College Eight is gearing up to serve as a hub for alumni, interdisciplinary faculty, environmental industry and community leaders, and, of course, students. The goal is to nurture, train, and seed the next generation of green entrepreneurs.
In pursuing our goal, we are drawing upon two of UCSC’s greatest assets – the college system, and a rich tradition of environmental accomplishment. The former provides an institutional foundation to mount co-curricular, entrepreneurial programs. The latter enables us to draw upon some the nation’s most accomplished faculty in the environmental sciences, engineering, policy, and thought.
A quick look at some of UCSC’s impressive alum gives an indication of both our rich history and exciting potential:
William Allayaud 1973. State Legislative Director, Sierra Club of California
Michael K. Woo 1973. Former Los Angeles General Manager of Flexcar, a public/ private partnership that has won numerous awards for its program to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion by offering a type of “timeshare” for automobiles
Andreas Merkl 1980. Principal at California Environmental Associates and managing director of the Conservation and Community Investment Forum
Kennan H. Ward 1980. Adventurer-naturalist, with work featured in national and international magazines including National Geographic, Sierra, Natural History, Outdoor Photographer, and Outside
Drew Goodman 1983. Co-founder, Earthbound Farm, the largest organic produce brand in North America
Sheila Davis 1985. Executive Director, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
John Francis 1987. Vice President of Research, Conservation and Exploration for the National Geographic Society
Jon Guice 1987. Entrepreneur with a focus on strategy and innovation in environmentally sustainable business, renewable energy, and clean technology
Michael Straus 1990. President, Straus Communications, advancing sustainability in food and agriculture.
More names and detailed profiles will be added to the Alumni section of this website in the months and years to come.
Our mission, going forward, is to build partnerships with our illustrious alumni, and other experts in the region and the state, and create outstanding programs to nurture leaders to serve the emerging green economy.
