Class of 2022
Computer Science
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Danay, he always helped students with advising and making great plans when stressed or in a dilemma.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
I'd like to thank the people I met for helping me out and making me become a fuller person as I studied in UCSC.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
Having people to study with and getting into chatrooms with peers to study over the questions that maybe uou couldn't conprehend. Social interactions are always a great way to study.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
Getting to hike behind C9/10, its was a great way to destress.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Get used to the campus and try to walk a lot. Always a great way to exercise without it impeding your schedule.
Network and Digital Technology
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
The resources on campus that I believe helped me succeed at UCSC have been EOP, MEP, and SHPE. I have been involved with EOP since I was in highschool and if it weren't for them, I would not have applied or known how to apply to college. They helped me transition from high school to the university. They have been helpful in answering all of my first-gen questions. MEP has assisted me in my academic career here at UCSC by providing me with the resources I need to do well. I utilized academic counseling throughout the years and I have been able to find textbooks for my courses (to save myself some money). They have provided me with the best academic advise during the times I wasn't sure if I would succeed. I have been in SHPE for a little over 3 years. They have helped me develop social and networking skills I needed to communicate with others. They have also helped me jumpstart my career search and have helped me write a good resume.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
My favorite moment is the day I realized that I had satisfied my requirements and I would finally be graduating. After several downs at UCSC, it was the best feeling knowing that I was still able to succeed.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
If you fail, it is OKAY. Failures are the obstacles you deal with in life. If you fail a class but you tried your best, that is all that matters. You learn a lot about yourself and what your'e doing when you fail. You get to make the next choice after this and that is to either try again and not let the failing defy your educational growth or you can choose to change your career path to do something you feel great at doing (there are also other choices you can make).
Network and Digital Technology
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
Favorite moment would be not giving up at my worst but to continue working harder.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Keep moving forward even when you are not sure.
Computer Science
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Jen really took me in as a transfer student and made me feel welcomed.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
My mom, dad, brother, and sisters.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Take it day by day.
Computer Science
Computer Science
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
David Harrison helped me realize my potential.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
My mom and brother.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
EOP, MEP, and Baskin Engineering.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
My favorite moment is walking through the bridges after finals week, as everything feels better and things are looking up.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Start homework and projects early. TAs are your friends; they want you to succeed. If you fail, try again and never give up.
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Dr. Roberto Manduchi was the first professor I had as an undergrad at UCSC. His enthusiasm for teaching and his passion for his students helped me feel both prepared and welcome at UCSC.
Dr. Doug Kellogg is a loved faculty professor who fully supports and advocates for diversity in STEM. I learned from his wisdom and patience to succeed as an undergraduate researcher.
Mrs. Yuliana Ortega has been mentoring me since I transferred to UCSC and she always makes time from her busy schedule to meet with students. She is a great role model.
Jennifer Wood is also a great counselor and advocate for students in STEM. Jen is always finding ways to motivate and engage students with their academics. I feel grateful to have her on my team.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
The first resource I relied on as a transfer student was the STARS department. They helped me get settled and familiarized with the campus. The MEP and STEM Diversity programs helped me to connect with my peers while building a community. The EOP made sure that I always had access to the resources that first-generation students need.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
Playing soccer at OPERS in the mornings. Astonishing views of the bay on a warm day while doing sports before heading to the lab or a class just makes your day.
Computer Engineering
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Yang Liu - Really smart professor of Machine Learning, wrote me a letter of recommendation even though I'm just an undergraduate.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
James Quiaoit, he's a friend of mine who's always been around, only person I've kept contact with over all 4 years.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
MSI/SGT. Saved me from failing so many classes. Mainly SGT. Please never stop offering these services.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Never get complacent. The school can and always should do better and take care of its students. Speak up or fall down.
Electrical Engineering
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Professor Nobby, Jen and Wassila George were crucial and I couldn't have graduated without them. I owe a lot to professor Nobby for allowing me the opportunity to work with his lab group and write a thesis on their research. Jen and Wassila have been extremely valuable in pointing me to resources and keeping me focused on outlining strong goals and committing to achieving them.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
MEP has been the most valuable organization and resource for me. The connections that I've made, although not many, have elevated me and helped me get to where I needed to be and I couldn't have gotten to where I am without them.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Make yourself present and don't disappear. Go to office hours, talk to mentors, and ask questions no matter how dumb they may seem. It's impossible to fail when you try and apply yourself and your professors and TA's will notice.
