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Chancellor's Associates Scholars Program
e-Newsletter | September 2025
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Greetings!
Happy Fall Quarter! Welcome back to our returning CASP Scholars and a warm welcome to the new 2025 Cohort! We’re excited to kick off another academic year together. We hope you all had a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy your summer break.
This summer, we loved getting to know our newest scholars during our CASP 101 Summer Program, and it was wonderful seeing so many of you at this year’s Academic Year Kickoff!
As the quarter begins, we encourage you to take time to explore all that UC San Diego has to offer. Wishing you a strong start to the year ahead!
In this newsletter, you will find information regarding upcoming CASP events, CASP requirements, welcome week events, and deadlines. Please read through to learn more about these opportunities and events around campus!
We are open! Come by and say hello to our office located on the 3rd floor of Center Hall (through Door E & F). We have free printing, a dry kitchen, and a study space open Mon - Fri from 9 am - 5 pm.
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Visit the CASP day-to-day calendar of events to keep up to date with CASP events, resources, and other opportunities available to you all!
To schedule a time to meet with one of our professional staff members virtually, please check our availability by clicking here.
Questions? Ask us here!
casp@ucsd.edu
(858) 534 - 8366
Center Hall, 3rd Floor (through Door E & F)
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2025 CASP Academic Year Kickoff, upcoming cohort taking a photo together!
PC: Kehaulani from Wonder Struck Photography
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Meet the CASP Team!
PC: Kehaulani from Wonder Struck Photography
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Campus Community Centers & More
| | Important Dates for Fall Quarter | | | Monday, September 22nd | Fall Quarter Begins | | Thursday, September 25th | Instruction Begins | | Thursday, October 9th | Wait List Ends | | Friday, October 24th | Deadline to Drop Classes without "W" on Transcript | | Friday, November 7th | Deadline to Drop Classes with "W" on Transcript | | | | Tuesday, November 11th | Veterans Day Holiday. All offices, including CASP, will be closed. | | Thursday - Friday, November 27th - 28th | Thanksgiving Holiday. All offices, including CASP, will be closed. | | | | Friday, December 5th | Instruction Ends | | Saturday - Saturday, December 6th - 13th | Final Exams | | Saturday, December 13th | Fall Quarter Ends | | | | Wednesday - Thursday, December 24th - 25th | Winter Break | | Wednesday - Thursday, December 31st - January 1st | New Year Holiday | | | CASP Scholarship Requirements | | Welcome to CASP Corner, your go-to space for all things CASP! Each edition we’ll shine a spotlight on our incredible scholars and alumni whether they’re studying abroad, returning to welcome new scholars, sharing their best tips, or showing us the amazing things they’re doing after graduation. This is where we celebrate the CASP community and all the ways our scholars inspire us! | |
💡 Scholar-to-Scholar: Advice for Success | | |
Steven Tran, 3rd Year, Human Biology
So… You’ve found yourself at a new school by the beach with a clean slate and a fresh start. Your first week at UC San Diego is about trying new things exploring campus, meeting new people, and adjusting to this newfound freedom. Take time to find your lecture halls, develop strong study habits, and learn more about resources on campus. Say YES to welcome week events, join clubs, and start to build an everlasting community. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but remember that CASP is always here to support you!
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Charlize Hongo, 4th Year, Political Sci/Public Law
Looking back, my first week at UCSD feels like it happened years ago. The person I was then, an excited but nervous transfer student, is so different from the senior I am today, about to graduate. Time really does fly, and the saying “the days are long but the years go fast” has never felt truer. I remember feeling both overwhelmed and eager, meeting so many new people and being surprised by how different, yet familiar, UCSD felt compared to community college. What stands out most is that someone I randomly met at a tabling event during that first week ended up becoming one of my closest friends a year later. If I could give advice, it would be to stay open-minded, even when you feel unsettled, because the connections you make and the opportunities you take early on can shape your entire UCSD journey.
| | | CASP Goes Global: Summer in Switzerland 🇨🇭 | | | | |
This summer, I studied abroad in Switzerland for five weeks through the Global Seminar during Summer Session I. It was truly life changing as I got to balance classes with travel, exploring places like the Matterhorn, Mt. Pilatus, and even visiting Germany. It was a really nice independent experience without having to go alone since we had the support of professors and staff, but still felt so free to explore. Traveling with a group of students made it feel like a fun class field trip from elementary school. We even played on a playground for hours and got popsicles, and it was the most fun I have had in a while. I will always remember the fresh mountain air, the stunning views, and the friendships that made this experience so meaningful.
