Groups

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The Afghan Student Association is open to anyone interested in having fun and meeting new people! We want to promote the unique culture, history and traditions of Afghanistan, unite the local Afghan community both on and off-campus, educate the student body on social issues pertaining to Afghanistan and support the human rights of Afghan people. And, of course, we will be having lots of fun Afghan-themed events like potlucks on the dastarkhan, henna nights, Eid and Nowroz banquets, and Bollywood watch parties! We hope to see you there!!

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A community of UC Santa Barbara students researching and discussing the technical and political challenges of AI safety.

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💬 Join discussions - Open conversations on AI safety topics
🔬 Work on projects - Research in alignment & interpretability
🎤 Attend talks - Guest speakers & workshops

Please join our Discord and social channels linked here: https://linktr.ee/ucsbaisafety

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AHS’s mission is to identify, educate, and launch young men and women into foreign policy and national security careers imbued with the Hamiltonian perspective of strong and principled American leadership in global affairs.

Our impact is far-reaching. With more than 80 academic chapters across U.S. college campuses and professional chapters in New York City and Washington, D.C., AHS has established a significant national footprint. Since our founding in 2010, we’ve organized thousands of events engaging more than 80,000 attendees in crucial discussions on foreign policy and national security.

By bridging the gap between academia and the professional world, AHS serves as a catalyst for career advancement in the foreign policy sphere.

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Promote further interest in students pursuing careers in education.
Provide members with opportunities for development in personal growth and professional competence.
Provide opportunities for gaining an understanding of the history, ethics and programs of the education profession.
Provide opportunities for participating in cooperative work on the problems of the profession and the community.
Provide professional membership on the local, state and national levels during the preparation period for a career in education
Strive for higher standards of teacher preparation.
Strive to unravel systems of white supremacy within education and create equitable and justice-driven schools

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We are the official UCSB organization representing the California Democratic Party. Our goal is to fight for progressive Democratic candidates and values throughout UCSB, Santa Barbara, and California.

The Campus Democrats register voters, volunteer for local campaigns, go door to door in Isla Vista to talk to students about the issues affecting them, and much more. We're also a super fun, active and social group.

We host speakers such as State Senator Monique Limón, State Assemblymember Gregg Hart, County Supervisor Laura Capps, candidates running for local office, various UCSB professors, and other community activists.

Membership Benefits
Campus Dems provides its members with unique access to local politicians and political opportunities through hands-on experience working with campaigns and advocating for progressive causes. Our members have used their experience with Campus Democrats to apply and work for CA State Assembly offices, Congressional offices in the district and on Capitol Hill, political think tanks, national presidential campaigns, and more.

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CivicRoots is dedicated to increasing civic education among K–12 and college students by equipping them with the knowledge and tools to understand how government works at the local, state, and national levels. We aim to demystify the legislative process, the election system, and the structure of government so that students can make informed decisions and engage meaningfully in their communities. In an age of overwhelming political noise, CivicRoots aims to help students cut through the confusion by empowering them to understand the process for themselves. Through interactive programming, real-world engagement, and policy literacy, we nurture a generation of active citizens who can confidently navigate public life, not through partisanship, but through civic understanding.

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This is UC Santa Barbara's official class group! It is a space for you to connect with other students from your year, engage in conversations about student life, ask questions, share concerns, engage in campus programming, and learn about co-curricular activities.

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This is UC Santa Barbara's official class group! It is a space for you to connect with other students from your year, engage in conversations about student life, ask questions, share concerns, engage in campus programming, and learn about co-curricular activities.

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This is UC Santa Barbara's official class group! It is a space for you to connect with other students from your year, engage in conversations about student life, ask questions, share concerns, engage in campus programming, and learn about co-curricular activities.

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This is UC Santa Barbara's official class group! It is a space for you to connect with other students from your year, engage in conversations about student life, ask questions, share concerns, engage in campus programming, and learn about co-curricular activities.

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The mission of UCSB College Republicans is to create a space for substantive dialogue regarding the most pressing contemporary issues. All are welcome to come and share their ideas. We meet in the State Street room in the UCEN every Tuesday 7-8.

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The Debate Team at UCSB is an organization where students can learn, practice, and compete in several forms of academic debate. Students who are a part of this organization are given the opportunity to compete in tournaments with other colleges and universities throughout the country. This develops public speaking, communication, critical thinking, research, and persuasion skills, which is an essential skill set beyond the college realm.

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A great community, lots of fun, travel to interesting places, learn valuable communication skills.

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The mission is to create a learning environment for students to learn more about international affairs and careers. The club seeks to foster critical thinking skills, discussion across ideological spectrums, and prepare students for future careers in international relations.

