Alumni
Oakes alumni carry our mission of social justice and community beyond UC Santa Cruz. They are leaders in many fields and continue to support the college through programs, courses, and scholarships that benefit future generations.
Alumni of Oakes College carry our mission and values beyond UCSC and continue to influence the world, the local community, and the college itself. Our distinguished alumni include authors, professors, doctors, veterinarians, policy makers, activists, research scientists, TV writers, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and artists. In addition to their professional and volunteer accomplishments, our alumni have made significant contributions to Oakes, thus ensuring continuing innovation and growth at the college. In recent years, for instance, alumni donations have led to the development of several college courses, including “Gays and Lesbians in the United States,” “Re/Presenting Identity,” “Rainbow Theater Cultural Studies,” and “Performance Based Techniques for Social Transformation.” Alumni contributions have also provided important support for a wide range of college programs and scholarships that help traditionally underrepresented students succeed at UCSC.
We invite you to take an active role in shaping the future of Oakes College by joining the UCSC Alumni Association (30% of your membership fee goes directly to the college) and/or by getting in touch with us to share your thoughts and ideas.
Oakes Ambassador Program
The Oakes Ambassador Program began in 2015 as a joint initiative among current students, academics, and residential life at Oakes. The program is designed to strengthen our Oakes family by connecting incoming Oakes students, current Oakes students, and Oakes alumni, in their geographic region. Oakes continuing students and alum host approximately three events a year – two over the summer and one over the winter break – to help incoming Oakes students and families prepare for the transition to college, and to reflect on the first quarter.
The following regions currently have an Oakes Ambassador Program:
- East Bay
- Los Angeles
- Sacramento-Davis
- Salinas Valley
- Santa Cruz County
Don Catalano Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Community Service
The Don Catalano Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Community Service honors those alumni whose life and work has served as an example of the mission of Oakes College by virtue of their commitment to effect positive social change in their own communities.
Previous recipients include:
2025- Tiffany Dena Loftin
2024- Judith Estrada
2023 – n/a
2022 – n/a
2021 – Forrest Stuart
2020 – Neidi Dominguez
2019 – Blake Riggs
2018 – Yesenia Cervantes
2017 – Reyna Ruiz
2016 – Barbara Garcia
2015 – Azadeh Moaveni
2014 – Dana Kawaoka-Chen
2013 – Ly Nguyen
2012 – Kenji Treanor
2011 – Malcolm Amado Uno
2010 – Dr. David Shuman
2009 – Pablo Reguerin
2008 – Martin Martin
2007 – Hector Tobar
2006 – Cheryl Scott
2005 – Ralph Gomez Porras
2004 – Filomena Trindade
2003 – Edison Jensen
2002 – Robert Stanley Oden
2001 – Eric Thomas
2000 – Darrick Smith
1999 – G. Chris Brown
1998 – Ana Espinosa
1997 – Patti Diane Dengler, Maria A Gaona
1996 – Amy Bank, Lisa Solinas
1995 – Don Catalano, Rebeca Rangel
The Distinguished Alumni Award will be selected by the Oakes College Leadership Team based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated commitment to sharing Oakes values
- Outstanding service to one’s local community
Herman Blake Award Winners
The founding Provost of Oakes College, J. Herman Blake, truly lived our mission and our values, and the J. Herman Blake award reminds us of his inspiration and his legacy to the College. Throughout his career, he brought together the highest level of scholarship with the deepest commitment to service and social justice. Each year, we award the J. Herman Blake award to the graduate or graduates who best exemplify his two passions through their service to Oakes College and/or UCSC as well as through their academic achievements, which they plan to continue through graduate or professional school.
Previous recipients include:
2025 – Casarrubias Sergio
2024 – Pale Krystle
2023 – Chapa Gabriela
2022 – Lucatero Carlos
2021 – Banks Jasmine
2021 – Shukla Ishana
2021 – Cabral-Gutierrez Carlos
2020 – Wong Joey
2019 – Santiago Angelina
2018 – Gonzalez Kylee
2018 – Greeley Barrie
2018 – Martins Tifanny
2017 – Lemus-Pimentel Maria
2017 – Stefanson Joshua
2017 – Pimental Vargas Katiuska
2016 – Alexander Augusta
2016 – Baxter Lexus
2016 – Switzer Tonje
2015 – Alcala John
2014 – Mohajerinejad Abuoali
2013 – Barba Carlos
2013 – Castillo Berenice
2013 – Padilla Jorge
2012 – Lakatos Kyle
2012 – Quinones Feliz
2011 – Rodriguez Danny
2011 – Bell Danyale
2010 – Hernandez Leda
2010 – Milner Nicole
2010 – Alejo Tomas
2009 – Heim Astrid
2009 – Johnson Jessica
2009 – Saba Mariella
2008 – Docena Ligaya
2008 – Youssef Maro
2007 – Ku Calvin
2007 – Tagab-Cruz Noel
2006 – Sanchez Palomar
2006 – Shawargga Hiwote
2005 – Traylor Katrina