📍 Check out more pictures here!
| | | 🔦 Shining a Light on CASP Alumni | | Hello everyone, my name is Leo Cruz Paz. I recently graduated with a B.S in Mathematics - Computer Science and a minor in Business. Although I came to this school with an undeclared major not sure of what career path to choose, I used the resources available to me such as CASP’s peer mentoring program to ask questions that would eventually guide me to my answer. My overall experience at UCSD was overwhelmingly positive as I entered clubs that I was interested in like Mariachi and La Familia and made lifelong friends. Although I am satisfied with the field I graduated in, I am pivoting to the business field as that is what piqued my interest during the last year of college and now post grad I will be working as an Accountant. My biggest advice to the incoming cohort is do not be afraid to not know. As a first generation student I didn’t know what I wanted to do career wise, I didn’t know what GE requirements were, I didn’t know a lot of things, yet I used the resources available to help me. I wish you all the best of luck and please don’t be afraid to ask for help. Visit the CASP office. It is so cool! AND DON'T PULL ALL NIGHTERS. | | | | Study Abroad UC San Diego welcomes you to campus with our annual Study Abroad Open House. Meet with advisors and learn about Global Seminars, Global Exchange, and UCEAP. Stop by to speak to us about using financial aid to study abroad and our various scholarships. Also, please plan to attend one of our two Get Started sessions at 1:30 and 2:30 PM in the Dance Hall. Each Get Started session lasts about 30 minutes. We hope to see you there! | | |
📅 Tuesday, September 23rd, 3 PM - 5 PM
📍 In-person at Main Gym's Natatorium Pool
Celebrate becoming a Triton by attending Floatopia, Recreation's annual pool party at Main Gym's Natatorium pool! Enjoy lounging on giant pool floaties, relaxing in our indoor pool, or in the spa, and visit our table to learn more about Recreation programs and activities. Party will be complete with a DJ, giveaways, and light refreshments.
| | What Time is it? First Friday Time! | | |
📅 Wednesday, September 24th, 1 PM - 3 PM
📍 In-person at Warren Mall
Ensure you are starting your UCSD engineering experience strong by attending the Engineering Student Fair! Connect with a wide array of resources that are unique to your engineering student experience. After visiting booths, take your bingo card over to the IDEA Center Open House spaces for your free snacks and swag. Bring your friends!
| | Beyong the Bookshelves: The Library Unlocked | | |
📅 Wednesday, September 24th, 3 PM - 6 PM
📍 In-person at Geisel Library
Welcome back to campus, Tritons. Get ready for the ultimate Library Open House! There will be games, arts and crafts, giveaways, countless outreach booths, snacks, good vibes and more. Join us at Geisel Library for a fun-filled afternoon of discovering all the amazing resources and services the Library has to offer, just for you.
| | What Time is it? First Friday Time! | | First Friday is an annual open house at Price Center where you learn about everything your student union has to offer and have a chance to win some awesome prizes such as an iPad, Sony headphones, a Polaroid camera, and more! At First Friday you will have the chance to learn about different resource centers, departments, and services at your student union and more. | | |
📅 Saturday, September 27th, 10 AM - 3 PM
📍 In-person at Scripps Coastal Reserve, Scripps Pier
Enjoy some sun, sand, and surf at Scripps Pier Beach with other UCSD first-year undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students at the 17th annual Meet the Beach, one of UC San Diego’s signature events. There will be free swag and lunch (while supplies last for students with wristbands). Students can also join surf lessons, kayak tours, Scripps pier tours, aerial silks, use boogie boards, play beach volleyball, and join beach Zumba dance!
Students must have a wristband to participate fully. Check the Meet The Beach website for other wristband distribution times - while supplies last.
| | Triton Fest: Fair at the Square | | |
📅 Saturday, September 27th, 7 PM - 11 PM
📍 In-person at UCSD Town Square
Triton Fest's annual Fair at the Square returns once again to transform Town Square into a bustling carnival. Challenge your friends to thrilling carnival games, grab a memento from our talented caricature and balloon artists, and indulge in delicious fair treats. As you explore, you may run into stilt-walkers, jugglers, fortune tellers, photo-ops and more!
