Who We Are

The Educational Partnership Center at UC Santa Cruz is home to eight programs that support under resourced K-12 schools, their students, and their families across the Pajaro Valley, Monterey Bay, and Silicon Valley. In collaboration with campus, community, state, and national partners, we incorporate research-based strategies to help students access and succeed in college. We leverage each program’s expertise and services to maximize outcomes for local students, their families, and our community.

Our Vision

Every student will be prepared to access and succeed in college.

Our Mission

We build educational equity and create opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged students in the communities we serve by forging partnerships and empowering students with knowledge, tools, and support systems to access and succeed in college.

Get Involved. Change Lives.

Become an EPC supporter

When you make a financial gift to the Educational Partnership Center, you are creating pathways and transforming lives. We are committed to building future opportunities for all students.

Students who receive support from the Educational Partnership Center benefit from mentoring, counseling, academic assistance, and most importantly, support in their belief that they can achieve and succeed in college and beyond.  

EPC programs are changing our communities and our world, one student at a time.

Join our prestigious roster of donors by supporting the Educational Partnership Center and making an investment in education for the Monterey Bay, Pajaro Valley, and Silicon Valley/San Jose regions. We appreciate gifts of cash, donations of stocks and securities, and in-kind donations. 

For more information on how you or your organization can get involved, please contact:

Maria Rocha-Ruiz
Assistant Vice Chancellor of
Educational Partnerships and
Chief Campus Outreach Officer

831.459.1811
mgrruiz@ucsc.edu