Student Organizations

BRASA UCSB aims to promote the Brazilian culture to the UCSB community by organizing social events and meetings. The organization encourages students, alumni, faculty members and staff to take on issues related to Brazil ranging from politics and economics to art and culture. If you are passionate about Brazil and would like to participate in a cultural organization and learn about Brazil's biggest facets, join BRASA!

For more information about BRASA, visit the website.

The Chicanx/Latinx Graduation, also known as CLG, is a student run organization that funds for its own graduation by coordinating fundraisers, finding generous sponsors, and collecting member fees. CLG is different from the official university graduation in which the graduation itself is hosted in both Spanish and English, Latin American flags are placed by the stage, graduating seniors are given a few seconds to give thanks and more upon receiving their certificate, members receive a CLG sash, there is no limit to how many guests one brings, cultural entertainers such as mariachi and Danza Azteca will perform during the graduation, there is a reserved time for org shout outs, and more.

CLG is a very special ceremony for the Chicanx/Latinx community as an underrepresented group, especially due to the fact that a large portion of graduating students within this community are first generation college students. We want to make this graduation as special as possible by touching base on the cultural aspects. Aside from the mariachi and Danza Azteca, we would like to incorporate a tamborazo since the ceremony is as much for the graduates as it is for their family.

Furthermore we also want to design a more culturally appealing banner that future CLG members will be able to use for future graduating classes. Culture plays such a large role in the Chicanx/Latinx community, thus we want to incorporate as much of it as we can during this special ceremony.

The Latinx Graduate Student Colectiva seeks to build community among Latinx Graduate students and the larger Latinx Isla Vista communities. We aim to serve as a resource to both academic and non-academic Latinx communities in and around UCSB. We strive to provide mentorship and emotional support for undergraduate Latinx students, to work on retention of Latinx graduate students, to develop strategies to navigate academia and to engage with the larger Latinx Santa Barbara community.

Cotillion Dance Club is a student organization at UCSB that teaches Ballroom, Latin, and social dancing, and many other forms of partnership dancing, in addition to providing opportunities for social dancing and performative art. We have weekly meetings which include beginner friendly dance lessons and social dancing. We also have competition practices geared toward improving styling and techniques for those who enjoy a little friendly competition. No partner or dance experience is necessary! We dance a lot, and we socialize a lot. So come on in for a lesson and some dancing!

DOLP will promote the cultural, social, political, and intellectual development of peoples affected by Euro-western colonization while developing methods and structures to promote decolonization in our lives.

We exist to raise up a generation of Latinx leaders to change the world. The world is a pretty messed up place. You don’t need anybody to prove that. Wars. Disease. Poverty. Divorce. Addictions. Tragedies and injustice all around us. A lot of people want to change the world, but sometimes it’s hard enough to even change our own lives. We think Jesus was on to something when he said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” DESTINO is a movement of college students that wants to change the world, one life at a time, with the only One who can do it.

An activist Chican@/Latin@ student organization and recognized official M.E.Ch.A. Chapter at UCSB, comprised of committees which address various areas of interest. Through its workshops, programs, and conferences, El Congreso strives to empower, defend, and support the needs of Chican@/Latin@ students and the local community. We are a diverse community of people (indigenous, immigrant, mixed race, etc.) actively working against homophobia, racism, sexism, and the many other oppressive "isms" that exist today. We continue on with the struggle, keeping the legacy of the Chican@ movement alive.

Hermanas Unidas Inc. (HaU) of UCSB aims to provide a familial network for Latinas/Chicanas through participation in academic, community service, and collegial networking events which impact our women as well as our surrounding community. We emphasize the importance of hermandad and support for each other in our individual quest for success and in our transition to and from college.

The Latino Business Association of the University of California at Santa Barbara was founded in 1983 as a student chapter of the Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We are affiliated with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and are a subcommittee of El Congreso.

Our organization is one of several branches of the United Latino Students Association (ULSA) which serves as an umbrella organization for Latino based organizations in universities across Southern California. ULSA creates a network of opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to effectively communicate between CSUs, UCs, and private universities.

Our UCSB chapter’s mission statement focuses on highlighting three pillars:
Professionalism, Community Service, and Social. Our membership is comprised of individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as well as academic disciplines who are interested in building their Professional skills and preparing for their career of interest. Together, the members of the Latino Business Association strive to learn the imperative responsibilities that are inherent within the working world, by emphasizing in academic, communal, and corporate networks.

The goal of the Latino Business Association is to prepare students for the world after graduation by offering professional development workshops as well as creating a fun and safe environment to meet fellow classmates with the same aspirations and mindset.

We actively seek internships and employment positions in the careers corresponding to Business Law, Marketing, Advertisement, Accounting, Finance, and any other opportunities that may interest our members. As a student-run, non-profit organization, we thrive on a variety of activities to complete and fulfill our goal.

In doing so, we have built a firm foundation through various careers exposition, leadership conferences, community involvement, excellent guest speakers, and fundraisers.

Los Ingenieros is dedicated to promote the advancement of Latin@ students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. Our organization offers activities and events that fall in the following four areas: Academic Excellence, Professional Development, Leadership and Community Outreach.

To create and promote underrepresented and diverse communities to participate in outdoor activities to engage future generations of marginalized people in the outdoors. Through promotion of accessibility, knowledge, and exposure.

M.U.J.E.R.(Mujeres Unidas por Justicia,Educación y Revolución) is a womxn's support group and political action organization that provides support and advocacy for Latina/Chicana womxn and marginalized genders and promotes cultural and gender awareness on campus and in the community. YOU DON'T JOIN M.U.J.E.R., YOU ARE M.U.J.E.R.

SBKlub is a student run organization that focuses and provides a fun, social environment to learn the salsa, bachata and kizomba Social Dances. We practice these skills, engage with others in a positive and Healthy way. We meet weekly and foster dance, the arts, community building, respect and physical social interaction. No partner or experience necessary!!

Contribute to the success of Latinx scholars in higher education by providing them with a resource-based community where they can excel in academics, community service, and networking.

This organization is dedicated to enhance the experience of and appreciation for STEM graduate students of diverse backgrounds including, but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and geographic region.

We are the Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) chapter at the University of California, Santa Barbara. SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science. SACNAS achieves mission impact through outcome-based programming and initiatives.

The Latin@/x UCSB Network Association (LUNA) focuses on providing activities and opportunities to assist in the retention, professional development, and promotion of Latino/a faculty and staff at UCSB. LUNA serves as an organization that promotes respect and understanding of Latina/o cultures in order to recruit, retain, celebrate, and value Latina/o faculty and staff.