College Nine

Established in 2000, College Nine is one of UC Santa Cruz’s newer residential communities, distinguished by its strong focus on global engagement. Its core course emphasizes cultural awareness and international perspectives, providing students with a foundation for thoughtful, justice-oriented leadership.

College Nine’s programming is powered by the College Nine and John R. Lewis College CoCurricular Programs Office (CoCo), which offers dynamic, hands-on learning experiences that complement the academic curriculum. Through CoCo, students access scholarships, apprenticeships, and social justice opportunities, including:

• The Practical Activism Conference, a student-led event that connects participants with community organizers and thought leaders to explore real-world solutions to pressing social issues.
• Curriculum development and teaching opportunities, where students contribute to educational innovation at both colleges.
• The Undeclared Scholars Program, a pilot initiative that helps students explore academic pathways and build professional networks through mentorship from faculty and field experts.
  

With additional support, College Nine envisions expanding its global engagement by launching a multi-year residential program that brings together domestic and international students. Participants would live and learn alongside one another, take shared courses, and collaborate on impactful summer projects or study abroad experiences.