Dear Triton parents and families,

Today marks the end of winter quarter, and as your students wrap up finals and head into spring break, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the impressive quarter it has been for Tritons everywhere.

UC San Diego alumni have been making headlines all winter. Earlier this month, "Sinners" — produced by Sixth College alumnus Sev Ohanian '08 — took home four Academy Awards, including Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay, capping a historic run for a film that received more Oscar nominations than any other in Academy history. And in February, Scripps Institution of Oceanography alumna Jessica Meir '09 launched to the International Space Station as spacecraft commander of NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission.

Our faculty have also been recognized in remarkable ways this quarter. In February, six UC San Diego researchers were elected as Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors — a reflection of the groundbreaking, real-world impact of the scholarship happening on our campus every day.

And then, of course, there are our students. Our women's basketball team recently defeated Hawaiʻi to win The Big West Championship for the second year in a row. Which means that, for the second consecutive year, the Tritons earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament — a remarkable milestone for a program only two seasons into Division I postseason eligibility. Tournament MVP Makayla Rose said it best after the win: "It shows that we can do hard things — and I think that lesson is very important moving forward, in the future, outside of basketball."

We know that same spirit is alive in Tritons across campus — not just on the court or the red carpet, but in the work your students are doing every day. And you play no small role in that. Your encouragement, your check-ins and your steady support from home make a real difference in your students’ success, even if they don't always say so. When Tritons make headlines, we know they didn’t get there on their own; their families and their Triton community are behind them. The same is true when your student aces a final, lands an internship or walks the stage at commencement. You’re part of that journey, and we’re honored to be part of that journey alongside you.

Best,
Margot

Margot Clifford
Director, Parent and Family Programs

All Campus Commencement:
Student keynote speaker applications

Application Deadline: Thursday, April 23

We are excited to share that the application for student keynote speakers at Commencement 2026 is now available. The student speaker opportunity at UC San Diego is a powerful tradition and a once-in-a-lifetime chance for graduating students to reflect on their journeys and inspire the Class of 2026. Encourage your outstanding students to apply for the chance to share their meaningful stories and inspire their fellow Tritons.

Parents Fund applications are open

Application Deadline: Friday, April 24

If your student is a member of a registered student organization on campus, let them know about this great opportunity to apply for Parents Fund support in the 2026-27 academic year. 

The Parents Fund provides resources to foster a balance of academics, personal growth and extracurricular activities. These funds are allocated by members of the Parents Council and are awarded based on need, number of students served, educational benefits derived, and funds available from our generous parent and family donors to UC San Diego. Reach out to parentfamilygiving@ucsd.edu with any questions. If you would like to further this initiative, please consider giving to the Parents Fund.

CalFresh for student employees

CalFresh offers up to $292 per month in food assistance to student employees with work-study as part of their financial aid package. CalFresh is California's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that provides assistance via an EBT card, which works like a debit card and can be used at many grocery stores and campus markets. Students who qualify for work-study through the FAFSA are generally eligible, and the CalFresh team at the Basic Needs Center offers support throughout the application and renewal process.

For more information, visit The Hub or contact the CalFresh Team at calfresh@ucsd.edu. 

Triton Family Web Series

Our Triton Family Web Series is under way! Keep an eye out for our next session, and in the meantime check out the recordings of Home Away From Home, Again: Navigating Student Housing for Next Year and Supporting Your Student Through Challenges.

Student academic support services and programs

The Teaching and Learning Commons is the foundation for achieving the university’s goal to be student-centered. Services offered include:

Supplemental Instruction and content tutoring services
Support for lower division STEM courses is available both through individual one-on-one or small group tutoring and regularly scheduled study sessions through Supplemental Instruction. Data shows that participation in supplemental instruction supports students in obtaining a half-letter grade higher than their peers who do not participate in this program. 

Writing and communication services 
Our highly trained peer consultants engage writers in supportive, in-depth conversations about writing, the writing process and writing skills so that every writer — at every stage of the writing process and across every discipline — can make progress on writing assignments and take that next step in their writing journey.  

