Welcome to the Inaugural UCSB Graduate Open House!
Discover the vibrant community, high-impact research, and world-class graduate programs at UC Santa Barbara. Whether you are ready to apply this term or just starting to explore your options, our virtual Open House is your opportunity to connect directly with academic departments, student support centers, and the Graduate Division team.
JUMP TO SESSIONS
Graduate Division Featured Sessions
EVENT DETAILS
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Virtual Event via Zoom Events
REGISTER HERE
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This is your private link to access the UCSB Grad Open House.
Event Information
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Time Zones: All scheduled times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) [UTC -7]. Please adjust for your local time zone accordingly.
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Managing Your Schedule: Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the event dashboard. You can join different concurrent sessions throughout the day from this dashboard.
Event Schedule
Expect programming in three major areas:
Graduate Division
Featured Sessions
Get expert advice straight from the UCSB Graduate Division team on navigating the admissions process
UC Santa Barbara, nestled along the picturesque California coastline, offers a unique blend of academic excellence and natural beauty. Known for its stunning campus, which includes its own beach, UCSB is a world-class research institution with particular strengths in physics, engineering, and environmental studies. The university is home to six Nobel laureates and is renowned for its collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to education. The campus culture is characterized by a strong commitment to sustainability, a vibrant arts scene, and a laid-back coastal vibe. With its bike-friendly paths, beautiful lagoon, and proximity to the Santa Ynez Mountains, UCSB provides an unparalleled environment where groundbreaking research meets an active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle.
At UC Santa Barbara, we’re committed to providing prospective graduate students with clear, accessible, and helpful information as they explore their path to graduate education. Our outreach efforts are designed to demystify the admissions process, offer guidance on preparing competitive applications, and connect applicants with UCSB’s diverse academic community.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Janine M. Jones
Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Affairs and Anne and Michael Towbes Graduate Dean
Michele Johnson
Graduate Division Director of Admissions, Outreach, and Diversity
Karen van Gool
Assistant Director for Graduate Division Outreach
Featured Speakers:
Anna Theogarajan
Graduate Professional Development Director
Dr. Grace Kimball
Assistant Director of Graduate Professional Development
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Robert Hamm
Assistant Graduate Dean
Rhiannon Parisse
Graduate Appointment Policy Analyst
The Graduate Division's Admissions and Outreach team will walk you through the graduate admissions and application process, provide answers to the most commonly asked questions, and take some questions live from our attendees. We look forward to meeting you!
At UC Santa Barbara, we’re committed to providing prospective graduate students with clear, accessible, and helpful information as they explore their path to graduate education. Our outreach efforts are designed to demystify the admissions process, offer guidance on preparing competitive applications, and connect applicants with UCSB’s diverse academic community.
Featured Speakers:
Michele Johnson
Graduate Division Director of Admissions, Outreach, and Diversity
Karen van Gool
Assistant Director for Graduate Division Outreach
Mallarie Stevens
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
Dr. Ana Guerrero
Coordinator of Graduate Diversity Initiatives and UC LEADS Systemwide
Campus Resource & Support Sessions
Learn about the robust support systems available to UCSB graduate students, covering funding, professional development, and community-building.
Staff from the Office of International Students & Scholars will provide an overview of the international student immigration landscape and provide a high level overview of the immigration process after being admitted to UCSB. Q&A will be available at the end of the session.
Academic Program Sessions
Connect directly with Graduate Program staff, faculty, and graduate students from participating departments. Learn about specific application requirements, research environments, funding structures, and department culture.
