One of the primary goals of UCSC Community Connections is to provide educational opportunities for local high school students entering UCSC and continuing re-entry students through scholarships and academic support.
Garden tours, phantom tea parties, art and silent auctions, chocolate festivals, membership dues and individual donations are some of the ways funds have been raised over the years.
Through these efforts since 1976, the former Women’s Club assisted older students for whom studies in their chosen field may be an unattainable dream. Over the past 46 years, the Women’s Club has awarded 526 scholarships for a total of $453,151 for research activities, tuition, and childcare.
The former Affiliates began awarding scholarships in 1991. Over the ensuing 30 years, 62 awards have been made for a total of $230,242 to students entering from Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito counties. These scholarships have encouraged success for local students.
Scholarship monies given to students come from two sources: money raised directly to be awarded for scholarships and money that is interest income from our endowment. While we continue to raise money for both direct scholarships and to invest into the endowment, our current effort is to increase the endowment to ensure our scholarship program for future generations.
Meet the 2025 Scholarship Recipients
17 graduate scholars received scholarships from the Rita Olsen Pister Endowment for Re-entry Students
Mariam Ayad is a graduate student pursuing a degree in Ocean Sciences. Mariam is an accomplished scholar, and has two Associate’s degrees, a Bachelor’s degree in Earth System Science, a M.S in Environmental Science, and has been awarded a NASA graduate fellowship and scholarship. This NASA fellowship was critical in helping her jumpstart her research. This research, titled: “Detection and Analysis of Coral Stressors in Florida Keys and Belize Barrier Reef using Remote Sensing Imagery” focuses on identifying high-risk areas that are contributing to coral reef bleaching or inhibiting coral growth. As a first-generation student with Hispanic and Native American heritage, Mariam has often faced difficulties throughout her education due to lack of resources and guidance from those around her. Mariam is very thankful for this award that she will utilize to help fund her trip to Scotland for the Ocean Science Geophysical Conference, at which she will present her research findings.
Kathryn Bernier is a graduate student pursuing her Doctorate degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Kathryn’s research focuses on the Brown Capped Rosy Finch. The first chapter of her dissertation is already being recognized as an official report in the field by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Agency. Kathryn is passionate about wildlife conservation work on an international scale that considers both the protection of wildlife and the financial and cultural stability of the surrounding communities. Kathryn hopes to teach at the collegiate level post UCSC and to share her passion regarding conservation work with future generations. Kathryn will utilize her Community Connections award to pay for the cost of childcare for her two children so that she can continue her path of academic excellence.
Jenna Contuchio is a first generation, non-traditional student who is in her second year of a PhD program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, with a focused emphasis on Coastal Science and Policy. Jenna hopes that this program will enable her with the tools needed to aid in conservation management strategies and to help create policies that can mitigate threats to marine animals. Jenna will be utilizing the funds from this scholarship to do research on sea turtle hatchlings in Antigua, as well as to provide training for the Ministry of Fisheries.
Jordan Diaz is studying Astronomy and Astrophysics at UCSC. Through his work, Jordan aims to contribute to the advancement and development of technologies for telescopes that will bestow us with new views of the Universe. With this funding, he hopes to develop an instrument based on photonic components to explore the feasibility of using these technologies to suppress starlight, a major challenge in direct imaging of exoplanets. Jordan hopes to be able to eventually contribute to the development of new telescopes so that he can leave his mark on the world of astronomy.
Yannong He is currently pursuing a doctorate at UCSC in Politics. Yannong’s research focuses on how developing countries can reverse brain drain and provide practical insight for policymakers and government officials on effective and good governance. Yannong needs one last quarter to finalize the program. The funding from Community Connections will allow Yannong to pay for that last course. After graduation, Yannong hopes to become a professor to empower the next generation of scholars with knowledge.
Victoria Hermanson is pursuing a degree in Ocean Sciences at UC Santa Cruz. Victoria decided to pursue a doctorate after a successful professional career as a Biologist with organizations such as NOAA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Here at UCSC, Victoria researches seabirds, focusing on the analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution of seabird species in relation to a changing climate on the Peninsula of Western Antarctica. Victoria will use the funds of this scholarship to help pay for her tuition costs for the upcoming quarter.
shah noor Hussein is a doctoral student at UC Santa Cruz studying anthropology with a designated emphasis in Critical Race & Ethnic Studies. Shah researches Sudanese dance, music, and pop culture, focusing on the genre Aghani Al Banat, which is made up of songs written by and sung for women. With her research, Shah is interested in taking a deeper look at the role of women’s music and cultural production in shifting narrative identities in race, gender, and national identity while in exile. The Community Connections scholarship will help Shah present a chapter of her dissertation at the Association of Black Anthropologists Conference later this year. After graduation, Shah hopes to find a post-doctoral position in which she can develop teaching curriculum for undergraduates.
Alissa Lance Byrne is a graduate student pursuing a degree in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. Her research focuses on genetic adaptations that enable microbial populations to thrive under extreme conditions. Prior to her time at UCSC, Alissa was a GED program instructor, who was inspired to return to school after watching many of her students pursue their dreams and aspirations. Since she decided to return to academia, Alissa has received numerous awards and has done research with the NASA Ames Research Center, a feat which she thought would never be possible, as someone who grew up thinking the sciences were not for her. With this award, Alissa will pay for childcare costs so that she can have the time to continue working on her research.
