Alumni Spotlights feature outstanding UC Santa Barbara alumni succeeding in their careers, proud of their Gaucho heritage.

Nominate your fellow Gauchos for the Alumni Spotlight series!

Christina Knapp (Ph.D. ‘19) leads a new generation of quantum researchers. Knapp is an associate researcher working on topological quantum computing with Microsoft Station Q in Santa Barbara.
Stephanie Couch, Ph.D. ‘12, has led the Lemelson-MIT Program as Executive Director since 2016 and has more than a decade of experience in STEM education policy, research, development and strategic fundraising.
Rochelle Farnum '12 graduated from UCSB in three years, with a degree in Communication and an Exercise and Sports Studies Certificate. She now works for LA28, the Organizing Committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Diosa Femme ‘15 is an activist and freelance writer, but what really put her on the map was Locatora Radio, her podcast that she has co-hosted and produced since 2016.
Carly Thomsen ’14 was the first person to receive a Ph.D. in Feminist Studies at UC Santa Barbara and is an interdisciplinary scholar, interested in ideas that have become taken-for-granted by self-identified liberals, progressives, and leftists.
Brent Linas ‘07 is sharing how the diversity of UCSB helped him land opportunities in a variety of fields, and how his time in Greek Life impacted his ability to flourish in the professional world.