Experiential learning and academic internships 
Students can explore experiential learning opportunities through the Co-Curricular Record (CCR) with over 1,200 campus-connected positions. The CCR is a complimentary transcript highlighting student campus involvement, along with the skills developed beyond the classroom. Opportunities include the Academic Internship Program that offers a variety of credit-bearing paid and unpaid internship experiences, including Biology Research Internship Program for students seeking laboratory experiences and quarterly internship opportunities in Washington, DC (UCDC), or Sacramento, CA (UCCS) through seminars and internships at the national state capitol.

Services are available six days a week, both online and in-person. Students can schedule an appointment ahead of time; same day drop-in appointments are subject to tutor availability. 

Urgent mental health services for students

Supporting a student during a time of crisis can feel overwhelming, but resources are available to help ensure their safety and well-being.

Triton CORE is a mobile response team is dedicated to supporting students who may be experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis on campus. The team is made up of licensed mental health professionals who respond directly to students wherever they are on campus, and their goal is to provide compassionate, respectful and culturally sensitive care during difficult moments. They work collaboratively with students and only provide services with the student’s consent whenever possible.

This service is especially helpful for students who may be:
• Feeling extremely overwhelmed or unable to cope
• Struggling to care for their basic needs, such as eating, sleeping or attending class
• Having frightening or distressing thoughts, including thoughts of harming themselves

If you are concerned about your student, you may contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 858-534-3755 (select option two after hours) for guidance. You may also consult with a Triton CORE by calling the UCPD Non-Emergency Line at 858-534-4357. These services will help determine the most appropriate next steps.

Guiding Tritons to steadier shores

Triton Lighthouse: Immersive Care Program is a new CAPS program that offers a short-term (eight to 10 weeks) comprehensive initiative for UC San Diego students. The program focuses on early intervention and prevention for students who may be experiencing isolation, hopelessness, overwhelming thoughts or emotions that make life difficult, self-harm that does not require medical attention, or have recently experienced a distressing situation. The goals is to help students feel supported, build coping skills and connect with the Triton community. To get started, students can call CAPS at 858-534-3755 and ask for a Triton Lighthouse BTA.

More access to Student Health Services

Starting Feb. 10, 2026, Student Health Services (SHS) began directly billing UnitedHealthcare PPO plan for eligible services. This is part of phased approach of the Access to Care for Non-UC SHIP/Billing Expansion project to transform the student experience by expanding access to compassionate and affordable health care for thousands of UC San Diego students. 

What does this mean for your student? If they are enrolled in UnitedHealthcare PPO, the clinic can submit claims directly to their insurance, and they may utilize SHS for their primary care needs. We are the first UC campus to have the ability to bill third-party health insurance providers. For more information, please visit the 2026 UC SHIP Changes webpage.

Emergency services
The SHS Where to Get Care Guide helps students navigate whether they need a primary care provider, an urgent care center, or an emergency department depending on what type of injury or symptoms are present and how serious they are. Students have many options for urgent and after-hours care on campus and nearby. The SHS Nurse Line is available 24/7 to help students decide what level of care is most appropriate; see below for details.

Free nurse line for all students
The Student Health Services Nurse Line is available 24/7 at no charge for all students to receive health-related guidance and advice. Students who are sick, injured or just need help navigating their health care can call 858-534-3300 and choose the option for “Nurse Advice” to speak live with a registered nurse who can assist.

Support from your student's dean of student affairs

Join us in welcoming new Triton families!

Deciding where to send your student for college is a decision that involves and impacts the entire family. Which is why we know that you played an essential role in your student’s choice to become a Triton. Now, you have the chance to help other families learn more about UC San Diego and discover if this is the right place for their student!

UC San Diego’s Triton Family Ambassadors invite you to join us in welcoming newly admitted students and their families to campus at UC San Diego's Triton Days 2026 on Saturday, April 11.

Get Involved: Triton Family Ambassadors 

As parents and family members, you play an important role in your student's educational journey, and we encourage you to take an active part in our Triton community. Consider joining our Triton Family Ambassadors to support campus events, foster connections among families and represent UC San Diego to both current and prospective parents.

Every family member has experience and insights that help enrich our community. Become a Triton Family Ambassador and help create the connections that make our Triton family thrive.