Institute Staff
![Chris Benner](https://live-ucsc-transform.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2-25-20-iST-staff-CL-26-scaled-e1586887618662-800x800.jpg)
Chris Benner
Faculty Director andProfessor of Environmental Studies and Sociology
530-574-7585
cbenner@ucsc.edu
![Vicente Vega](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Vicente-Vega-800x800.jpg)
Vicente Vega
Administrative Research Coordinator,Institute for Social Transformation and
Center for Labor and Community
vvega@ucsc.edu
![Jessica De La Cruz](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Jessica-De-La-Cruz-800x800.jpg)
Jessica De La Cruz
Administrative Research Coordinator,UCSC California Climate Action Grants
jesdelac@ucsc.edu
![Erika Katske](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Erika-Katske-800x800.jpg)
Erika Katske
Training Coordinator,Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI)
ekatske@ucsc.edu
![Allison Arteaga Soergel](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Allison-Arteaga-Soergel.jpeg)
Allison Arteaga Soergel
Associate Director of Communications and Marketing, Division of Social SciencesFor media inquires contact: asoergel@ucsc.edu
![](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screen-Shot-2023-08-29-at-11.42.16-AM-800x800.png)
Haben Alazar
Marketing & CommunicationsChancellor’s Undergraduate Intern (CUIP)
Business Management Economics major
Technology Information Management minor
![](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Linkedin-photo.jpeg)
Grace Nilsen
Marketing & CommunicationsChancellor’s Undergraduate Intern (CUIP)
Legal Studies and Philosophy double major
Executive Board
![Jorge Menna Barreto](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/jorgemb-e1720718445763-300x300.jpg)
Jorge Menna Barreto
Assistant Professor, Art DepartmentEnvironmental Art + Social Practice MFA
jomebarr@ucsc.edu
![Audrie Lin](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Audrie_Lin_photo-e1720718746875-425x375.jpg)
Audrie Lin
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicologyaudrielin@ucsc.edu
![](https://transform.ucsc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/blank-profile-picture-973460_1280-300x300.png)