Santa Clara University

10/03/2026

Before Kyle Pietrzyk ’16, M.S. ’18 was building digital models of porous materials to help create better batteries and clean up pollutants in soil, he was a mechanical engineering student at Santa Clara University with a simple love of math.

Under the mentorship of professors like On Shun Pak, Kyle learned how to turn that passion into research that could help tackle major environmental challenges. Pak gave him the tools to ask his own questions, while working in a real lab to explore how to answer them.

That individual attention helped shape Kyle’s path. Inspired by the professors who invested in him, he recently joined Princeton University as a professor, where he’ll help support the next generation of innovators.

Progress needs people like Kyle, ready to pay it forward.

| Santa Clara University's School of Engineering

10/02/2026

A PBS correspondent. A physicist using AI to explore dark matter. Meet some of the news scholars to join Santa Clara University. 🎓

Sixty-eight new faculty joined our community of teacher-scholars this fall. They arrive at a university ranked among the top 20 in the nation for undergraduate teaching, and they’re the reason it keeps earning that spot: leading scholars who bring research informed by Silicon Valley into the learning experience.

Meet four of them:

Over the last 10 years, Santa Clara University has ascended the ranks of the top colleges in the nation. Since joining the U.S. News and World Report national category in 2020, Santa Clara has consistently been a top 60 school in the “Best Colleges” rankings, appearing at No. 55 in 2027. This mo...

10/01/2026

Santa Clara University has been named a top 20 private school for career placement and a “Best Value College” by The Princeton Review SAT & ACT. This recognition highlights Santa Clara’s focus on experiential learning, career preparation, and networking opportunities, all driving strong post-graduation salaries and early career success for its alumni.

Three in four Santa Clara students participate in an internship as an undergraduate, providing valuable hands-on experience and one of the strongest predictors of career success, according to Dylan Houle, executive director of Santa Clara University’s Career Center.

“Santa Clara is delivering on the promise of higher education for our students and for the needs of a rapidly evolving economy. After graduating, students launch their careers in a wide array of industries and thrive,” said Houle.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara also connects students with one of the world’s most dynamic technology and business ecosystems. Top employers of Santa Clara graduates include Google, Meta, Apple, Cisco, NVIDIA, ServiceNow, and more throughout the Bay Area.

Read more:

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 29, 2027—Santa Clara University has been named a top 20 private school for career placement and a “Best Value College” by Princeton Review. These annual rankings evaluate universities across many metrics, including return on investment, graduation rates, and career o...

09/27/2026

Amielynn Abellera '04 voices Raissa's mom in DreamWorks Animation’s "Forgotten Island," in theaters this weekend. Fans of HBO Max’s "The Pitt" know her as Nurse Perlah.

Her Santa Clara University story began on a campus tour with her dad. After a walk through the rose gardens, she sat on the fountain in front of Benson and told him, "I think this is it, Pop. I think this is the place."

She grew up in a Filipino immigrant family full of doctors and nurses and planned on medical school. She studied psychology at Santa Clara, did cancer research at Stanford after graduation, and spent her nights and weekends performing in San Francisco theater. Eventually, she chose the stage.

Her advice for students still finding their direction is to "allow the path to be messier."

Read her full story: https://news.scu.edu/amielynn-abellera-04-is-thrilled-to-be-here/

Amielynn Abellera ’04 is just as cool as you thought she’d be. Zooming from her sunlit dining table, a fridge full of children’s artwork behind her, she’s the epitome of L.A.-chic in a black tank top and fringy bob. She’s breezy and friendly, commiserating over the buzz of an electric leaf...

09/26/2026

09/26/2026

Jason Buenrostro ’09 was the first in his family to go to college. Years later, he became the first Santa Clara University graduate awarded a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, known as “the genius grant.”

At Santa Clara, he double majored in biology and engineering and joined the student EMT team, which he credits with teaching him leadership.

As a Ph.D. student at Stanford, he pioneered a now widely used technique to study how cells regulate gene expression. At the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, he leads the Biology of Adversity Project, research on how hardships like stress and food insecurity leave molecular marks on the body and affect long-term health.

“For a lot of us who grew up poor or are first gen, we think a lot about why we made it when some of our friends weren't able to achieve some of their dreams,” Buenrostro says. “Putting all of that into context and bringing it into the conversation of science is important. The work that we do keeps me motivated and passionate.”

Progress needs compassionate people like Jason who are committed to using their work to help communities in need.

Watch to learn more about Jason’s journey and what continues to motivate his work to improve health and wellness.

🔗 https://go.scu.edu/4iPXPOK

After graduating from Santa Clara University, Jason Buenrostro ’09 ...

09/25/2026

Good morning, Santa Clara. ☀️

A new day, a fresh start, and plenty of Bronco moments ahead.

09/25/2026

Santa Clara University is expanding its California Promise program to ensure cost is never a barrier for California families, advancing its long-term goal of meeting 100% of need for every student.

What does this mean? Starting Fall 2027, Santa Clara will cover 100% of the demonstrated need for all eligible first-year California students with family incomes of $150,000 or less.

The expanded program also includes California transfer students. Admitted transfers from families with incomes of $150,000 or less will receive scholarships of at least $35,000, with additional financial aid available based on individual circumstances.

“Our goal is to ensure every accepted student has the financial support they need to benefit from a Santa Clara University education,” says Eva Blanco Masias, vice president for enrollment management.

Read the full announcement about the expanded California Promise program: https://go.scu.edu/4jnVaMh

09/24/2026

Week one is underway for 1,619 first-year students and a record 287 transfer students, the newest Broncos at Santa Clara University.

First-year class:
📬 Chosen from nearly 20,000 applicants
📍 44 states and 18 countries or regions
🎓 18% first-generation college students
✝️ 38 Cristo Rey Network grads chose Santa Clara, more than any other U.S. university
🏆 10 Los Angeles-area students on full-tuition scholarships through The Posse Foundation
🌟 8% graduated from Jesuit high schools

Transfer class:
🌉 From over 134 colleges, including 38 California Community Colleges
📈 Chosen from a record 1,359 applications

Bronco family: who made Santa Clara feel like home for you? Share in the comments. ❤️

🔗 Read the full story: https://go.scu.edu/4y9NEct

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026— In a joyful annual ritual, Santa Clara University welcomed over 1,900 new first-year and transfer students during its campus-wide Welcome Weekend. Over three days, dozens of campus units and organizations held open houses; students moved into residence halls an...