It is my privilege to serve as chair of the Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship Program (CASP). As a UC San Diego alumna, I understand firsthand the financial challenges that many students face and how these barriers often stand in the way of achieving their dreams.
That's why I am so proud of the impact that our Chancellor’s Associates community is making. Together, we are opening doors and helping students see the possibilities ahead of them.
CASP scholars are special. By the time they begin their studies at UC San Diego, they have already proven their tenacity, drive and determination to overcome the impacts of educational and economic inequity. The CASP scholarship covers tuition, fees and housing costs, eliminating the anxiety and financial burden of paying for college, empowering scholars to take advantage of internships, leadership roles, extracurricular activities and research opportunities. The program also offers comprehensive support services to help address the unique needs of each student.
Since its inception in 2013, CASP has awarded more than 2,500 scholarships to high-achieving California students from underserved communities. The program’s impact is transformative, not only for the scholarship recipients, but also for their families and communities. UC San Diego benefits as well: each new cohort contributes to an inclusive campus environment that’s primed for creativity, innovation and positive change.
Thank you for helping us broaden access to higher education, cultivate student success, and fuel a brighter future. We couldn’t do what we do without supporters like you.
With gratitude,
Nina Bacas ’87
Chair, Chancellor’s Associates
Ed Vea ’25
Majoring in Political Science/Data Analytics with a minor in Computational Social Science
A returning student, Ed faced significant challenges, including homelessness and trauma, during his first attempt at college. For a long time, Ed didn’t believe returning to school was possible as he struggled to make ends meet while healing from his past. Despite these obstacles, he remained determined to fulfill the dream his family instilled in him from an early age: completing a college education. Receiving a CASP scholarship gave him the courage and means to pursue his education and make is dreams a reality.
Ed is passionate about data-driven policymaking and aims to equip policymakers with statistical data that can enhance their ability to serve the public effectively. His focus is on finding ways to uplift historically disadvantaged communities, having personally experienced the hardships of falling through society's cracks. Proud to be a Triton and a member of the CASP Scholarship program family, Ed is committed to making a positive impact through his studies and future work.
Welcome Our New Chancellor's Associates Council Members
The Chancellor's Associates Council welcomes two new members and longtime supports of Chancellor's Associates, Diane Jacobs ’86, PhD ’91 and Stacy Cromidas. With Nina Bacas ’87 now serving as the council Chair, Enrico Bernardo ’96 will serve as the new council Vice Chair. Learn more about our Chancellor's Associates Council members.
Our council members are active ambassadors for Chancellor's Associates, expanding our network at home and abroad. Through thoughtful leadership, they establish a culture of collaborative philanthropy to address UC San Diego's critical priorities and advance Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla's vision for academic excellence.
Meet new CASP Director, Shanelle Watkins
Shanelle has worked in the field of education for over 14 years, at the K-12, community college and four-year university levels. As a first-generation student herself, Shanelle’s life passion has been to ensure that underrepresented students have supportive pathways to and through postsecondary education. Her dissertation research focuses on the experiences of Black women undergraduate student leaders at Hispanic Serving Institutions in the state of California. Learn more about Shanelle and the CASP team.
In Case You Missed It: Chancellor's Associates Event Photos
CASP 101 is a summer transition program for all new CASP scholarship recipients. Scholars have an opportunity to learn about campus resources and to meet their peers, staff, and faculty. On August 9, the week-long program concluded with Family and Loved Ones Day. Click here to see event photo highlights.
Giving Docs: A new resource to help you with your estate planning needs
Thank you for your continued support of UC San Diego and Chancellor’s Associates. As a small token of our gratitude, we want to share a tool you may find useful as you start or continue crafting your estate plan. UC San Diego is proud to partner with Giving Docs to provide access to a suite of easy-to-use estate planning tools. It’s secure, free for our UC San Diego community, and a powerful way to take control of your legacy.
Did you know that more than half of American adults don’t have plans in place to protect what matters most to them? Our days get so busy and it’s easy to put it off. Giving Docs allows you to create your will and other important documents from the comfort of your home. Check out Giving Docs on our website at https://giftplanning.ucsd.edu/giving-docs. It will walk you through simple steps you can take to set up your plan today.
If you have questions about Giving Docs or any planned gift option, please contact Kim Wenrick, Senior Director in the Office of Gift Planning, at kwenrick@ucsd.edu or (858) 761-2099.
The UC San Diego Founders' Pledge
The Founders’ Pledge is a nonbinding commitment that allows company founders, equity holders, and investors an innovative way to give back.
When you make the Founders’ Pledge, you are joining with other forward-looking entrepreneurs who have publicly committed to supporting our campus. In addition to launching the next generation of up-and-coming leaders through networking, mentoring and growth opportunities, you build philanthropy into your business from the very beginning, modeling best practices that inspire others to do the same. You'll also be connected with faculty and staff who can provide a wide variety of UC San Diego resources.
For more information, please visit the Founders' Pledge website.
Deep Dive with Water Polo Coach
Matt Ustaszewski
As the world’s top athletes gathered to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the spotlight and pressure wasn’t just on those facing off during the matches, but on the leaders guiding them to greatness. Among them was UC San Diego men's water polo head coach Matt Ustaszewski, who was selected as the assistant coach of the U.S. men’s water polo team. Read more.
Events for September, October, November
Celebrating the Magic of Glassmaking
Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts, UC San Diego
September 27 – 28, 2024
Join us for two compelling evenings of documentary film screenings featuring filmmaker and artist Q&As. This mini-series is a prelude to the much-anticipated launch of UC San Diego’s Glass Center, underscoring the university's commitment to creative exploration and artistic excellence.
Fall Regional Series
Bay Area | Los Angeles | New York
October 10 – 17, 2024
Join us for a meaningful evening of networking, connection and camaraderie. Reconnect with familiar faces, forge new relationships and hear from distinguished alumni who will share their stories and insights on leadership, innovation and community impact.
SAVE THE DATE
Chancellor's Associates Colloquium
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Featuring
A presentation by Dr. Karandeep Singh, Chief Health AI Officer, UC San Diego Health, Joan and Irwin Jacobs Endowed Chair in Digital Health Innovation, UC San Diego School of Medicine.
Homecoming 2024
November 8 – 10, 2024
This November, come home to UC San Diego. Reconnect with old friends, create new connections and ignite your curiosity with the latest research. Cheer on your Division I scholar-athletes as we kick off the basketball season and usher in a new era of Triton Athletics. Learn more.
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If you’d like to renew your Chancellor’s Associates gift online, click below.
You now have the option to designate your Chancellor’s Associates gift to a school, impacting the lives of scholars across campus.
About Chancellor’s Associates:
We believe in proactive philanthropy — the kind that breaks boundaries and levels the playing field for motivated learners. We are a community of supporters including alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends who partner with Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla to address UC San Diego’s most urgent priority: broadening access to higher education. Since 2013, more than 2,500 Chancellor’s Associates scholarships have been awarded to high-achieving, deserving students who are often the first in their families to attend college. Together, we change lives. Learn more at chancellorsassociates.ucsd.edu.
For any questions, please email ca@ucsd.edu or call (858) 822-2540.
