News & Updates
Stay connected with all things UCSC Kresge College. From celebrating our students’ achievements and sharing exciting campus events to honoring our rich traditions and vibrant community stories, discover what’s happening throughout our Kresge College family.
Kresge
Rooted in education, expanding opportunity
Inspired by a shared love of learning and a family of educators, alumnus Roger Koopmann (Stevenson ’80, economics) and his late husband, Tom Bullen (Ph.D. ’86, Earth sciences), established scholarships that give UC Santa Cruz students the chance to pursue research and study abroad experiences.
Kresge
UC Santa Cruz Alumnus Marty O’Reilly takes the stage on The Voice
Marty O’Reilly (Kresge ’12, environmental studies) turned three out of four judges’ chairs during The Voice blind auditions.
College Nine, Cowell, Crown
Colleges advising hubs launch in fall 2025
Each hub will serve two colleges, expanding availability and connecting students with coordinated support from professional and peer advisors.
Kresge
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Ciara Bolt at UC San Francisco and Natera
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ciara Bolt (Kresge ’24, molecular, cell and developmental biology) worked as a Junior Specialist in the Sil Lab at UC San Francisco and now holds a position as a research associate at Natera, a global leader in cell-free DNA testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health.
Kresge
UC Santa Cruz alumni leading local nonprofits: Pie Ranch
Many local nonprofits have roots that trace back to UC Santa Cruz alumni, who played pivotal roles in launching and shaping their missions. Alumnus Jered Lawson (Kresge ’92, community studies) co-founded Pie Ranch in 2005 and played a key role in launching UC Santa Cruz’s and the Homeless Garden Project’s Community Support Agriculture (CSA) programs in the ’90s.
Kresge
Alumna Reyna Grande named to Kirkus Reviews’ list of best books of the 21st century
Grande’s memoir, ‘A Dream Called Home’, chronicles Grande’s journey to UC Santa Cruz and becoming a best-selling author
College Nine, Cowell, Crown
UC Santa Cruz colleges awarded planning grant from Teagle Foundation
The UC Santa Cruz colleges have been awarded a $25,000 planning grant from the Teagle Foundation to enhance liberal education for all students using equity-minded, high-impact practices. Specifically, the project will develop a common reading list of transformative texts and common experiences that all UC Santa Cruz first-year students will share.
Construction Updates, Activities and Impacts
May 6, 2025
REMINDER: Kresge is home to an active construction site. For the safety of all individuals unauthorized individuals need to stay out of the fenced off areas.
Phase I
Res. Halls and Academic Building:
- Complete (Some warranty items still in process)
Kresge Project Phase II
Typical work schedule is 8 am – 4 pm M-F.
After hours and weekend work is expected throughout the course of construction. Every measure is being taken to minimize the noise levels on the work site for after hours and weekend work. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding while we improve the campus and the community.
Site work
- Kresge L building –Some grading and piers installed. Most work will be at tail-end of the project
- Utilities Install Ongoing
- Design layout adjustments for final design is complete
- Storm water pollution prevention {SWPP) measures are in place and holding
Phase II will encompass the renovation, rebuild and/or demolition of existing buildings at Kresge College Proper. Phase II is scheduled to be fully completed by Fall 2026. Some spaces may come on line earlier when possible.
Buildings to be renovated
A1 –
- Wall assembly taking place
- New windows to be installed soon
- Exterior improvements ongoing
R12 –
- Minor repair work ongoing
R13 –
- Minor repair work ongoing
G2 –
- New elevator cab under construction
- Interior framing nearly complete
- New roofing coming soon
A2 –
- Interior framing nearly complete
- Rough-in utilities taking place
- Exterior envelope underway.
Buildings to be rebuilt
Apartment Buildings R1, R2, R4, R6, RB and R9
- Foundations poured (R4 through R10)
- Exterior wall construction (R4, R6)
- Interior rough in utilities (R4, R6) ,
New construction
L Building –
- Some grading work complete. Some piers poured
Town Hall, public lounge and public gender-neutral restrooms
Work will begin later in the project sequence