Computer Science
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish, Be Grateful, Keep Healthy, Set Goals, Finish Strong!
Computer Engineering
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Jen Wood. She introduced me to MEP and has always been kind and generous with her time.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
Jiewn Li and Miguel Tamayo.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
MEP offered me a place where I can study and meet people.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
Being a Goblin in my room working on CSE 100 labs during quarantine.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Find group of student who have similar goals and build relationships.
Computer Engineering
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Jennifer Wood is one of the main reasons I am still an engineer, you encouragement means the world. Danay is also one of the best people!
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
I would like to thank my mother Maria for inspiring to be strong and resilient, my sister Rosita for slapping some sense into me whenever I doubt myself, and my father for teaching me that I should not fear hard work.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
MEP, LSS, MSI, CAPC, ERC, and advising.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
Walking into my first SHPE meeting and for the first time in my life, seeing a room full of Latinx Women Engineers.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
People can do hard things.
Biomolecular Engineering
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
All BMEB faculties were super amazing! Special acknowledgement to: Drs Hugh Olsen, David Bernick, Mark Akeson, and Nader Pourmand for taking turns in advising me and my teams' Senior Capstone Project and lending us their expertise...and expensive reagents/materials.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
I would like to thank Jennifer for always answering my annoying questions about academic and career related questions. Thank you for FAFSA for giving me money to pursue my education!
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
ACE was extremely helpful in keeping me on track and providing me with extra course assistance for the lower-division STEM courses. Go to the TAs' sections to ask questions, they are often more amiable and less intimidating than the Professors.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
A lot of great moments. But for some reason, the memory that is replaying in my head right now is one time that me and my roommates heard a couple fighting outside RCC apartments at 2AM so all jumped out of bed, opened the window, and started watching the argument.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Have fun and try to experience activities outside of your comfort zone but be safe! Be eager and don't wait in joining exciting opportunities (i.e., clubs, research, internships, and/or any academically-related programs that you're interested in).
Computer Engineering
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Tracy Larrabee is one of my all-time favorite professors. She not only is one of the funniest and most intuitive professors, but also she’s the reason I got my job at Learning Support Services that I’ve had for 2 years! I owe her so much praise. She’s overall been a huge motivator for me and there’s not a day that goes by that where I’m not thankful for what she’s done for me.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
I would like to thank my family for always believing me as well as my friends for supporting me and keeping me sane throughout my 4 years of college (and even before then)!
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
MEP definitely connected me with some friends that ended up spreading into my D&D friend group that I know and love today, so I definitely have them to thank for helping me form a support network at college right from the get go!
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
One of my favorite moments definitely has to be suiting up on Halloween and roaming around campus giving out candy to random students. It was so much fun and I loved seeing people’s reactions when they saw I was reverse trick-or-treating on campus!
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Don’t overwork yourself! You’ve still got 4-5 years to go, so take it one step at a time! Take breaks, hang out with friends, don’t take on too much at once!
Computer Science
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Danay and Jen - consistently supportive and helpful through 4 tough years.
Technology and Information Management
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you? Please name them and briefly tell us why. You can name multiple people.
Jennifer Wood and Danay Weldegabriel have supported me for the past three years of undergrad. They gave me their unconditional support which really helped me find my place in Baskin and succeed in my classes. I am and will forever be thankful.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank!
I would like to thank my family, friends, and professors for supporting my journey here and for all the guidance that everyone has offered me.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
The years before COVID were some of my favorite times and I believe truly encompassed what a college journey is about. I was able to grow, be challenged, and make some lifelong friends.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Don't be afraid of the unknown, if you don't know your path yet that's ok; you will carve your path as you go.
