John Jezek

Name: John Jezek

College: Stevenson

Department: Social Sciences

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? 2021-2022 Dean’s Undergraduate Award

What year do you expect to graduate? 2022

Where do you call home? Santa Cruz, CA

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? The Community Studies program has been a rigorous and rewarding major that really makes UCSC a competitive school for social justice work. I initially didn’t know about this major until my sophomore year; UCSC gave me opportunities for growth that I didn’t even think possible before attending the university.

What is your field of focus? Urban Planning, Local Housing Policy, Land-use Politics

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? I hope to become part of the city planning staff for a major city like San Francisco, San Jose, or Los Angeles.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? I don’t have a specific moment but I really appreciate the off-campus student culture of UCSC. When I’m not focused on academics, there’s no shortage of enriching experiences to take part of within the City of Santa Cruz. Some memories that come to mind are hanging out downtown with friends, going to neighborhood concerts, and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds UCSC.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? Come in with an open heart and mind. Santa Cruz was a huge culture shock for me because I lived in Orange County for my entire childhood. Soak up the different perspectives offered at UCSC.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research? This award feels immensely gratifying because I spent 9 months working on this project by collecting data, writing field notes, honing in themes, and actually writing the essay. It was a huge process that I am proud to have completed, even more so that the school believes its worthy of Dean’s recognition.