Carlie Stanfill

Name:  Carlie Stanfill

Department: Politics 

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? Valerie Fuette Scholarship in Politics

What year do you expect to graduate? 2021

Where do you call home?  RGalt, CA and Santa Cruz, CA

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out?  UC Santa Cruz stood out to me because of the beautiful campus, the close proximity to the beach and so many amazing hiking trails, and it is a leading school for social mobility, which means a lot to me as a first-generation university student from a low-income household.

What is your field of focus? I am majoring in Politics with a minor in Legal Studies.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz?  Once I graduate from UC Santa Cruz, I will attend law school in order to pursue my dream to become a children’s advocacy attorney.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? I have had so many memorable moments at UC Santa Cruz, but I think one that stands out was my first day walking to class from my dorm room. This is a spectacular memory, as I knew that this was a start to a bright future and an unforgettable journey. I also went on a hike one early morning and found 9 banana slugs, which is another moment I’ll never forget!

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz?  Some advice I have for incoming students is to enjoy every moment you have on this beautiful campus, make friends, explore your surroundings, and always use the walking map so you don’t get lost! This is truly a wonderful school and each day you’re bound to make new discoveries that will impact your future, so just embrace that and make every moment count.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research? This scholarship will greatly impact my academic life by allowing me to be more excited about school and less worried about my financial struggles. It also reminds me that I can overcome any obstacle that stands in my way and pursue my dreams despite my past and any life challenges I may face ! Thank you so much to the donor for reminding me of this.