Everett Program: Annual Report 2023
Empowering Communities Through Tech: A Year of Innovation, Advocacy, and Collaboration in Action
Letter from Executive Director
All All that you touch, You Change. All that you Change, Changes you. The only lasting truth Is Change.
I am reminded of that quote from the book The Parable of the Sower every time I walk into the Everett Program offices, where we have a photo of the author Octavia Butler on the wall for inspiration. It seems especially appropriate as I reflect on the 25 year history and the incredible journey we’ve been on, from what the OG’ers (original GIIPers) built in the beginning to our program today, reflected in this annual report. The ability of the program to grow, develop and adapt with the changing times for the last quarter century is a testament to the durability of our community-centered learning environment and the power of our student-centered collaborative governance model. We are stronger together–students, fellows, executive fellows, faculty, alumni, community partners, funders and more–and each year I get inspired by the changes the new cohort of students, fellows, and executive fellows bring to the program.
This year, it has been especially exciting to welcome a new Visiting Assistant Professor! Dorothy Santos is a Filipino American storyteller, poet, artist and scholar, with a Ph.D. in Film and Digital Media with a designated emphasis in Computational Media. In addition to her academic expertise, she also brings years of professional experience at the intersection of technology, arts and social change, including as Executive Director (and now Board Member) of the Processing Foundation (who’s mission includes the belief that “some of the most radical futures and innovative technologies are being built by communities…pushed to the margins in dominant tech”) and in helping build the Collective Action School , on online experimental school devoted to remaking the tech industry from below. She has integrated seamlessly into the program, understanding intuitively the collaborative culture we’ve built. It has truly been a joy to learn from her insights, innovations, and contributions to our classes and programs already in the short time she’s been here.
As I think about the next 25 years, I’m reminded of another quote from a completely different source (attributed to Socrates):
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
This spirit of hope, creativity and creation has been a constant in the program since its beginning, and will hopefully help steer us through the changes of the coming decades.
Warmly,
Chris Benner
Reflecting on 25 Years of Everett
At the Everett Program for Technology and Social Change, our mission is clear: cultivating a new generation of leaders harnessing university resources, collaborating globally with communities, and leveraging technology to tackle pressing social issues.
We are dedicated to fostering innovative, sustainable solutions deeply rooted in principles of social justice and environmental regeneration. Through a holistic approach, we empower student leaders to navigate the intersection of technology and societal change, ensuring that our endeavors address immediate challenges and pave the way for a more equitable and thriving future for all.
Take a look at how we got here!
1998
Students created the Global Information Internship Program (GIIP) with the intent of exploring tools for supporting those who are marginalized as a result of globalization.
2001
GIIP is composed of labs and classes that are run by student leaders known as Fellows. GIIP became a series of 3 unit classes.
2009
GIIP students run a successful campaign to get referendum fees from the entire student body that were to be used to support GIIP student projects and develop the course series into a minor.
2013
GIIP is renamed the "Everett Program" after Dr. Paul Lubeck and UCSC alumni, Mark Headley, create Dorothy E. Everett Endowed Chair.
2015
After faculty founder Paul Lubeck retires, Chris Benner becomes the Director of the program.
2019
A new dedicated teaching faculty leads Everett's largest fellows cohort ever.
2020
The COVID-19 Pandemic causes the entire program to move to remote learning.
2023
After 25 years of student projects, we reflect on our journey of cultivating leaders who harness technology to address pressing social issues. Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate the forthcoming years, envisioning a continuation of student-led change-making initiatives and sustained impact on communities worldwide. Additionally, we embark on a new chapter by actively seeking a permanent teaching position to further strengthen our program and expand our capacity to shape future generations of change agents.
2023 Highlights
Projects
Among these ventures stands a cutting-edge web tool empowering the assessment of nonviolent activist's efficacy. Additionally, a poignant video project captured the resilience of indigenous Oaxacan parents as they fought against systemic racism within the educational sphere, highlighting the importance of grassroots organizing. Our students leveraged platforms like WordPress, TikTok, Instagram, Adobe Premiere, iMovie, and arcGIS.