Yoonkyung Lim is studying Film and Digital Media. Her studies focus on feminist media and community art. This summer, Yoonkyung hopes to bring her skills in community art to UCSC through her research project: Art as Translation: Translating and Reconstructing the Jeju Language. With this project, participants will explore themes of language endangerment, identity, and cultural preservation by collecting oral recipes from Jeju language speakers and then participating in a multi-channel video installation where the seaweed soup is then made. Yoonkyung hopes that through experiences like these, one can create relatable community experiences that make space for people from all different backgrounds and cultures. The funds from the Community Collections scholarship will be helpful in making that hope happen.
Nathan McGregor is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Nathan’s research centers on two themes: the interior dynamics of rocky planets, particularly Venus, and the relationship between planetary composition and outgassed atmospheres. Nathan is highly involved on campus and in the community, working as a research mentor for undergraduates and giving talks and workshops to local high school youth. Nathan is also very involved in academic research, working on global collaborations with universities in Switzerland and Japan. Nathan will utilize this award to help him travel to present this cutting-edge research at the Gordon Research Conference, the American Geophysical Union, as well as the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
Jenica Moore is pursuing a doctorate in Politics at UCSC. Jenica’s research focuses on investigating the political participation of often ignored and marginalized groups, such as women, refugees, and immigrants. Jenica hopes to aim to contribute to policy discussions that promote a more inclusive and equitable society by studying structural and social barriers that shape political engagement. After the completion of her program, Jenica hopes to become a professor at a university or at a community college. With the Community Connections scholarship, Jenica will be purchasing a laptop and software so that she can engage in research and data analysis.
Sushmita Poudel is a graduate student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCSC. Sushmita recently became a mother and will be utilizing the Community Connections award to help fund childcare. This funding is critical so that Sushmita can have the time that is needed to continue her research and her degree. Sushmita’s research investigates drought adaptations and how that differs across different ecotypes of blue oaks across California. This research is timely as it will help scientists make decisions about attempting to mesh ecosystems amid climate change. Sushmita thanks the donors for all the continuous financial support towards her degree throughout the years.
Arianna Rodriguez is a graduate student pursuing a doctorate in the Education Department. She researches popular education in Argentina and how their policies and practices impact disabled students and access to education. With this research, she aims to increase the scholarship of how western education policies implemented in Latin America are impacting disabled Black and Brown students. Arianna’s main objective after graduation is to become a researcher and policy analyst with an international nonprofit to be able to better serve these communities in Latin America. Arianna will utilize the funding from this scholarship to conduct pilot research for her dissertation, hoping to work with grassroots organizations over the summer and following academic year.
Laura Rodriguez-Velandia is a graduate student pursuing her degree in Chemistry. Her research interests focus on how small metabolites produced by organisms like bacteria can be harnessed to treat diseases such as cancer. Currently, she is working on exploring largely unexplored microbiota associated with the mucus of banana slugs, in hopes that this could have a significant impact on medical applications. Laura was in the midst of synthesizing this data, but her laptop was unfortunately stolen. Laura will be utilizing the Community Connections award to purchase a new laptop so she can continue making progress with her research.
Adriane Stoia is currently pursuing a PhD in History. Adriane’s research aims to study women of the Okinawan diaspora through Yuntaku or, ‘talk story.’ Through this study, Adriane wants to uncover how Japanese policies and practices post WWII influenced what areas Okinawan women would then immigrate to, taking a specific look at visas denied women who had traditional Okinawan tattoos that were banned post annexation. With this funding, Adriane plans to interview some of the last fluent speakers of Uchinaaguchi, the indigenous language of the Ryukyus, to learn more about these topics that are so instrumental to her research.
Kevin Weatherwax is a PhD Candidate pursuing his degree in Computational Media at UCSC. His research centers on how neurodivergent people use background media in their work and study habits. This research is part of a broader initiative to challenge conventional assumptions about productivity and cognitive engagement, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. After graduation, Kevin aims to get a job in academia or in industry research, in which he can then have direct influence on the design of assistive and inclusive technology for neurodivergent individuals. With this scholarship, Kevin will be able to pay for his child’s summer camp fee, so that he can focus on finishing his degree.
Samira Yitiz is currently working towards her doctorate in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. Samira is conducting research on novel small peptides that can influence inflammation, and she is also pursuing an independent project to identify long non-coding RNAs that may regulate inflammatory pathways. After graduating with her PhD, Samira would like to work in industry as a principal investigator leading a team to research inflammatory diseases to improve human health. With this award, Samira will join the Cytokine Society and attend the annual conference. Samira will also be able to purchase reagents and analytical tools for macrophage differentiation so that she can complete a project and then publish her first-author publication.
11 Santa Cruz County high school students received funds from the UCSC Affiliates’ Endowment in the fall of 2025 to attend UCSC
- Osvaldo Bello-Molinero
- Jodesie Bernal
- Dayna Corova-Uribe
- Gibran Garcia Lepez
- Estrella Jasso-Aparicio
- Emilio Lara
- Angel Maravilla
- Emily Orozco Bermudez
- Divina Trujillo
- Raul Yanez
- Valerie Yebra