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More sessions will be added here as they are scheduled.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Ryan Stowers
Assistant Professor of Bioengineering & Mechanical Engineering
UCSB Department of Bioengineering
Nicole Becker
UCSB Department of Bioengineering
This session will provide an overview of the Chemical Engineering Ph.D. program at UCSB and its unique opportunities for graduate research and life. A brief overview presentation of the program and admissions will be followed by an open Q&A panel with faculty.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Matthew Helgeson
Professor and Department Vice Chair
UCSB Department of Chemical Engineering
Dr. M. Scott Shell
Professor and John Myers Founder's Chair
UCSB Department of Chemical Engineering
Erica Diaz
Student Affairs and Academic Affairs Manager
UCSB Department of Chemical Engineering
This session will include a brief graduate program overview focusing on best practices for preparing competitive applications. We may also invite both faculty and graduate students to engage in a panel where their research and graduate student-faculty research and mentorship collaborations are illustrated.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. San Juanita García
Assistant Professor
UCSB Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies
Dannah Mari Hidalgo
Staff Advisor
UCSB Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies
Dr. Ralph Armbruster-Sandoval
Department Chair and Professor
UCSB Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies
Featured Speaker:
Dr. Emilio Capettini
Associate Professor
UCSB Classics Department
In this session, you will learn about the doctoral program in Communication at UCSB, hear about research going on in our department, and have an opportunity to ask questions about the application process.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Dan Lane
Associate Professor
UCSB Department of Communication
In this session we will provide an overview of our graduate program, share advice for submitting a competitive application, and answer questions.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Lorraine Lisiecki
Vice Chair and Professor
UCSB Earth Science Department
Quinlan Dougherty
Graduate Program Coordinator
UCSB Earth Science Department
Lauren Mumby
PhD Candidate
UCSB Earth Science Department
Prospective applicants to the UCSB Economics PhD program are invited to attend an informal virtual session with Mark Patterson, Graduate Program Advisor for the Department of Economics. With over 24 years of experience in graduate education, Mark offers in-depth knowledge of the application, admission, and recruitment processes.
This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions about the program and gain insight into the admissions process. Attendees are welcome to join at any time during the session.
Featured Speaker:
Mark Patterson
UCSB Department of Economics
Featured Speaker:
Carolyn Sattin Bajaj
UCSB Department of Education
The Master of Engineering and Technology Leadership (METL) program is designed for early- to mid-career engineers and technology professionals ready to move into leadership roles. METL students build a foundation in leadership and technology management, coupled with technical expertise in one of four cutting-edge tracks: AI Technology Leadership; Quantum Information; Semiconductor Technology; and Technology Management. Whether you're advancing within your organization or positioning yourself for new opportunities, this program gives you the technical depth and strategic perspective to lead with confidence.
In this info session, you'll hear from program leadership and faculty about METL's specialized curriculum and how METL's unique approach prepares professionals to adapt to industry change and spearhead tomorrow's innovations. Next, you'll learn about the application process, and then wrap up with a live Q&A.
Featured Speaker:
Dr. Christoffer Bovbjerg
Executive Director
UCSB Master of Engineering and Technology Leadership (METL) Program
Dr. Ilan Ben-Yaacov
Teaching Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Associate Dean for Online Education
UCSB College of Engineering
Dr. Nelson Philips
Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, PhD Faculty Advisor, and Distinguished Professor in Technology Management
UCSB College of Engineering
In this session we will provide graduate program overview and discuss our application requirements. Meet our departmental Director of Graduate Studies and Staff Graduate Program Advisor, who are here to answer any questions about the program.
Featured Speaker:
Saixious Dominguez-Kilday
Staff Graduate Advisor
UCSB Department of English
Dr. Bernadette Andrea
Professor
UCSB Department of English
Hear about Bren's two professional master's degrees and the PhD program from a member of our Admissions Team.
Featured Speakers:
Kristine Faloon
Executive Director of Student Services
UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
Kimberly Yom
Admissions & Student Affairs Coordinator
UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
In this session, we will provide our graduate program overview, discuss time-to-degree milestones, application requirements and more. Meet some of our faculty and graduate students who will provide insight into research opportunities and graduate student life.
Featured Speaker:
Maddie O'Shea
Graduate Program and Academic Personnel Assistant
UCSB Department of Film and Media Studies
Featured Speakers:
Sam Rifkin
UCSB Geography Department
Anna Trugman
Professor of Geography & Vice Chair of Graduate Programs
UCSB Geography Department
Dr. Amy Frazier
Professor & Jack and Laura Dangermond Endowed Chair of Conservation Science
UCSB Geography Department
Dr. Brian Codding
Professor
UCSB Geography Department
Dr. Zoe Pierrat
Assistant Professor
UCSB Geography Department
Featured Speaker:
Hailey Fletcher
UCSB Department of Global Studies
During this session, general questions will be answered, information about the program and faculty will be discussed, and application requirements will be discussed.