Explore the sidecar to the right to learn more about all our student projects!
Fellows Cohort
Everett Fellows are students who have completed their initial projects and continue on in the program as peer instructors, leaders, and mentors. Fellows act as project guides and tech guides for our new cohort of students, and work hard to maintain the Everett office as a community home-base.
Executive Fellowship
Everett Executive Fellows are recent graduates who continue with the program as full time staff members. They are devoted to maintaining the fellowship, supporting students through the course series, and using their experiences to mentor fellows.
In Fall 2023, we welcomed Katerina Bajaj as Everett's newest executive fellow. As a student, Kat developed a storymap chronicling the history of racial injustice in Santa Cruz, and as a fellow she led our students through a digital design lab as a Tech Guide. Now, Kat continues to support this year's cohort of tech guides, as well as overseeing event planning and fellow management.
Isabelle Aguirre is continuing on in their second year as an Executive Fellow, where she focuses on leading the Gateways and Impactathons projects, as well as coordinating with Everett's Global Advisory Board.
Phoenix Woodall is also continuing her work as an Executive Fellow for the second year. She's focusing on tech management, partner outreach, event planning, and project team support.
Introducing Our New Visiting Professor
A storyteller, artist, scholar, and catalyst for change, Dorothy Santos embodies our commitment to technology-driven societal evolution. Her dedication to bridging disciplines and fostering inclusive dialogue elevates our program’s ethos, propelling us toward a future where technology serves as a catalyst for positive social transformation.
Dorothy had an amazing first quarter leading our 196G cohort through a course filled with reflection and celebration. This quarter, she'll be continuing on to teach 107A, introducing a brand new cohort to their Everett project experience.
Student Showcase
Everett Program's Fifth Annual Student Showcase was held at Merrill Cultural Center on December 8, 2023.
Everett Program's 2024 student cohort presented the outcomes and lessons of their projects in collaboration with eight amazing community partners.
Filmmaker and organizer Thanh Tran gave the keynote speech for the event, highlighting the need to work in tandem with impacted communities.
Use the sidebar to watch the showcase video, and click the playlist in the top right corner to access the second half of the projects.
Global Advisory Board
Comprised of thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, and folks from all walks of life, the Global Advisory Board (GAB) consults on high level strategy, guidance, and fundraising.
Fellows meet with the board once a quarter for stimulating conversations surrounding the future of the Everett Program, social justice, and tech.
Thank you to our board members for your continued expertise and support! We look forward to incorporating the board into more events in the future.
Looking Forward to 2024
This year, Everett staff and fellows have connected with ten organizations that work within a wide range of locations, programming areas, and social circumstances. Our 2024 student cohort will create their projects in collaboration with the partners below. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter to follow their progress!
Finances
The Everett Program staff, students, and fellows extend a THANK-YOU to our generous community of supporters. All of our donors are listed here as an acknowledgment of your incredible importance to our program.
