December 19, 2025
Dear Members of the UC Santa Barbara Community,
As the winter break approaches, Eleni and I want to extend our heartfelt appreciation for our campus community. You have welcomed us with open arms, and we couldn’t be more grateful for everyone here at UC Santa Barbara.
Looking back at our first quarter, we find ourselves reflecting on our moments together with you. It’s been inspiring to hear your aspirations, goals, and plans for the future of our extraordinary university. Our journey together is off to a great start, and we’ve enjoyed learning more about what makes UC Santa Barbara one of a kind. We have been especially touched by the strength, compassion, and values of our Gaucho community as we come together to support one another and make a difference in our society through research, education, and public service.
Our faculty and researchers are leading the way in the creation of knowledge and understanding. Our academic engagement with the world addresses societal needs responsibly and with distinction. Our commitment to inquiry and discovery is equaled only by our dedication to educating the next generation of scholars, researchers, creators, professionals, and leaders.
Our staff are working diligently year-round to ensure our students can live, study, and thrive; that classrooms, labs, performance spaces, and studios enable collaboration, creativity, and discovery; and that our grounds and facilities are welcoming and safe. Thanks in large part to you, UC Santa Barbara has, once again, been named the best place to work in Santa Barbara County.
And, of course, our students! Your enthusiasm, ambition, and determination breathe energy and life into our campus community. Our mission is to ensure that your education at our internationally recognized university sparks your intellectual curiosity and provides you with the critical-thinking skills necessary to realize your dreams.
Thank you for all that you do to make UC Santa Barbara such an amazing community.
Eleni and I send you our warmest wishes for a peaceful and joyous time with your family and friends during the holidays, and all the best for the New Year!
With gratitude,
Dennis Assanis, Chancellor