Featured Speaker:
Hunter Morelos-Clark
Academic Program Manager and Graduate Advisor
UCSB History of Art & Architecture Department
In this session, we will provide a graduate program overview.
Featured Speaker:
Dr. Cristina Marchetti
Professor
UCSB Physics Department
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Lina Hou
Associate Professor Director of Graduate Studies
UCSB Department of Linguistics
Dr. Laurel Brehm
Assistant Professor
UCSB Department of Linguistics
Dr. Simon Todd
Assistant Professor
UCSB Department of Linguistics
Dr. Eric Campbell
Associate Professor
UCSB Department of Linguistics
Featured Speakers:
Medina Price
UCSB Department of Mathematics
Hector Ceniceros
UCSB Department of Mathematics
In this session we will provide and graduate program overview and meet some of our faculty and graduate students, who are hear to answer your questions about about our research and graduate student life in our department.
Featured Speakers:
Katelynn Ellison
Student Affairs Manager
UCSB Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Bolin Liao
Professor
UCSB Department of Mechanical Engineering
Ashlynn Overholser
PhD Candidate
UCSB Department of Mechanical Engineering
Daniella Walter
PhD Candidate
UCSB Department of Mechanical Engineering
Arie Ogranovich
PhD Student
UCSB Department of Mechanical Engineering
Jamall Brown
MS Candidate
UCSB Department of Mechanical Engineering
In this session graduate students will provide an overview and Q&A of program.
Featured Speaker:
Lindsey Washiashi
PhD Student
UCSB Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Featured Speakers:
Carly Yartz
Graduate Advisor
UCSB Music Department
Dr. Ben Levy
Associate Professor of Music Theory
UCSB Music Department
Meet our chair of admissions, who will answer your questions about applying the program, along with questions about research and graduate student life in the Department.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Thomas Barrett
Professor and Graduate Admissions Committee Chair
UCSB Philosophy Department
In this session, you can learn more about the political science graduate program, and opportunities to connect with our faculty or courses as students across campus.
Featured Speaker:
Matto Mildenberger
UCSB Political Science Department
Featured Speaker:
Matto Mildenberger
UCSB Political Science Department
Featured Speakers:
Erin Nerstad
MTM Executive Director, UCSB Department of Technology Management
Erin Moore
UCSB Department of Technology Management
Nelson Phillips
UCSB Department of Technology Management
Join us for an overview of the Technology Management PhD program. Hear from our Director of PhD Studies, Prof. Christine Beckman, about our research focus, the holistic admissions process, and how to craft a competitive application. We will conclude with a Q&A to discuss our research environment and life as a doctoral student in our department.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Christine Beckman
Investment Group of Santa Barbara
Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
UCSB Department of Technology Management
Tricia Taylor
UCSB Department of Technology Management
In this session, we will provide a graduate program overview.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Hannah Wohl
Associate Professor
UCSB Department of Sociology
Melissa Martinez
Academic Consultant
UCSB Department of Sociology
Lisa Hajjar
Professor and Department Chair
UCSB Department of Sociology
Featured Speaker:
Juan Barrera Alcazar
UCSB Department of Statistics and Applied Probability
The TEP general information session will introduce prospective students to the UCSB credential program with the Master's Degree in Education (M.Ed.), including what makes UCSB TEP unique, the structure of our program, and what their time with us might look like.
Featured Speakers:
Samantha Cole
UCSB Teacher Education Program Assistant Director
Cici Martinez-Lopez
UCSB Teacher Education Program
Katie Tucciarone
UCSB Teacher Education Program
Featured Speakers:
Samantha Cole
UCSB Teacher Education Program Assistant Director
Cici Martinez-Lopez
UCSB Teacher Education Program
Katie Tucciarone
UCSB Teacher Education Program
Contact
Questions about UCSB Graduate Open House and other outreach events? Please contact Grad Outreach.