UC Santa Barbara bid farewell to a distinguished group of future educators this month with the graduation of ÉXITO's 2026 cohort. The first of its kind in the UC system, ÉXITO (Educational eXcellence and Inclusion Training Opportunities) is a groundbreaking program designed to create a structured pathway for undergraduates to become credentialed K-12 Ethnic Studies teachers. The pipeline program, which was originally funded with a $3 million U.S. Department of Education grant, allows highly motived students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in one of the Ethnic Studies departments or Feminist Studies within the College of Letters and Science at UCSB while also applying to a Master’s Degree in Education and a Teaching Credential program.
"The continued interest in teaching and Ethnic Studies from our undergraduate students at UCSB solidifies the importance and need for ÉXITO," said Adanari Zarate, ÉXITO's associate director. "As one of our graduating scholars said, 'Teaching in this moment is my personal act of love and resistance.' Congratulations and thank you for continuing to inspire and fight for the education of our youth and communities.
ÉXITO's 2026 cohort includes, in back row, from left to right are: Londen Glasper: Stanford University; Alani Orantes-Verduzco: UCLA; Alyssa Lopez-Zazueta: Stanford University; Anahi Rosas: UCSB; Krystal Gonzalez: Berkeley; Yvonne Gonzalez; Martinez: UC Davis; Sheccid Rodríguez: UCSB; and in front: Grace Garvey: UCLA; Jay Ramos: Stanford University; Camila Gomez: applying in Fall 2027; and Skylar Roberts-Vermillo: Berkeley.