(This event is open to undergraduate and graduate students at UC San Diego with valid student ID. Wristbands must be kept on in order to enjoy activities. Doors open at 7pm.)
| | Associated Students Concerts and Events is proud to welcome new and continuing students to the 2025-2026 academic year with Day One Fest. This welcoming celebration will present live music from student performers, fun games and activities, information about how to get involved on campus, and an opportunity for students to kick off the year with new and returning friends! | | Triton Transfer Hub: Upper Division Transfer Social | | Are you a junior or senior? Just started as a transfer or a returning transfer? Come make friends, enjoy food and picnic with us on the Pepper Canyon Apartments! Be sure to stay around for the new student and faculty mixer hosted by UC San Diego on Sun God Lawn at 4pm! | | Raza Resource Centro : Student Org Fair | | Due: Student Art Showcase | | Black Resource Center: CommUNITY Cookout | | |
📅 Wednesday, September 24th, 11 AM - 12:30 PM
📍 In-person at Price Center, Outdoor Tabling Plaza, Space #6
Join Triton Firsts in capturing your first day as a first-gen college student. First-Gen,First Day is an event where you can meet the Triton Firsts team, learn more about the programs we are hosting this year, and all other things first-gen we got going on! We are also letting you create your own first-day board and capturing that moment with a polaroid photo!
| | LGBT Resource Center: Rainbow Welcome 2025 | | Women's Center: Working Parents | | |
📅 Wednesday, September 24th, 4 PM - 6 PM
📍 In-person at Women's Center (A204 - Original Student Center)
Hear ye! Hear ye! Join the Women's Center (WC) for a royally good time at the Femissance Faire, our feminist renaissance faire themed Open House! Be among the first to find hidden treasure, step through whimsical spaces on tour, and learn more about our WC work. Enjoy tasty morsels, participate in fantastical arts and crafts, play games, and more! Costumes encouraged but not required.
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📅 Wednesday, September 24th, 12 PM - 5: 30 PM
📍 In-person at Lion Tree Arena, RIMAC Field, and TEC
Each year during Week 0, UC San Diego’s eight undergraduate colleges compete for the coveted Golden Shoe trophy. Starting at noon in LionTree Arena, students competing in the Triton UnOlympics must excel in games such as sack races and an egg toss, as well as wow the judges in a choreographed dance. Learn about tryouts and make new connections.
| | Triton Transfer Hub: All College Transfer Social | | Cross Cultural Center: Price Center's 1st Friday | | Cross Cultural Center: Dance Party with Division 12 | | Superman @ Price Center Theater | | Cross Cultural Center: Intro to Breaking, A Hip Hop Cultural Dance Form | | Student Veterans Resource Center: Welcome Aboard Ice Cream Social | | Women's Center: Working Parents | | |
These support groups are in collaboration with the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program and the Women's Center, facilitated by Izabel Caetano Francy, LCSW, a Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) licensed clinician, who is also a full-time remote working parent. These are open to all UC San Diego Students, Faculty, and Staff.
Questions? Please contact Izabel C. Francy at icfrancy@ucsd.edu
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Working Moms of 0 - 5 Year Olds Group
Next session: Wednesday, September 24th, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM. (Sessions are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month)
Please join us for a supportive Zoom discussion and opportunity to connect with other UCSD working parents.
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Working Parents of Elementary and Middle Schoolers Support Group
Next session: Wednesday, October 1st, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. (Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month)
Please join us for a supportive Zoom discussion and opportunity to connect with other UCSD working parents.
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Working Parents of Teens Support Group
Next session: Thursday, October 9th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Sessions are held on the second Thursdays of every month)
Calling all parents of teens! Please join us for a supportive Zoom discussion and opportunity to connect with other UCSD working parents.
| | Scholarships & Opportunities | | |
Achieve your Higher Education Dreams
In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.
In 2024, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $4.9 million in scholarships to more than 1,200 San Diego students.
| | We are happy to announce that Price Center has expanded its hours to provide students with more options for late-night studying. Price Center East (Levels 1 & 2) and Burger King will now be open 24 hours Monday through Thursday and Open Desk and Sun God Lounge will now be open until 2am Monday through Thursday. | | Tritons Connect is open to all students, alumni, staff/faculty, and the UC San Diego community. Join us to connect 1:1 or in groups, post and apply for job opportunities, get matched with or be a mentor, and so much more. Signing up is easy! | | |
We are so happy to have you all be part of the CASP family and look forward to seeing you all throughout your time here at UC San Diego.
Visit our Flickr account to view more pictures from our Kickoff event.
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