Oakes College
Founded in 1972, Oakes College upholds its mission of fostering academic excellence, social justice, and community engagement. Philanthropic support strengthens programs that empower students—many of whom are first-generation students—to thrive academically and personally. Contributions help fund scholarships, mentorship initiatives, experiential learning opportunities, and vibrant residential life programs that make Oakes a place where students from any background can grow, connect, and succeed.
“We’ve always been about inclusivity and having a core curriculum that speaks to the ways that students can learn how to develop their critical thinking and communication skills in ways that are appreciative of the diversity in the world.”
—Xavier Livermon, Interim Provost of Oakes College
A number of courses offered at Oakes College are made possible by philanthropy including: Rainbow Theater Culture Studies, Re/Presenting Identity, Performance Based Techniques for Social Transformation, and Gays and Lesbians in the United States.
The Oakes Core course, Communicating Diversity for a Just Society, supports traditionally underrepresented students through hands-on learning. It introduces new experiences and potential career paths while exploring themes of race, gender, class, sexuality, religion, and politics—all grounded in a commitment to social justice.
Now is the time to protect this curriculum and Oakes’ community engagement programs, like its Community-based Action, Research, and Advocacy Program, better known as CARA.
CARA puts experiential learning into practice. It’s courses: Oakes Community-Building, Puentes Community Engagement, and the Corre la Voz Program give students the ability to work on or off campus, building relationships outside of UC Santa Cruz.
“For the students who arrive here on campus, whether they are a first-year or a transfer student, our goal is to make sure they leave the institution with the degree they came here to get.”
—Xavier Livermon, Interim Provost of Oakes College
By investing in Oakes College, you are not only supporting individual students—you are strengthening a community dedicated to equity, leadership, and positive change in the world.