Alumni

L&S astronomy alum Kareem El-Badry awarded 2025 MacArthur 'genius' fellowship

October 8, 2025
Lauren Miller

Astrophysicist Kareem El-Badry, an alumnus of the UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science (M.S. '18, Ph.D. '21, Astronomy), has been awarded a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship. The new MacArthur Fellows class, which was named on Wednesday, October 8, was rounded out by 21 other exceptional individuals, including UC Berkeley associate professor of optometry and vision science ...

Phuong Le's unconventional journey at UC Berkeley unlocked a new passion and career trajectory

October 9, 2025
L&S Alum Spotlight:
Phuong Le '22 (she/her) Major: American Studies

Phuong Le graduated from UC Berkeley's College of Letters & Science with a degree in American Studies. While that may sound straightforward, her path was anything but traditional. After building a strong academic foundation at Berkeley, personal challenges with her mental health and finances ultimately led Phuong to withdraw from school just shy of graduation in 2017.

Over the next five years, Phuong worked tirelessly to overcome these obstacles, which were...

Office of Development and College Relations

The L&S Development and College Relations Office is responsible for raising private support for all L&S departments from alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations, and provides leadership and assistance to the campus community.

The College of Letters & Science is made up of five academic divisions, each with their own funding opportunities, priorities, and development directors. Scroll down to learn more about each division, the different funds you can donate to, and for contact information of L&S development directors.

Arts & Humanities...

Sociology alumnus’ book examines surveillance and the unequal politics of personal data

September 29, 2025
By Aubrey Spowart

UC Berkeley Sociology Alumnus Martin Eiermann recently published a new book that explores the evolution of privacy, spanning from its emergence as a social norm about domestic life to its endangerment in a world of mass surveillance. It’s titled “The Limiting Principle: How Privacy Became a Public Issue.”

The book maps out the unequal politics of personal data amid a spike in immigration raids. He based it on his award-...

UC Berkeley's James Nuñez appointed a 2025 Vallee Scholar

September 18, 2025
The Vallee Foundation recently announced the appointment of six new Vallee Scholars, including UC Berkeley scientist James Nuñez. The Foundation celebrates its thirteenth year of providing unrestricted support to national and international early-career researchers at a pivotal stage of their tenure-track careers. Since 2013, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million to empower 65 exceptional young scientists worldwide.
https://thevalleefoundation.org/news/2025-vallee-scholars-appointed

L&S Events at Homecoming 2025

August 27, 2025

Berkeley Time logo for Homecoming 2025

UC Berkeley's Alumni and Parents Weekend at Homecoming takes place on October 3-5, 2025. Check out these upcoming events from the College of Letters & Science: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

10-11AM: Whiskerology: The History and Culture of American...

Political Economy alumnus Andy Barkett advises students to be open-minded about their career paths

September 16, 2025
By Aubrey Spowart

Andy Barkett began his academic career at UC Berkeley studying political economy, a major he chose for its interdisciplinary focus and close-knit community. He credits UC Berkeley with teaching him the foundational skills he would later rely on in a dynamic, unconventional career that spanned from high-tech to politics.

Now a political economy board member, Barkett remains an active and engaged alumnus. Through guest lectures, student mentorship and organizing student mixers, he continues to give back to the Berkeley community. By sharing his...

Political Economy Alumni Advisory Board powers the program’s future

September 10, 2025
By Jessica Ballardo

In recent years, UC Berkeley’s Political Economy program has seen notable growth not only in student interest, but also in alumni involvement. A key force behind this momentum is the Political Economy Alumni Advisory Board, established seven years ago to strengthen the program’s sense of community, improve student professional outcomes and demonstrate the broad range of careers that a political economy degree can support.

The board brings together alumni from a diverse array of industries and geographic locations who are eager to give back to...

Rooted in blue and gold: From Political Science classmates to lifelong partners at Cal

September 4, 2025
By Jessica Park

In October 2005, UC Berkeley Political Science alumni Mike and Laura Taylor met at a study night between their fraternity and sorority. Neither could have guessed that the evening would mark the start of something much more. More than a decade later, in 2016, the two were married at the campus Faculty Club.

Laura arrived at Cal and was astonished by the intensity of support and encouragement on campus. Mike joined as a third-generation Cal student, growing up in San José. As proud alumni, they cheer at football games, mentor students through...

Economics and Data Science grad shares how she landed job in a tough economy

September 5, 2025
By Jessica Park

UC Berkeley Economics and Data Science alumna Shrinidhi Gopal recently started working as a product manager at Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity company, since graduating from Cal in May.

Gopal attributes this opportunity to being a dual major, which taught her how to approach things from a technical and macro-economic perspective in her current role. She also highlighted the range of professional development resources offered at Berkeley, from the Career Center to her time as ASUC president.

At Palo Alto...