Support Chicana and Chicano Studies
As one of the first trailblazers that brought Chicana and Chicano Studies into academia, we help cultivate the next generation of scholars who contribute to growing interdisciplinary scholarship with Chicanx culture and history as the basis of our research. By investing in us, you help future generations reach the next stage in growing the Chicanx identity and community within higher education and institutions.
The department appreciates gifts of support in all amounts.
Below are some ways to donate to Chicana and Chicano Studies:
Online:When asked “Which fund would you like to support?” |
Mail:By mailing a check and a giving form to: Office of Development Under the "Please use my gift:" section, specify Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies or any other funds listed below |
Phone:By calling 805-893-GIVE and letting them know you would like your gift to go to the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies or any other funds listed below |
Support the Albert Castanon Fellowship in Chicana and Chicano Studies
Your gift to the Albert Castanon Fellowship in Chicana and Chicano Studies helps nurture the next generation of scholars, advocates, and community leaders in the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department at UC Santa Barbara. This fellowship provides vital support to graduate students whose research and work deepen our understanding of Chicana/o histories, cultures, and communities. By contributing, you honor the legacy of Albert Castanon and invest in a more inclusive and informed future.
This gift shall be used to support graduate students in the Chicana/o Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Support the Maria Duke dos Santos Memorial Fund for Chicana and Chicano Studies
The Maria Duke dos Santos Memorial Fund honors Maria’s commitment to scholarship and community by supporting Chicana and Chicano Studies graduate students at UC Santa Barbara. This fellowship provides essential travel assistance for students presenting their research at academic conferences, ensuring their voices and scholarship reach broader audiences. Your contribution helps empower emerging scholars to share their work, build connections, and advance the field of Chicana/o Studies.
This fellowship is to be awarded to Chicana/Chicano Studies graduate students to assist them with their travel fees when attending a conference with the intent to present a scholarly paper.
Support the Ismael “Mayo” de la Rocha Endowed Scholarship Fund
The Ismael “Mayo” de la Rocha Endowed Scholarship Fund honors Mayo’s lifelong commitment to education, equity, and opportunity. This scholarship supports UC Santa Barbara undergraduate students with financial need who are majoring or minoring in Chicana/o Studies. Preference may be given to Dream Scholars and students pursuing studies in Medical Humanities. Recipients, known as Ismael “Mayo” de la Rocha Endowed Scholars, carry forward his legacy of resilience and service. Your gift helps provide critical financial support, opening doors for students to thrive academically and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
This scholarship is established in memory of Ismael "Mayo" de la Rocha, a community leader and beloved professor at Ventura Community College for over 40 years. As an alumnus of UC Santa Barbara, Mayo was a student leader who significantly contributed to the founding of Chicana/o Studies and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), and dedicated the rest of his career to the advancement of the Latinx and Chicana/o community. During his time at Ventura College, Mayo served as both Dean and Department Chair for the Social Sciences and Humanities Department, and the faculty advisor to MEChA for more than four decades.
Support the Chicana & Chicano Studies General Fund
The Chicana & Chicano Studies General Fund at UC Santa Barbara fuels our mission to educate, inspire, and empower. Your gift provides flexible resources that strengthen every aspect of the department—supporting scholarships, enhancing classroom experiences, advancing faculty and student research, and building community programs that connect campus with the broader world. Importantly, this fund also allows us to offer emergency financial assistance to students facing unexpected hardships, helping them remain focused on their studies during challenging times. Contributions help us respond quickly to emerging opportunities and needs, ensuring our students and faculty have the tools they need to thrive. Together, we can continue advancing the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Chicana/o communities for generations to come.
If you wish your donation to be directed toward a specific purpose, please indicate this to the Development Office when making your gift.
Support the Luis Leal Endowed Chair Fund
About Dr. Luis Leal
Dr. Luis Leal was an esteemed scholar in literary studies, and was a key figure in formalizing the study of Mexican, Latin American, and Chicano literature. From 1959 to 1975, he taught at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where he published papers calling for the concept of Chicano literature. He arrived at UC Santa Barbara in 1876 where he remained as a visiting professor until 2004.
As a professor, he was one of the first to incorporate the study of authors from the Latin American Boom into the curriculum, which include key authors such as Gabriel García Márquez, Carlos Fuentes, and Julio Cortázar. During his 50 years of his academic career, he has published more than 250 articles and 30 books.
Luis Leal Endowed Chair
Professor Aída Hurtado, Luis Leal Endowed Chair
In April 1995 the Luis Leal Endowed Chair was created to recruit and maintain academic experience and leadership at the highest level within the field. In line with the prestige and distinction Don Luis brought to the campus as a researcher and teacher, the chairship was established as a joint appointment between the Department of Chicana/o Studies and the Chicano Studies Institute.
Professor Aída Hurtado, formerly a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, currently holds the Luis Leal Endowed Chair. Prof. Hurtado served as chair of the Department of Chicana/o Studies upon her arrival in 2010, and now teaches courses on Chicana Feminism, Chicanas/os/Latinos/as educational engagement, and the Department’s graduate course in methods. She has received many awards and recognition over the years; most recently, she was honored by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education in 2013 with the award for Latino/a Faculty: Research/Teaching in Higher Education, Research Institutions.
Learn more about Dr. Luis Leal:
Specific Gifts and Support Opportunities
If you would like to give a specific gift or learn more on how to support our department, please contact our Department Chair or the Business Officer.
We are grateful to the many alumni and friends of the department who have given to us in the past to support the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department!