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The club will provide a non-partisan space for UCSB students that want to engage in foreign policy workshops, discuss global issues, and learn more about careers in diplomacy and international relations. Diplomacy Society is also planning events to invite professionals in international fields, such as diplomats in residence, diplomats from foreign consulates, and professors to give talks on topics of national security and other global issues.

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Feminist Movie Club aims to bring people together to watch films through a feminist lens and facilitate discussion around said movies.

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At Future Leaders in Government, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of informed, skilled, and principled leaders in the realm of domestic politics and international diplomacy.

Our mission is to provide a dynamic platform for aspiring political scientists, politicians, and future diplomats to engage in thought-provoking discussions and practical training, ultimately preparing them to tackle the complex challenges of our ever-evolving global political landscape.

Our club is founded on two core principles:

1). Fostering Intellectual Engagement: We offer a stimulating environment for our members to delve into weekly freeform discussions about the latest events in both domestic and international politics.
These conversations serve as a bridge between the academic theories learned in lectures and their real-world applications.
By drawing on the knowledge acquired through course materials, members gain a more sophisticated and applicable understanding of the intricacies of politics, policy, and governance.

2). Developing Practical Expertise: We are dedicated to equipping our members with hands-on experience through weekly training sessions and competitions that simulate the real-life issues and processes of being a diplomat or politician.
Through these activities, our members gain the necessary hard and soft skills required for careers in diplomacy, domestic politics, geopolitics, and in-depth political research.

Whether it's achieving the geo-strategic goals of the international community as a nation-state with a team of three, or emulating the role of a politician tackling their constituents' needs, the goal of this club is to empower our members to work collaboratively to devise innovative solutions to pressing geopolitical issues and the needs of our nation.

Future Leaders in Government believes that through rigorous engagement in course material and real-world training targeting the necessary skills, we can become the leaders of tomorrow.
We encourage critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to ethical leadership, preparing our members to navigate the complex challenges of the political arena and contribute positively to our society and planet.

Join us in our mission to inspire, educate, and empower future leaders who will drive meaningful change in all levels of domestic government, international diplomacy, and political theory!

Membership Benefits
Critical Thinking: Members are encouraged to engage in thought-provoking discussions about politics and diplomacy.

Research: Through practical training and simulations, members gain research skills through gathering information and analyzing data effectively on subjects highly related to their future careers.

Debate: Participation in debates helps members refine persuasive communication and argumentation skills in both competitive and casual environments.

Negotiation: Practical experience in negotiation exercises hones members' abilities to find common ground and reach mutually beneficial agreements that are essential to real-world politics.

Diplomacy: Members learn the art of diplomacy and being a diplomat, which involves tact, flexibility, quick thinking, and effective communication under great pressure in international and domestic contexts.

Policy Analysis: Discussions and simulations enable members to delve into policy analysis, the formation of their own opinions, and understanding the intricacies that go into policy-making.

Global Awareness: By engaging in international political discussions, members develop a broader perspective and awareness of global issues, which allows all of our members to be much better global citizens and political actors.

Teamwork: Simulations and collaborative problem-solving tasks promote teamwork and collaboration among members, which are essential in making informed political decisions.

Ethical Leadership: The club emphasizes a commitment to ethical leadership, instilling values that guide members in their political and diplomatic endeavors that respect all cultures and have the ultimate goal of benefiting humanity.

Adaptability: Given the ever-evolving political landscape, members learn to adapt to changing circumstances and respond effectively to new challenges.

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Our club's mission is to introduce different viewpoints and ideas through civil discourse in an open space. We want people to challenge their biases and logic while staying entertained. We welcome people of all different levels of political experience/knowledge/majors to participate.

For the 2025-2026 Academic year, we are meeting at the Lobero Room in the UCEN from 7-8PM every Monday.

Membership Benefits
Membership is not required to attend meetings but is required for voting on amendments to the club constitution and voting for the appointment of officers. Members also have the added benefit of being able to run for officer positions.

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Inform: Raise awareness on issues of US electoral dysfunction and the election reform that is being rolled out to help fix our system.
Inspire: Discuss and envision new solutions with invited speakers, filmmakers, faculty, politicians, and students
Empower: Enable passionate college students to volunteer/intern with organizations leading election reform

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GENup seeks to fight for an education system that prioritizes students and educators first: an education system where all students have equal access to resources, a system where educators have a fair, living wage, and an education system that allows its students and teachers to thrive within their communities.

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The Global Affairs Journal seeks to empower the UCSB political student community with diverse opinions about international affairs, grounded in facts and research. We encourage students from all majors, backgrounds and interests to engage in ongoing research with large-scale, global impact by contributing to the Journal. Our goal is to recognize that student opinions are shaped by unique individual experiences, which we hope will unite the UCSB community in acknowledging a shared humanity, invoking a platform for thought, opinion, and discussion.

