PRIZES

This year, we're raising the stakes with enhanced prize packages and an exciting second chance round that gives preliminary runners-up another shot at advancing, bringing a 9th finalist to our showcase event.

Preliminary Rounds

  • $1,000 for 8 preliminary ground winners (advance to Final Round)
  • $250 for 8 preliminary runners-up (advance to 2nd Chance Round)
  • $750 for the 2nd 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 2nd place winner
  • $1,000 for 'People's Choice' winner
Image
2023 Trophy

SPONSORS

Thank you to our generous campus and community sponsors who make Grad Slam possible every year.

View our Grad Slam Sponsor Benefits Overview

Premier Sponsor

Image
Yardi logo

Champion Sponsors

Dr. Carrie Towbes & Dr. John Lewis
Lopker Family Foundation
 

Disciplinary Round Sponsor

Image
HRL logo

Medalist Sponsors

 

Image
Tri Valley Logo

 

Image
Boone logo

 

Image
SB Independent Logo

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 Facilitators

Renata Curty
UCSB Library Research Data Services Social Sciences Research Facilitator

Gina Genova 
UCSB Writing Program Continuing Lecturer

Bri McWhorter
Founder, Activate to Captivate

Kenny Smith
UCSB Writing Program Continuing Lecturer

Graduate Division Staff

Leila Rupp (Interim Anne and Michael Towbes Graduate Dean)
Robert Hamm (Assistant Graduate Dean)
Jin Sook Lee (Associate Graduate Dean)
Dar Roberts (Associate Graduate Dean)
John Lofthus (Assistant Dean of Development)
Walter Boggan (Admissions, Outreach, & Diversity Director)
Michele Johnson (Diversity Initiatives & UC LEADS Systemwide Director)
Carlos Nash (Diversity Programs Director)
Karen Van Gool (​​Assistant Director, Outreach)
Ryan Sims (Associate Director of Academic Services)
Ashley Bradbury (Director of Academic Services)
Anna Theogarajan (Director of Professional Development)
Grace Kimball (Assistant Director of Professional Development)
Michael Roysner (Professional Development Programming Assistant)
Marge Pamintuan-Perko (Marketing and Communications Director)
Avery Bowen (Graduate Communication Peer)
Amber Shelor (Finance and Administration Manager)
Debra Vance (Executive Assistant to the Deans)
Misti Schilling (Development Assistant)