PRIZES
This year, we're bringing back our exciting Second Chance Round that gives preliminary runners-up another shot at advancing to the Final. On April 9, 2026, we'll have seven finalists competing for the UCSB Grad Slam Champion.
Preliminary Rounds
- $500 for Six Preliminary Round Winners (advance to Final Round)
- $250 for Six Preliminary Runners-Up (advance to Second Chance Round)
- $250 for the Second Chance Round Winner (advance to Final Round)
- $25 Gift card for all other presenters
Final Round
- $5,000 for the Grad Slam Champion (advance to UC-wide Grad Slam Competition- date TBD)
- $2,000 for the Second Place Winner
- $1,000 for 'People's Choice' Winner
SPONSORS
Thank you to our generous campus and community sponsors who make Grad Slam possible every year.
Presenting Sponsor
Champion Sponsors
Dr. Carrie Towbes & Dr. John Lewis
Lopker Family Foundation
Medalist Sponsors
Sten Family Foundation
Campus Sponsors
Office of the Chancellor, Chancellor
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Gervitz Graduate School of Education
College of Engineering
Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
Alumni Affairs
Campus Collaborators
Career Services
Office of the Chancellor
Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Affairs
Office of International Students and Scholars
Student Affairs
Academic Senate
Academic Programs
Disabled Students Program
Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP)
Interdisciplinary Humanities Center
Student Life
Interim Dean of Gevirtz Graduate School of Education
Dean of Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts
College of Engineering
Health and Wellness
Dean of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences and Dean of Science
Department of Asian American Studies
Department of Sociology
Department of History
Graduate Division
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
Department of Sociology
Department of Geography
Graduate Council
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Department of Economics
Student Resource Building and Staff
Campbell Hall and Staff
Department of Communication
Department of English
Department of Cell & Developmental Biology
Department of Chemistry
Department of Religious Studies
Department of Political Science
Writing Studies
Department of Tech Management
Department of Theater and Dance
Department of Statistics
Grad Slam Workshop Facilitators
Bri McWhorter
Founder of Activate to Captivate
Kenny Smith
UCSB Writing Program Continuing Lecturer
Brian Ernst
UCSB Writing Program Continuing Lecturer
Charlotte Bailey
UCSB Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Theater and Dance
Grad Slam Workshop Panelists
Rimika Jaiswal
UCSB Doctoral Candidate in Physics and 2025 Grad Slam Second Chance Round Participant
Joseph Farah
UCSB Doctoral Student in Astrophysics and 2025 Grad Slam Final Round Participant
Daniella Walter
UCSB Doctoral Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, 2024 People's Choice Award Recipient, and 2025 Grad Slam Judge
Kathleen Zhang
UCSB 2025 Undergraduate Slam Winner, 2025 Grad Slam Judge, and Science Communicator
Graduate Division Staff
Janine M. Jones (Associate Vice Chancellor & Anne and Michael Towbes Graduate Dean)
Robert Hamm (Assistant Graduate Dean)
Jin Sook Lee (Associate Graduate Dean)
Chandra Krintz (Associate Graduate Dean)
Ashley Bradbury (Director, Academic Services)
Ruby Gutierrez (Assistant Director, Academic Services)
Ryan Sims (Associate Director, Academic Counselor)
Kaylia Grant (Academic Advisor)
Jeremy Moore (Academic Advisor)
Michele Johnson (Director, Admissions/Outreach/Diversity; UC LEADS Systemwide)
Mallarie Stevens (Associate Director, Graduate Admissions)
Ana Guerrero (Coordinator, Diversity Initiatives)
Karen van Gool (Assistant Director, Outreach / UC LEADS Coordinator)
Kristina Melsheimer (Admissions Analyst)
Mary Michael (Peer Advisor)
Carlos Nash (Graduate Student Life Officer)
Christopher Dixon (Director, Student Financial Support)
Kelly Crowell (Assistant Director, Fellowships/Fellowships)
Rudy Reyes (Assistant Director, Academic Appointments)
Rhiannon Parisse (Appointment Policy Analyst)
Kathryn Dumont (Academic Appointment & Fellowship Analyst)
Christopher Boone (Financial Analyst)
Amber Shelor (Director, Finance & Administration)
Elizabeth Pulliam (Executive Assistant to the Deans)
Darren Nguyen (Finance & Administrative Assistant)
Marge Perko (Director, Marketing & Communication)
Jayline Naranjo (Student Assistant, Marketing & Comms)
Emily Lao (Web Design & Content Management Intern)
John Lofthus (Assistant Dean, Development)
Misti Schilling (Development Assistant)
Rickie Smith (Director, Systems Operation & Analysis)
Damien Hoffman (Institutional Research Analyst)
Sahithi Bandi (Database Developer)
Elizabeth Acebu (Business Systems Analyst)
Anna Theogarajan (Director, Professional Development)
Grace Kimball (Assistant Director, Professional Development)
Samantha Hutchinson (Graduate Programming Peer)
Christina Treacy (Engagement and Funding Peer)
Maya Hargens (Assistant Director, Graduate Career Education)
Elise Dauterive (Career Peer Advisor, Professional Development)