Category: Alumni profiles
Artemis Patrick: Belonging to something beautiful
For Artemis Patrick (Oakes ’93, economics), leading the innovative beauty retailer Sephora North America has meaning that goes far beyond skin-deep
By Liza Monroy, February 2024
John Craigie: Modern-day troubadour
Famed folk singer–songwriter and storyteller John Craigie (Crown ’02, mathematics) credits UC Santa Cruz with expanding his mind, confidence, and creativity
By Kristen Garabedian, February 2024
Emily Sieu Liebowitz: A love letter long overdue
Emily Sieu Liebowitz (Rachel Carson ’07, literature) used the writing skills she developed at UC Santa Cruz to cowrite But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?, a book celebrating the songs and achievements of American girl groups of the ’60s
By Kristen Garabedian, November 2023
Maurice Conti: Diving into the future
Maurice Conti (Stevenson ’92, Japanese history) is a futurist, so he helps clients prepare for what’s coming, while also combining technology with storytelling to protect one of his lifelong loves—the ocean
By Kristen Garabedian, November 2023
Melissa LaHommedieu: Finding a way home
Santa Cruz social worker Melissa LaHommedieu (John R. Lewis ’19, psychology) uses her lived experience to help others find housing and navigate the foster-care system after breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse that marked her early life.
By Kristen Garabedian, August 2023
Nomsa Khalfani: Health care without stigma
Nomsa Khalfani (Kresge ’91, sociology), co-leads Essential Access Health, a nonprofit with a mission of advancing health equity and promoting quality sexual and reproductive health care for all.
By Lisa Renner, August 2023
Joseph K. Lyou: Environmental justice for all
President and CEO of Coalition for Clean Air Joe Lyou (M.S. ’86; Ph.D. ’90, psychology) began his decades-long fight for environmental protection and civil rights during his student years at UCSC.
By Kristen Garabedian, May 2023
Bonnie Garmus: Chemical reaction
Bonnie Garmus (Rachel Carson ’79, aesthetic studies/creative writing), author of the smash-hit novel Lessons in Chemistry, drew on many lessons learned at UC Santa Cruz on her way to finding the formula for success.
By Dan White, May 2023
Samantha Hamilton: First Amendment advocate
Award-winning journalist and civil rights lawyer Samantha Hamilton (Kresge ’16, economics) finds herself using skills learned at City on a Hill Press during her fellowship as a newsroom attorney for the New York Times.
By Kristen Garabedian, March 2023