Alumni

Author and alum Valerie Williams-Sanchez (English B.A. '92) on the power of diverse narratives

January 10, 2025
Valerie Williams-Sanchez, Ph.D., is a UC Berkeley alum who graduated with an English degree in 1992. Today, Valerie is a consultant, researcher, publisher, and creator of the children’s picture book series, Cocoa Kids Collection®.

In this interview, Valerie shares the inspiration for her self-published series, Cocoa Kids Collection, which centers minority and multiracial children as they "tackle big issues with wit, whimsy, and chocolate." Read on to learn how Valerie's experience at UC Berkeley has influenced her work and research, and to...

UC Berkeley Social Sciences Young Alumni Council provides young graduates with essential networking resources

January 15, 2025
By Jessica Ballardo

The UC Berkeley Social Sciences Dean’s Office recently launched the Social Sciences Young Alumni Council to create an early-stage volunteer leadership opportunity for recent graduates and for them to benefit from the perspectives and guidance of these committed alumni. The council provides guidance on student- and young alumni-focused programs and ways the university may be a better resource for alumni.

The Social Sciences Young Alumni Council is open to recent university graduates and offers members access to events with senior-level alumni,...

UC Berkeley Social Sciences alumni share career advice with students seeking internships

December 18, 2024
By Jessica Ballardo

UC Berkeley Social Sciences and other Cal alumni offer students helpful tips on navigating the job market and advice on breaking into a diverse array of fields.

As part of the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program (SSCRIP) program, Social Sciences students receive valuable career advice from alumni in sectors such as nonprofit, finance, AI, tech, higher education...

Marianne Constable named inaugural Distinguished Rhetoric Faculty Fellow

December 17, 2024
by Alexander Rony

The Department of Rhetoric selected Marianne Constable as the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Rhetoric Faculty Fellowship. Constable is a UC Berkeley professor, a leading authority in law and language, and a co-founder of the Association for the Study of Law, Culture, and the Humanities.

“Marianne Constable has amassed a glittering record in scholarship, teaching, and service over the course of her 34-year...

For the Purdoms, astronomy students are the real stars

December 12, 2024
by Alexander Rony

Ellin and Ned Purdom grew to appreciate astronomy later in life. Neither took astronomy courses in the 1970s while at UC Berkeley, where the two met. Now, they look forward to the Department of Astronomy’s Evening with the Stars lecture every year, and in February, the couple pledged $500,000 and a portion of their estate to advance student access and diversity in astronomy.

Psychology alumna and tech advisor Britt Sellin provides career tips for Social Sciences students and young alumni

January 10, 2025
By Jessica Ballardo

UC Berkeley Psychology alumna Britt Sellin says the social science theories she learned as a Berkeley Social Sciences student — such as researching how people think and behave — have been essential to her 30-plus-year career as a human resources leader in the tech industry.

Sellin’s long career in HR has been focused on high-growth tech companies, with her holding senior positions at Cloudera, VMware and Sun Microsystems. Now, Sellin is a professional coach and mentor, as well as an advisor at SproutsAI, an AI agent platform that automates...

“I wanted to do something different and give back:” How the Finks are helping Berkeley build a brighter future for economics students

November 25, 2024
by Alexander Rony

Visitors to UC Berkeley’s bustling campus pass by many buildings under construction, all part of an effort to meet the needs of a growing student population. It’s a familiar feeling for Michael Fink, a 1983 economics alum who recently retired as the University of Washington’s lead attorney for real estate, capital projects, and construction.

“In addition to the benefits to students, you can look at a completed building...

The Berkeley Frontier Fund demonstrates the power of UC Berkeley’s ideas

November 12, 2024
by Alexander Rony

Richard Chan was hosting a Hong Kong dinner with other UC Berkeley alums when he heard a startling fact: the state of California covers just 14 percent of the public university’s budget. Chan, a serial entrepreneur and investor, decided to investigate how his skills could be of service to his alma mater.

New Townsend Center gift honors visionary founder

November 7, 2024
Alexander Rony

The Doreen B. Townsend Center for the Humanities will boost its fellowship and Art of Writing programs thanks to a generous gift from Matt and Margaret Jacobson. The couple pledged $750,000 to create the Paul Alpers Memorial Fund, honoring the founding director of UC Berkeley’s renowned nexus of humanities research and events.

“We feel so loved,” said Stephen Best, the center’s current faculty director, about the Jacobsons’ support. “I don't have a better way of expressing how deeply appreciative we are to have two people who get what we do and want to see us...

https://artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/new-townsend-center-gift-honors-visiona…

"My favorite winter memory at Cal..."

November 1, 2024

We asked L&S alums to share their favorite winter memories as UC Berkeley students, and the range of responses was heartwarming. Thank you to everyone who shared a memory! Here are just a few of the memories our alums shared.