🎓 Congratulations to Vrisika Chauhan, who graduated this June with degrees in dance and psychology.
Vrisika began training in Odissi (Indian classical dance) at the age of 11. As a student in UC San Diego’s Department of Theatre and Dance, she conducted research and learned how to choreograph new works.
Vrisika just completed her dance honors thesis, which included a written paper along with a choreographed work for the New Directions showcase. “I truly valued the opportunity to experience and learn how theory informs my choreographic work as an embodied storyteller and practitioner,” she shared. “These projects helped me ground myself in my artistic work and be inside the creative process for over a year, allowing me to expand and deepen my research, which I am extremely grateful for!”
Reflecting on her time at UC San Diego, Vrisika explains the biggest lessons she learned is to follow her passion. “When I came in, I was driven to do things other people wanted me to do; over time I learned how to find my voice and listen to my heart. I have grown a lot as a human being, especially in the ways I show up for myself and my community. Being around people who truly radiated kindness, confidence, and compassion has helped me become a better person and leave college as the most confident version of myself.”
Following graduation, Vrisika plans to continue pursuing dance through both training and teaching in San Diego. We wish her all the best as she continues to cultivate her art form and spread joy in the community!
UC San Diego School of Arts & Humanities
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UC San Diego School of Arts and Humanities
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🎓✨️Congratulations to Ricky Novaes de Oliviera, who has graduated with an MFA degree in literature!
As he concludes his time at UC San Diego, we asked Ricky what is the most interesting thing about his area of study, the biggest lesson he learned and what his future plans are after graduation.
🎉 We wish you all the best, Ricky, in your future endeavors! We hope you will stay connected to the School of Arts and Humanities.
🎓✨️Congratulations to Nathan Dowd, who has graduated with a degree in philosophy!
As he concludes his time at UC San Diego, we asked Nathan the advice he would give his younger self, the biggest lesson he learned and what his future plans are after graduation.
🎉 We wish you all the best, Nathan, on your future endeavors! We hope you will stay connected to the School of Arts and Humanities.
🎓✨️Congratulations to Kathryn Kerr, who is graduating with a double major in history (with a concentration in European studies) and German Studies.
On the eve of commencement, we asked Kathryn the advice she would give her younger self, the biggest lesson she learned while at UC San Diego and what her future plans are after graduation.
🎉 We wish you all the best, Kathryn, on your future endeavors! We hope you will stay connected to the School of Arts and Humanities.
06/03/2026
On Saturday, June 6, join us for a full day of storytelling through dance.
The day will begin with a showcase of UC San Diego's dance teams that will culminate in a dance battle. Nearly 300 students will perform at V12ION (pronounced "vision"), a new event led by the student organization Division 12. Free and open to all, the showcase will take place from 1-4 p.m. at the Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego.
Following at 8 p.m., the Department of Theatre and Dance presents the annual New Directions performance, which features original choreography by nine dance majors. Their pieces share a range of meaningful messages, from the path to overcoming self-doubt to how desire can be channeled into personal strength and how to process the loss of a loved one. New Directions performances will also be held at 8 p.m. on June 4 and 5. Tickets are available at theatre.ucsd.edu/performancesandevents.
The Day of Dance celebration grows connections among UC San Diego’s dance community while engaging audiences through the power of embodied storytelling. This new tradition joins dozens of arts and performance events across campus that bring people together through shared creative experiences. Learn more at arts.ucsd.edu.
Photos by Erik Jepsen, University Communications.
Students across UC San Diego love to dance.
Weekly Connection Jams, led by the Department of Theatre and Dance with ArtPower at UC San Diego, create a space for radical joy with collective movement and play. One of the most recent ones featured a dance battle led by dr. grace shinhae jun and Joseph "Dyno" Corrales. These free events are open to all – no dance experience needed – throughout the academic year.
On Saturday, UC San Diego’s talented dance teams will be showcased at V12ION (pronounced “vision”). Nearly 300 students who have a passion for dance will perform at the Epstein Family Amphitheater from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. The event is organized by the Division 12 Dance Team, a project team described as a home base for students who wanted a space to “inhale, exhale and dance.” The showcase and dance battle are free to attend and open to all.
05/21/2026
Congratulations to Nancy Cartwright, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at UC San Diego, on receiving the 2026 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Humanities.
Cartwright is a leading figure in the philosophy of science in practice, an approach that examines how science actually works across laboratories, institutions and policy settings. Her scholarship has challenged overly simple accounts of scientific knowledge, arguing that real-world understanding often depends on multiple models, methods and forms of expertise.
Presented by the BBVA Foundation, the international Frontiers of Knowledge Award recognizes singular impact across eight categories: basic sciences, biomedicine, environmental sciences and climate change, social sciences, economics, humanities, music and opera. Each honoree receives a €400,000 award.
The program celebrates knowledge as a global public good and highlights its role in addressing the defining challenges of our time, broadening individual worldviews and advancing human understanding. To date, 34 Frontiers of Knowledge laureates have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize.
Read more about Cartwright and the award: https://bit.ly/4ulf1yp.
SUNDAY, MAY 17: The Arcades Music Festival will feature over 300 student musicians with over 10 hours of live performances – ranging from jazz and chamber music to rock and opera – happening throughout UC San Diego’s Conrad Prebys Music Center.
📆 Date: Sunday, May 17
🕣 Time: 12:30 – 7 p.m. (with a new After Hours DJ set from 8 p.m. to midnight!)
🌎 Location: Conrad Prebys Music Center, UC San Diego
🥁 Price: Free, no rsvp needed
✨️ Visit music.ucsd.edu for more information.
ID: Footage of student musicians performing from the inaugural 2025 Arcades Music Festival, including drummers, chamber music, rappers and more.
05/06/2026
Two of our history alumni were recognized at the recent UC San Diego Illustrious Alumni Awards in New York City. The annual event celebrates the achievements of those who lead with curiosity, prioritize the common good and reflect the best of the Triton community.
David Marchick earned a degree in history in 1988 and now serves as dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University. His career has included serving as COO of the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, where he supported global COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing, and held multiple senior roles in the Clinton administration. He also spent 12 years at Carlyle where he served on the firm's management committee and helped take the firm public.
Robert Koenigsberger, class of 1987, earned degrees in history and political science. With nearly four decades of investment experience, he founded Gramercy Funds Management in 1998 with the vision of building a global, institutional investment management firm focused on emerging markets. His career includes senior leadership roles at Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch, where he led sovereign debt restructurings and traded emerging markets debt across New York, London and Hong Kong.
We congratulate Robert and David on their impactful work and are grateful for their continued connection to UC San Diego!
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How can chamber orchestra, rap, jazz, and alternative rock share the same stage?
Find out on Sunday, May 17 as the Conrad Prebys Music Center transforms into an immersive 10-hour festival of undergraduate music, organized entirely by students.
Presented by UC San Diego Music, the Arcades Music Festival showcases the breadth of talent among the undergraduate community. Programming, logistics, marketing, administration and performances are all student-led, with guidance from Professor Steven Schick, who teaches a two-part course on how to execute a music festival and leads the student steering committee.
Join us and discover new music from up-and-coming artists across campus — you don't want to miss it!
🎟️ Free to attend
📅 Sunday, May 17, 2026
🕧 12:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Conrad Prebys Music Center, UC San Diego
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