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Storm clouds gather over the ocean.
Photo Credit
Photo by Daniel Lerman on Unsplash
Strong storms and higher seas from El Niño exacerbate winter hazards in Southern California.

Understanding the causes and impacts of 2026’s record-breaking El Niño

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An arial view of Campus Point looking toward the university and the mountains behind it.
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
UCSB’s privileged position on the coast places it in the vanguard of climate adaptation.

UCSB seeks community input as the university plans for sea-level rise
A partially blurred image of four men posed on a rooftop holding a large colorful light
Photo Credit
Jay Blakeserg
Beloved alumni jam band ALO features Zach Gill ’97, Dan Lebowitz ’98, Steve Adams ’99 and Ezra Lipp

UCSB’s GauchoFest invites community to campus for a day of celebration
Blue sky and bright sun light the partial view of a modern building on a coastline
Photo Credit
Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects
An artist's rendering of the La Kretz Environmental Crossroads shows the view from the main entry and an elevated porch with the ocean in the distance

Alumni gift, vision powers plans for a multifaceted climate solutions hub at UCSB
A woman in a bright blue shirt smiling as she walks through rows of people waving blue and gold pom-poms
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
The second annual Gaucho Welcome rally for first-year and transfer students brought the energy to kick off fall quarter.

Fall quarter kicks off with a week’s worth of events and festivities
Portrait of Wendy Berry Mendes
Photo Credit
Courtesy
Wendy Berry Mendes

Social psychologist, alum Wendy Berry Mendes to deliver inaugural Major-Blascovich Lecture
A man in a police uniform stands at a lectern, with pink and red flowers in the background
Photo Credit
Jeff Liang
UCPD Chief Matt Bly at his swearing-in ceremony, July 9, 2026.

New UCPD chief appointed, sworn in at UC Santa Barbara
People enter and exit a modern white, glass and grey building fronted by palm trees
Photo Credit
Jeff Liang
UC Santa Barbara Library

UCSB Library wins prestigious national award for UCSB Reads
Headshot of Elena Irwin
Photo Credit
Courtesy
Elena Irwin

UCSB names new dean of its prestigious Bren School
A closeup of the back of a graduation cap decorated with a pale blue flower and the letters UCSB

Commencement 2026 celebrates accomplishment, purpose and community
Gold sashes marked with a university seal on a navy tablecloth
Photo Credit
Jeff Liang

University names winners of top student awards for Class of 2026
Headshot of Jaime Lester
Photo Credit
Courtesy
Jaime Lester

UCSB names new dean of its Gevirtz Graduate School of Education
A red-tiled building with Lobero Theatre spelled out on the exterior. A blue banner hanging beneath reads "Inauguration of Dennis Assanis"
Photo Credit
Jeff Liang

The Inauguration of Chancellor Dennis Assanis
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