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Science
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
I found LSS and ACE to be particularly helpful. After participating in either small group tutoring from LSS or problem solving sessions from ACE, I found that the increased exposure to course content allowed me to not only remember concepts better, but the active learning components of the tutoring sessions allowed me to apply my knowledge. It is important that these resources are offered for students, especially those of us from underrepresented backgrounds. Tutoring sessions allowed me to build community outside of big lectures. Once I could identify familiar faces in my lectures, I began to feel comfortable.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Get involved in any way possible! In my own experience, I got involved in the Baskin Engineering community later than I should have, and because of that, there were resources and connections I missed out on. From your first quarter here, there are lots of organizations and clubs that provide resources to students from many backgrounds, and for students that have all kinds of interests. You're going to want to meet the people here (they're really nice, I promise). It's important to build a network of students, and to get to know your professors.
Computer Science
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
I would like to thank my friends, family, God, and everyone who has helped me along the way.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
MEP/MESA, BSoE Peer Advising, AARC, LSS, MSI, EOP, BEES, and the homies.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
I could fill a book with all my favorite moments.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Be unapologetically you and be kind.
Computer Science
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Jen 100%.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
The crew at Acquisitions Inc, and of course my family and my mommo.
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
Textbook rental at MEP.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
Staying up until 4am coding Shopping Cart, and then playing a horror themed Dungeons and Dragons right after.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Use MEP, study hard, and YOU CAN DO THIS. All these classes are passable, I promise.
Computer Engineering
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
- Jen: Self explanatory! Jen has helped with personal and school issues, and is just a great person that lends an ear during hard times. Amazing and funny person who has shown so much support for everyone at MEP who needs it.
- Professor Scott Beamer: First professor I worked directly with as I tutored for CSE 100. He is a really supportive teacher who has helped me in some academic hurdles I have faced during my time at UC Santa Cruz.
- Aviv Elor (I think he's staff since he's lecturing for mech this quarter): Helped me get into research and overall great mentor for me at UC Santa Cruz
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
My friends and mentors at MEP that have helped me pick out classes with the right professors, land internships, a full-time job after college on top of fun study sessions in MEP. My friends, family, and boyfriend for supporting and believing in me throughout my college experience
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
MEP: Helped get me a lot of opportunities in college that range from jobs and research opportunities on campus, as well as internships and jobs in industry. Also helped a lot with mental support in college, and other academic resources and connections. If there is an amenity in MEP that exists, I probably have used it at some point in my college career.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
One of my favorite moments was when I got my final check off in mechatronics. At this point my team and I were hoping to get lucky and it felt euphoric to have accomplished this huge and intimidating project. The professor treats all the students out for drinks after the competition and a beer never tasted better in that moment when we finally cheers the end of a truly one of a kind experience!
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
- Use all the resources you can (MEP, ACE, etc.)! Even if you don't think you need it, it's a great way to have a structured studying style + midterm and final reviews and practice tests that aren't usually accessible.
- Focus more on learning the material than your grade, or taking the class with an "easy A" professor. The rest of your classes will be much more difficult if you don't have a strong foundation to build all of that knowledge on, and you wouldn't be doing yourself a favor by taking shortcuts.
- Make friends, try new things, get out of your comfort zone even if you really don't want to and regret nothing.
Computer Science
Is there a faculty or staff person who made a difference for you?
Eric Xie Wang helped me in research lab and gaining experience.
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
Eric Xie Wang, Jen, Pascale, and classmates who helped me alone the way
Getting to graduation isn't easy. Are there any resources on campus that helped you make it this far? How so?
MEP: resume building and counseling
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
Trying to put the most of it.
Any advice for students starting in Fall 2022?
Good luck and enjoy the time here!
Computer Engineering
We know that this journey has been long. Please tell us about anyone you'd like to thank.
This journey has been difficult, if it was not for the support of my family I would not have been able to reach my goals. My parents have always been supportive of my education and would support me from home while I was in Santa Cruz.
College has its ups and downs. Would you share with us a favorite moment?
My favorite moment would be when I finally declared. I had applied to declare my sophomore year which was rejected after my appeal. In my third year, I re-applied with the intention to declare Computer Engineering. Finally in Fall of 2021, I was officially declared as Computer Engineering after all the time of struggle. It was a weight off my shoulder to know that it was official.