyes to truly unique perspectives. I am now following my passion of being a voice for the underrepresented and working to make tech more accessible for all!”
DSAS INVOLVEMENT: El Centro Equal Opportunity Programs, Pathways to Research, Cruz Control dance team
Izzy credits UCSC with giving them opportunities to expand outside their comfort zone through internships with El Centro, campus research, and programs like HSI and EOP. They learned the value of community and contributed actively. As an academic intern and later a program coordinator at El Centro, Zazueta organized Fashion as Resistance, celebrating intersectional identities and challenging stereotypes. They also influenced El Centro’s Dia de los Muertos celebration and collaborated with other campus resource centers.
Life beyond the redwoods: Pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. After earning their Ph.D., Zazueta hopes to become a professor and eventually pursue an MFA in cosmetology with a focus on hair and makeup.
“I’ve known California all my life, so I’m excited to be somewhere where nobody really knows me, break out of my shell, and continue exploring my research to a greater extent, I’m excited to be somewhere new and explore new things.”
Ryan Loyola, ‘23 Politics, minor Legal Studies, Stevenson College
DSAS INVOLVEMENT: Bayanihan, City on a Hill Press, Engaging Education (e2)’
Life beyond the redwoods: News Assistant at ABC7 Los Angeles
As a news assistant with ABC7 Los Angeles, Ryan pitches stories, follows up on story leads, interviews sources, and reports on breaking news. In the future, Ryan hopes to become a news producer for a major television market.
“Because of the opportunities I’ve had, I’ve evolved into a journalist who now focuses on the intersection of policy, underrepresented communities, and the Gen Z experience.”
CELEBRATING OUR STAFF
CELEBRATING OUR STAFF
On Tuesday, June 18, DSAS staff gathered in the Kresge Lecture Hall for the second annual SASSYs. The afternoon of appreciation and celebration started with our partners at On the Margins hosting a healing space featuring free massages, reiki, limpias, natural remedies, and a number of giveaways. Following the awards ceremony, attendees enjoyed treats from Adorable French Bakery. During the awards ceremony, we announced this year’s award winners. Congratulations to all our SASSY recipients!
In effort to celebrate campus wide collaboration, DSAS presented SASSYs to the following individuals for their ongoing partnership with and support of the division:
Student Leader of the Year - Egypt Chin
Faculty Partner Award - Flora Lu, Professor, Environmental Studies
Student Affairs Collaborator - Lorato Anderson
DeShonne Keller completes UCSC degree, earns DSAS Teammate of the Year
As a transfer and re-entry student herself, DeShonne earned her BA in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies this June after transferring from Cabrillo College.
DeShonne Keller has demonstrated exceptional dedication to her teammates, going above and beyond to foster a positive, organized, and cohesive work environment for the Services for Transfer Re-Entry and Resilient Scholars (STARRS) team. Over five years, she has managed STARRS finances, core administrative functions, business procedures, and physical spaces with a positive attitude, particularly during significant organizational growth. Her detailed planning enabled a smooth transition from Kresge to Bay Tree, helping create a welcoming space for transfer, re-entry, and independent students. She also curated a personal care pantry, showing responsiveness to student needs. DeShonne’s eagerness to learn and improve processes has led to significant growth in business operations, making her an exceptional employee and a recipient of the 2023-2024 Teammate of the Year Sassy Award. Her positive energy, commitment to excellence, and collaborative spirit have made her an invaluable asset to the division.
CELEBRATING OUR STAFF
Scholarly Contributions and Service
This year, Division of Student Affairs and Success team members made numerous contributions to higher education and student affairs. Through research, evaluation, and praxis, our team is helping to expand the scholarship in our field. Here are some examples of DSAS’s scholarly contributions and service to the community in 2023-2024:
SERVICE TO THE FIELD
Delfín Bautista | AC White House briefing on LGBTQI+ Latinx leaders
Alex Belisario ACUHO-I, Foundation Board Member Historian/Archivist, New Professionals Case Study Competition, WACUHO
Sharon Castro Association of Colleges for Teaching and Learning Assistance, President-Elect | CSU/UC Learning Support
Conference, Committee Member Conference Proposal Reviewer, College Reading and Learning Association
Benedicto Llave | California Council of Cultural Centers in Higher Education, Member at Large
Xiomara Lopez | NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community Executive Board, Leadership Development Co-Chair
Elizabeth Moya | UC Santa Cruz Staff Advisory Board, Board Member
Mirjam Kuusik | UC Santa Cruz Staff Advisory Board, Board Member
Carlos Perez UC Santa Cruz Staff Advisory Board, Board Member
Lucy Rojas | NASPA AVP Steering Committee, Committee Member
Caz Salamanca California Council of Cultural Centers in Higher Education, Board Member
Lea Taddonio UC Santa Cruz Staff Advisory Board, Board Member
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Dani Barker | Bringing it to Life: Storytelling and publications as a Teaching Tool, NASPA Annual Conference and ACPA Annual Conference
Alex Belisario, Dr. Emily Sandoval, Dr. Sunny Lee, Dr. Martha Enciso, Geralyn Williams, and Marcelle Hayashida | The Marvels: Higher Education Leadership by Women of Color, GeekEd, San Diego Comic Con
Alex Belisario and WOW Committee, Cynthia Aranda Cervantes, Maggie Malagon | WOW: Women of WACUHO Supporting Women Panel, WACUHO
John Bollard | An Entrepreneurial Approach to Funding Student Health Services, American College Health Association Annual Meeting
Sharon Castro Brainstorming through Transition - Budget Challenges and Opportunities Brainstorming Session, Association of Colleges for Teaching and Learning Assistance
Natalie Davis | Exploring an SI Mentor-ship Program, 13th International Conference on Supplemental Instruction | Navigating a Tutor Mentor-ship Program, Association of Colleges for Tutoring and Learning Assistance (ACTLA) 49th Conference
Angel Dominguez and Sara Sanchez | Cultivating Holistic Foundations for Graduate Students: The Doctoral Summer Bridge Program at a HSI-R1, NASPA Annual Conference
Mark Gardner Keynote speaker, UC Merced Men of Color Conference
Mai Foua Her and Lo Klauer Transforming Our Collective and Institutional Identities Through Makers’ Market, California Council of Cultural Centers in Higher Education
Benedicto Llave | Facilitator, New Professionals/Entry-level staff roundtable, CaCCCHE
Xiomara Lopez and Jailene Tzintzun Fostering Student Belonging and Identity Development Through Book Clubs” NASPA Annual Conference
Gwendelyn Rivera | Program Staff as Facilitators of Academic Self–Efficacy, Academic Behavioral Change, and Achievement among Low–income, First–Generation, and Minoritized Students, NASPA’s Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice
LeAnna Willis | Identity Exploration Though TTRPGs, National Conference on Race & Ethnicity
Sarah Woodside Bury | “Transcommunal Peace, Cooperation, and Respect for Diversity: A University/Prison Multi-Partnership Approach.” Higher Education and the Carceral State: Transforming Together, University of California Press, 2023, Chapter 11.
