1+ mon, 3+ week ago (798+ words) As an outreach specialist with UC Santa Cruz's Underground Scholars Program, Sammy Chavez (Rachel Carson '25, Latin American and Latino studies and sociology) supports students navigating complex challenges in higher education. While completing his own degree, he was recognized with the Silver Slug Scholarship as a staff member pursuing his studies. Samuel "Sammy" Chavez (Rachel Carson '25, Latin American and Latino studies and sociology) Samuel "Sammy" Chavez took long walks among the UC Santa Cruz redwoods long before he was a student at the university. He remembers the sometimes short, sometimes long drives from Watsonville, on his way to see his family. His mom, aunt, uncle, and grandfather all worked in the custodial department on campus." "I remember visiting my aunt at Hahn and having some great memories of UC Santa Cruz, walking around the forest," Chavez said. "But it never really…...

6+ day, 5+ hour ago (834+ words) Santa Cruz Long Term Recovery Group Executive Director Tonje Switzer (Oakes "16, sociology) was awarded the Mountain Affair"s Green Heart Award in October. UC Santa Cruz alumna and Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Long Term Recovery Group Tonje Switzer (Oakes "16, sociology) was awarded the Mountain Affair"s Green Heart Award in October, for her resilience, generosity, bravery, and community leadership following the CZU Complex Fire." "It"s such an honor to receive that award," Switzer said. "The award is specifically geared towards someone who"s made a difference in people"s lives, and it"s a deep honor to be recognized in that way." Five years ago, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire tore through the Santa Cruz Mountains, scorching 80,000 acres and destroying 1,450 structures. One of the most devastating natural disasters in the county"s history, it left hundreds of…...

5+ mon, 2+ week ago (412+ words) With numerous organizational leadership experiences under his belt, UCSC student Sa'l Ordaz is ready to tackle life beyond the redwoods Sa'l Ordaz (Oakes "25, sociology and Spanish) chose to attend UC Santa Cruz for many reasons: its proximity to home, its large but intimate education style, program offerings, and its commitment to being a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Now, as he approaches graduation, Ordaz feels equipped to tackle what comes next thanks to the wealth of experience he gained at UC Santa Cruz." Throughout his time at UCSC, Ordaz was involved with various organizations and programs. Some include the Chicanx/Latinx Resource Center (El Centro), Chicanx & Latin" Educ'ndose (ChALE), the Center for Economic Justice and Action (CEJA), the HSI CULTURA Grant Development Committee, the Koret Research Program, and was a Neighborhood Assistant (NA) for Oakes College." These opportunities not only deepened…...