The 2025 Grad Slam Final Round
Welcome to the 2025 Grad Slam Showcase Final Round!
Grad Slam is an annual event that spotlights the amazing research being done by our campus’ graduate students. Students present the central points of their projects in a clear, direct, and engaging manner for a diverse audience.
Join us at 4:30 p.m. on April 3rd in UCSB's Campbell Hall to hear our finalists' present their talks and vote for your favorite in the People's Choice award.
Program Overview | Meet the Finalists | Judging Panel | Thank You to Our Sponsors | Campus Partners
Program Overview
- Opening Remarks from Interim Anne and Michael Towbes Graduate Dean Leila Rupp
- Finalist Presenter Talks
- Group Q&A
- People’s Choice Voting
- Announcement of Winners
- Closing Remarks
MEET OUR 2025 FINAL ROUND PRESENTERS
FINAL ROUND JUDGES
Dr. Miroslava Chavez-Garcia
Professor of History & Affiliate in Chicana/o, Feminist, and Iberian/Latin American Studies, Faculty Director for the McNair Scholars Program
Dr. Krystal Onyekwuluje
Student Initiatives & Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS
Premier Sponsor
Champion Sponsors
Dr. Carrie Towbes & Dr. John Lewis
Lopker Family Foundation
Medalist Sponsors
Campus Partners, Workshop Facilitators, and Staff Organizers
Campus Sponsors
Alumni Affairs
Career Service
Counseling and Psychological Services
Graduate Student Association
Office of the Chancellor
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor
Office of Research
Student Affairs
UCSB Library
College of Letters and Sciences
Bren School
College of Engineering
Gevirtz Graduate School of Education
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences
Division of Social Sciences
Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts
Grad Slam Workshop FacilitatorsJulien Brun Renata Curty Gina Genova Greg Janée Bri McWhorter Kenny Smith |
Graduate Division Staff
Dr. Leila Rupp (Interim Anne and Michael Towbes Graduate Dean)
Dr. Robert Hamm (Assistant Graduate Dean)
Dr. Jin Sook Lee (Associate Graduate Dean)
Dr. Dar Roberts (Associate Graduate Dean)
John Lofthus (Assistant Dean of Development)
Walter Boggan (Admissions, Outreach, & Diversity Initatives Director)
Mallarie Stevens (Associate Director of Graduate Admissions)
Michele Johnson (Associate Director of Diversity Initiatives & UC LEADS Systemwide Director)
Karen Van Gool (Assistant Director, Outreach & UCSB UC LEADS Program Coordinator)
Dr. Carlos Nash (Diversity Programs Director)
Kristina Melsheimer (Graduate Admissions Analyst)
Mary Michael (Diversity Peer)
Ashley Bradbury (Director of Academic Services)
Ryan Sims (Associate Director of Academic Services)
Ruby Gutierrez (Assistant Director of Academic Services)
Kaylia Grant (Academic Advisor)
Jeremy Moore (Academic Advisor)
Anna Theogarajan (Professional Development Director)
Grace Kimball (Assistant Director of Professional Development)
Sathvika Anand (International Peer Advisor)
Liliana Garcia (Funding Peer Advisor)
Maya Hargens (Assistant Director of Graduate Career Education)
Elise Dauterive (Career Peer Advisor)
Alex Eleazar (Career Peer Advisor)
Marge Pamintuan-Perko (Marketing & Communications Director)
Jayline Naranjo Lagunas (Marketing & Communications Student Assistant)
Avery Bowen (Graduate Communication Peer)
Christopher Dixon (Student Financial Support Director)
Kelly Crowell (Assistant Director, Fellowships)
Rudy Reyes (Assistant Director of Academic Appointments)
Kathryn Dumont (Academic Appointment and Fellowship Analyst)
Amber Shelor (Finance and Administration Director)
Elizabeth Pulliam (Finance and Administration Analyst)
Rickie Smith (Systems Operation and Analysis Director)
Damien Hoffman (Institutional Research Analyst)
Sahithi Bandi (Database Developer)
Elizabeth Acebu (Business Systems Analyst)
Misti Schilling (Development Assistant)