Alumni

Alumni profiles, news bites and insights both from and about the UC Santa Barbara Alumni Association foster a strong sense of connection and Gaucho pride.

Issue Name
Spring / Summer 2025

three surfers sitting on a bluff looking at the sunset

To educate, to support — and to surf

College friends bring SB vibes to southern Indonesia with LMBK Surf House
Lake Tahoe

We love you, Lake Tahoe

Meet five Gauchos who are leveraging their expertise — and their UCSB education — to protect one of the nation’s most iconic alpine lakes
Cameron Alexander with cap on looking at the mountains

Conquering the celluloid ‘Beast’

Screenwriter and alum Cameron Alexander breaks into Hollywood in a big way

Issue Name
Fall / Winter 2024

Julian Marc

From doubts to dreams

A love for science and a drive to help others spark success for Julian Marc ’21
Jesse Landesman

Room to Grow

Securing a prestigious fellowship, doctoral student Jesse Landesman cultivates a career where academia meets avocados
Bicycle

Priority Bicycles

From crowdfunded to crowd favorite
top scrivener headshot tryptych

The affable, indefatigable, endlessly curious Tom Scrivener ’93

Gorillaz AR screenshot

Redefining immersive experiences through XR and AI

Issue Name
Spring / Summer 2024

Blood on All Our Hands book cover

George Thurlow '73

In a new memoir, the former assistant vice chancellor of alumni affairs revisits his harrowing experience as a young American reporter on assignment in war-ravaged El Salvador
Sanaz Toossi and Nathan Thrall

Two alums, two years, two Pulitzers

A year after Sanaz Toossi ‘13 won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, Nathan Thrall ’00 wins the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction
chi foods lettuce cup

Putting the plant back in plant-based

Tucker Garrison ’11 and Philip Matthew Richardson ’13, partners in business and in life, are superfood enthusiasts on a mission
Maya Rupert against a gold wall

The accidental, and optimistic, political strategist

Lawyer turned sought after campaign manager Maya Rupert ’03 brings the hope in her uplifting political podcast, “When We Win”
Bridget Kyeremateng

Sharing her story, and her voice

Bridget Kyeremateng ’17 landed on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 Marketing & Advertising list for 2024, and gave her first TedX talk, “How I Found My Voice as An Undocumented Immigrant,” bringing her back, full circle, to her upbringing and to her love and skill for speaking

Issue Name
Fall / Winter 2023

Kasey Clelland

‘Exercise is a gift that we give to our bodies’

Kasey (Wittstrom ’05) Clelland wants you to keep moving
Jose Hernandez

José Hernández ’86

A role model for persistence in the face of adversity
Lariza Johnson

Lariza Johnson ’10

A champion for care, access and straight-up hard work
donuts on display at Hook & Press

The Magic of Fried Dough

Modern entrepreneurs Denisse Salinas ’03 and John Burnett uplift the donut
women with arms raised together

Better Together

Sisters Sara Tanza ’06 and Melissa McConville ’07 couldn’t find a fun and inclusive race, so they created one. This year, 9,000 people will run their She.is.Beautiful events

Issue Name
Spring / Summer 2023

Jada Alexander at Campus Point in a wetsuit

Water Warrior

Jada Alexander aims to inspire and increase educational opportunities for marine research
Sumo wrestlers try to lift each other

Sumo Size Me

Andrew Freund ’90 makes an international career out of an uncommon interest: sumo
Vanessa Valdivia outdoor portrait

Vanessa Valdivia '10

An honor of a lifetime
Luther Richmond

Luther Richmond '07

Guiding the next generation of Gauchos
Miguel Pupo flying through the air on a surfboard

Wave Runners

Mechanical engineers Bruce ’81 ’82 and Marie ’80 McFarland use technology to create the perfect surf
Liz Montaño portrait

A Sports Pro

Team executive Liz Montaño M.A. ’03 offers career advice from the front office
Startup Roundup graphic

Startup Roundup

Gauchos building businesses of all types and sizes
Portriat of Jena Pruitt on orange background

Zone of Genius

Creative director Jena Dominique Pruitt ’14 makes a case for world travel and self-exploration in her quest for success

Issue Name
Fall / Winter 2022

Jazmín Aguilera ’11

Gauchos Making Noise

Alum success in books, media, and law
Roland Ros '04 / Courtesy photo

Championing Filipino Voices

Roland Ros starts online platform for Gen Z and millennial Filipinos
Jennie Romer

Plastic Pollution Opponent

Jennie Romer is passionate about protecting the environment
group of paddlers in the ocean

The Friendship Paddle

Every year, a giving group paddleboards across the Channel, raising funds and spirits for friends in need
LoaCom team

Cause-based Communications

LoaCom - Cause-based communications for people and the planet
Giovanna Gonzalez

First-Gen Mentor

Giovanna Gonzalez helps her peers build wealth
Celine Mol

Progress Over Perfection

Celine Mol works to stimulate a circular economy by way of resale
Pam Lopker

Journeying On

Tech visionary Pamela Lopker keeps her eyes on the horizon
Alumni awards reception

Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards honor remarkable individuals and their achievements

Issue Name
Spring / Summer 2022

Yvett Merino

The Road to Discovery

Her post-college path unclear, Yvett Merino kept taking her next right step — and ended up with an Academy Award.
Nina Bouzamondo-Bernstein

Access for All

Undergraduate student Nina Bouzamondo-Bernstein champions inclusion and equity with her nonprofit, Pre-Health Shadowing.
Molly Forester

Listening to Learn

Four years after graduating, journalist Molly Forster is winning awards — and thanking her alma mater for making it possible.
Aila Malik

Presidential Perspectives

Aila Malik, a 2022 Presidential Leadership Scholar, focuses on the nonprofit sector in her drive to create change.
Bo Hu Illustration

The Circle of Innovation

Fueled by a passion for health and a desire to help others, Bo Hu creates a smart home fitness device.
candied almonds

Black Bow Sweets

Stylish Nuts for Every Occasion Lisa Wojcik mastered her mom’s specialty recipe as a kid; now she’s building a business with it.
Locket app on phone

Locket Camera

Matt Moss gives the gift of an image to his girlfriend, then to the world, by way of his viral app.
Bianca Valenti riding a huge wave at Mavericks

Bianca Valenti

Fighting for equity, representation — and really big waves — is all in a day’s work for this pro surfer and activist.
Audrey (Russakov '92) Weitz

Sensible Investing

Audrey Weitz matches investors with unique opportunities, and champions finance as a rewarding career for women.

Issue Name
Fall / Winter 2021

Emma Rose Cohen and a reusable straw

Bright Spots

From innovations in reusable straws to passing on a love of music to children in underserved communities, these Gauchos are paying it forward in ways that make us proud.
Dart Coffee owners Erika (Marie Carter ’01) Dart and Dr. David Dart ’71, MA ’72

Startup Spotlight

Fueled by a passion for entrepreneurship, the founders of Dart Coffee, Sun & Swell, BranchOut Parks and Watermelon Apparel share their stories.
Marco Pinter

Gaucho Creators & Authors

From artists to authors and poets to podcasters, the creative spark is alive and thriving in these UC Santa Barbara grads.
Two models wear Della terra sustainable shoes

Newsmakers and Milestones

Spotlighting alumni achievers in the worlds of eco-chic fashion, national politics, athletics, public service, entertainment, astronauts and more.
Architect Ken Radtkey ’83 stands atop the green roof at Coyote House, a LEED Platinum residential design

Simply Sustainable

Architect Ken Radtkey ’83 shares some ideas for making your home more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
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