University of California, Santa Cruz

Founded in 1965, the University of California Santa Cruz, combines the strengths of expanding graduate studies and engineering with the bounty of an incomparable Northern California location. With a commitment to teaching, learning, creativity, and with cutting-edge technology UCSC is a driving force of innovation that benefits our local, national and global communities in multiple ways.

With close to 15,000 students, UCSC is one of the fastest-growing campuses in the University of California system. Members of the faculty who have been attracted to UCSC include 10 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 19 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and two members of the Institute of Medicine. UCSC faculty also includes two of the University of California's honored University Professors. Computing manager Aaron Melgares and File maker specialist Donna Riggs are two of dozens of UCSC staff members who have participated in the effort to consolidate information technology services. The IT Transformation Project is one of the major initiatives under way to improve the campus's operational efficiency in an era of significant budget cuts. By "transforming" business practices and information technology, campus leaders are minimizing the impact of budget cuts and protecting the campus's academic mission. [Top]

In conjunction with graduate teaching and intellectual inquiry, the campus is home to two Organized Research Units: the Institute of Marine Sciences and Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics. The University of California Observatories/Lick Observatory is a Multicampus Research Unit headquartered at UCSC. UC's Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP), a Multicampus Research Unit, includes a branch on the UCSC campus established in 1999. UCSC also is one of several UC campuses sponsoring the Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3), and the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS), two of the California Institutes for Science and Innovation established in 2000–02. Over the years, UCSC has been awarded more than $1.09 billion for contracts and grants within these units and in numerous other campus research programs (including over $128 million in 2005-06).

UCSC is increasing both its enrollment and resources and diversifying its educational and research opportunities over the next decade. New academic programs are being added during this period of growth. Another major objective is to provide for a growing number of students, faculty, and staff of diverse ethnic backgrounds and cultural experiences.

For admission or to take a tour of UC Santa Cruz call (831) 459-0111 or visit www.ucsc.edu [Top]

Cabrillo College

Cabrillo College is a public community college in Santa Cruz, California. Cabrillo College is one of 109 public California community colleges. Situated on the Monterey Bay in the county of Santa Cruz, California, Cabrillo College is one of the most highly regarded community colleges in the state for its success in the area of transfer and career education and currently serves over 13,000 students. The mission of Cabrillo College is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community by assisting all students in their quest for lifelong learning and success in an ever-changing world. Cabrillo’s purpose is to provide an accessible and effective learning environment, which aids students in their pursuit of transfer, career preparation, personal fulfillment, job advancement, and retraining goals. Cabrillo’s core values are academic freedom, critical and independent thinking, and respect for all people and cultures. Cabrillo’s commitment is to encourage excellence, offer a balanced curriculum, promote teaching methods for diverse learning styles, and involve and enrich our community.

Everyone deserves an opportunity to go to college and Cabrillo College is here to provide you that opportunity. Cabrillo College is an excellent place to start or continue your college education. You may choose to earn an associate degree or a certificate, learn new skills, or transfer to a four-year university.

For admission or more information on Cabrillo College visit www.cabrillo.edu [Top]

West Valley

West Valley College is a public California Community College located on the west side of Silicon Valley, in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, 50 miles south of San Francisco. Continuing a nearly 40 year tradition, West Valley College offers 18 dynamic career programs, professional certificates, and degree programs with exceptional preparation for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. WVC has flexible course options including online and distance learning combined with many levels of support such as financial assistance, educational planning, personal counseling, child care and learning skills programs provide every student the opportunity for the highest academic and personal success.

For admission or more information on West Valley College call (408) 867-2200 or visit www.westvalley.edu [Top]

San Jose State University

Established in 1857, San José State University is the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast. San José State provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor's and master's degrees in 134 areas of study. Quality teaching and small classes are a priority at SJSU, where tenured professors teach introductory as well as advanced courses. One of the 200 top research universities in the nation, SJSU offers rigorous course work and research opportunities to more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students in seven colleges. Conveniently located on 154 acres in downtown San José midway between San Francisco and the Monterey/Carmel area at the sunny southern end of San Francisco Bay, SJSU is easily accessible from area freeways.

For admission or more information on San Jose Sate University call (408) 924-1000 or visit www.sjsu.edu [Top]

San Francisco State University

For information on San Francisco Sate University visit www.sfsu.edu/about.htm or call (415) 338-1111 [Top]