Enabling the future ($25,000+)
Mary Regan McGill and Ho Nam
Mark Headley and Christina Pehl
Excelerating Everett
Chris and Gwynn Benner
Leela Branston
Himelda Briones
Peter Coha and Vicki Nowark
Allen Gunn
Luther Jackson
Lauren Kerr
Kyla Kupferstein
William Lin
Susan Marchiona
Dorothy Santos
Dulce Santos
Katharyne Mitchell and Matt Sparke
Helen Toloza
Rebecca Wage
Driving Change
Eric Abercrombie, Zoe Abram, Alexandra Pascher Aguirre, Giselle Aguirre, Isabelle Frances Aguirre, Anna Altman, Patty Angus, Kiana Ardalan, Cinzia Arruzza, Julie Artz, Katerina Pallavi Bajaj, Percy Bajaj, Priyanka Bajaj, Rajeev Bajaj, Mary Bakija, Gillian Balk, Jill Margaret Ball, Macy Bartlett, Nicole Basile, Morgan Colleen Bishop, Alexa F. Blair, Madeline Bolander, Ammon Boone, Isabella Borgeson, Jennifer Boulette, Brandon Bramble, Brandon Bramble, Kenneth Brydon, Daniela Cardenas, Amy Carlson, Caroline Cha, Bella Mia Chairez, Eurie Chung, Gavin Coltharp, Deborah Conti, Karina Cruz Rosales, Aidan Daly, Tyson Damon, Daniella De Los Rios, Emily Nicole De Los Santos, Holly Delany Cole, Joseph Derouin, Emile DeWeaver, Karina Elizabeth Diaz Alvarez, Melissa Diaz, Molly C. Dick, Ben Draa, Jeremy Dufrane, Emily Eaton, Joseph Edwards, James Eldridge, Nolvia Eldridge, Jenny Espinoza Marcus, Sophia Espinoza, Kyra Skye Eyerman, Lilie Waldner Finley, Suzanne Fischer, Joseph Fitzgerald, Bruce Fritz, Inga Gaensler-Debs, Adrienne Gaffney, Tejas Gala, Fernando Angel Gallardo, Megan Gannon, Ainsley Gentile, Connor Gentile, Neela Gentile, Ozzy Goodman, Charles Gray, Kenia Guzman, Emily Harris, Olivia Heffernan, Chris Ross Hein, Cameron Herrera, Rio Alegra Herrera, John Daniel Hillard, Anne Hillman, Julia Hotz, Robert Inchausti, Leslie Jacobs, Laura Jimenez, Ashley Johnson, Emily Jordan, Max Kennedy, Sean Kenney, Jo Kreiter, Claire Lee, Jessica Liston, Rebecca Litvinsky, Aaron Wing Louie, Kennard Love, Maryam M, Diana Madden, Megan Madden, Michael Andrew Madden, Dre Management, George Edward Marshall, Sara Martinez de Osaba, Abigail Masters, Emily Masters, Kara McClymont, Rebecca McCray, Marisol I. Medina-Cadena, Judy Meikle, Emma Mejia, Ivanna Alessandra Mendez, Logan Middleton, Diane Minnite, Richard Moreno, Zoe Mullery, Yuvisela C. Munoz, Allison Nonko, Emily Nonko, Jerry Nonko, Edda Osaba, Pilar Osaba, Ellison Osterhout, Tessa Paoli, Evan Park, Myriam Elizabeth Parker, Diego Pascher, Avni Patel, Lupita Perez, Manuel Perez Jr., Maximillian Xavier Perez, Mia Elise Perez, Mia Elise Perez, Brian Phaophongsavath, Rogelio Ponce Lara, Anna Pons, Rebecca Rabkin, Nicholas Raiyawa, Meredith Roche, Danica Rodarmel, Alicia Rodriguez, Simelia Downey Rogers, Daniel Rouland, Reem Mahmood Saleem, Jessica Schulberg, Emma Schwartz, Anthony Sedillo, Naima Shalhoub, Sophie Kathryn Shaw, Ryan Allen Shook, Rainbow Sialiano, Fiona Sifontes, Janessa Solis, Matthew Sparke, Steve Spillman, Alan M. Springer, Valerie Stahl, Jillian Steinhauer, Ruby Stevenson, Sierra Stout, Caleb Strobel, Kassidy Tarala-Burns, Bridget Terry, Cori Thomas, Thanh Tran, Derrick Alexander Valencia-Murillo, Dieuwe van Amerongen, Thu Vo, Aurelia Vrandecic, Lewis Wallace, Marie Warchol, Rothiett Watts, Michelle Webster-Hein, Nicole Weeks, Antwan Williams, Chanda Williams, Alexandra Williamson, Phoenix Eileen Woodall, Rachel Zarrow
Thank you!
2021-22 Revenue and Expenses
2022-23 Revenue and Expenses
Support the Everett Program!
It is with the generous support of our community at UCSC and beyond that we are able to empower student change-makers to create lasting impacts around the world. We want to extend our gratitude to you, our community, for the lasting love and care we have felt over the past 25 years.
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