
Through groundbreaking initiatives, we are cultivating transformative interdisciplinary research and empowering equitable student success, enabling our campus to advance environmental and social justice in California and across the globe.
See how we are funding transformative scholarship, empowering student changemakers, and bolstering impact capacity for public benefit.

Gathering for Change Gala
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Gathering for Change Gala, where we invite the community to come learn about and celebrate the unwavering power of collective action for building a better future, even in uncertain times. During this event, you’ll mingle with changemakers and visionaries affiliated with the UC Santa Cruz Institute for Social Transformation and with other like-minded individuals from across our region who are continuing to fight for positive change.
We’ll also be honoring our founding Faculty Director, Professor Chris Benner, who has been instrumental in building the long term vision of the institute, and we’ll introduce you to our incoming Faculty Director, Professor Galina Hale, who will boldly lead us into the future.
Join our mailing list to learn more about new opportunities to get involved, recent publications, events + more!
Transforming Futures: Internship Scholarship
The Institute for Social Transformation is excited to offer an internship scholarship program called Transforming Futures. The goal of the program is to open up opportunities and remove financial barriers for first-generation, underrepresented, undocumented, and low-income students at UC Santa Cruz so they can participate in career-advancing summer internships off campus.
Scholarships up to $8,000, depending on financial need
Applications due May 1, 2025
