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
Mark & Madeline Sten
Campus Collaborators
Alumni Affairs
Career Services
Counseling and Psychological Services
Graduate Student Association
Office of the Chancellor
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor
Office of Research
Office of International Students and Scholars
Student Affairs
Academic Senate
Academic Programs
Disabled Students Program
Health and Wellness
Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP)
Interdisciplinary Humanities Center
Student Life
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
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
Alexandra Phillips
UCSB Bren School Assistant Teaching Professor in Environmental Communication
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)
Maya Hargens (Assistant Director, Graduate Career Education)
Elise Dauterive (Career Peer Advisor, Professional Development)