Membership Benefits
- Publish two 6-8 page publications within a guided timeline over one academic year
- Exercise research skills using reputable sources to advance arguments
- Collaborate with authors and editors to fine-tune your article and generate a comprehensive journal
- Elevate your resume by contributing to this unique publication opportunity
- Be featured on the Global Affairs Journal website and receive a physical journal of the culminating work

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Healing Through Hustle is a student-led organization at the University of California Santa Barbara committed to supporting, uplifting, and empowering system-impacted individuals through intentional community-building, advocacy, education, and resource-driven action.

We recognize that system-impacted individuals including those affected by incarceration, immigration enforcement, state violence, foster care, or systematic marginalization face unique and often overlooked challenges. Our mission is to create a safe and inclusive space where these students feel seen, valued, and equipped with the tools to thrive.

Through collaborative fundraising, campus tabling, community outreach, educational workshops, and direct support initiatives, Healing Through Hustle works to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of system-impacted communities, provide healing-centered spaces grounded in solidarity and inclusivity, build sustainable partnerships both on campus and in the wider Santa Barbara community, and advocate for equity, dignity, and transformative justice in all aspects of student life.

Our work is guided by the core values of inclusivity, respect, honesty, morality, community support, and diversity. We believe that healing is a form of resistance and that hustle is rooted in purpose and collective power which can be a pathway to transformation.

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The Iranian Jewish Student Association (IJSA) is an initiative that seeks to create
a community for UCSB students of Mizrahi, Middle Eastern, and/or Persian Jewish descent. This
organization is an attempt to spread awareness of Persian Jewish culture to the campus
community as a whole. Our goal is to allow students to work together and make connections that
allow them to enhance their studies and be able to make friends and reach out to other members
of the community for help in academics, advising, and networking. This is especially important
for the Persian-Jewish community due to a majority being gravely underrepresented in national
media and on campus communities. We hope to connect Persian Jews together from all grade
levels and academic backgrounds with the goal of helping further the group. Iranian Jewish
history and culture are rich and vivid, and we seek to educate all members of our club and
students on campus about our beautiful heritage.

As an organization, we seek to put on events to help provide the Iranian Jewish base with
resources to help further their academics as well as help network alumni Persian Jews with
current Persian Jews to help build a community that extends beyond the 4 years at UCSB. We
also look forward to collaborating with other organizations to host events for the general Middle
Eastern and Jewish communities to ensure inclusivity and community among all groups.

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The purpose of JVP at UCSB is to be a home at UC Santa Barbara for Jewish students and Allies pursuing Palestinian Liberation and Judaism beyond Zionism. JVP at UCSB’s primary objectives are accountability to our Palestinian partners, commitment to Jewish communities, racial justice, and collective liberation.

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The mission of the Pan African Student Association is to raise the consciousness of Africans here at UCSB towards Pan-Africanism and to use the knowledge and skills learned on this campus for the masses of our people.

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Our mission is to empower students from all backgrounds and interests to explore the policies that influence the issues they care about most. Whether your passion is economics, environmental sustainability, technology, or health, our club gives you the opportunity to research, analyze, and propose policies in any field.

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Student Homes Coalition at UCSB is a student organization that advocates for sensible solutions to student housing insecurity and homelessness. We are a campus-based branch of the statewide educational organization Student Homes Coalition, which unites student groups, higher education organizations, and housing activists across California.

Membership Benefits
Members gain the opportunity to engage directly in student housing advocacy, participate in statewide policy efforts, and work with campus and government officials to improve housing conditions for students. Active members can vote, lead campaigns, and build skills in organizing, leadership, and public policy while connecting with a network of passionate student advocates.

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The purpose of Students for a National Health Program is to educate and advocate for the establishment of a universal, comprehensive single-payer health care program in the United States. SNaHP at UCSB exists to promote the idea that high-quality health care is a right of all people and should be provided equitably as a public service rather than bought and sold as a commodity.

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Students for Justice in Palestine at UCSB is a group of undergraduate and graduate students working toward justice and the recognition of universal rights for all current and displaced residents of historic Palestine. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle for self-determination, justice, and equality. We support the 2005 call by Palestinian civil society for various forms of boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law by:

1. Ending Israel's occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967 and dismantling the separation wall;

2. Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and

3. Respecting, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.

We recognize the moral imperative to respond to a society that has called for help and whose suffering is financed by the United States government and its taxpayers, its corporations, and the endowments of institutions like UCSB. As enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international humanitarian law, all people in historic Palestine deserve freedom of movement, freedom of education, freedom from military, political, and structural violence, and equality before the law. We as a group do not specifically endorse either a one- or two-state solution to the conflict. We believe in supporting and amplifying the voices of those working against injustice in the region, not in prescribing or imposing a solution. We also recognize that analysis of justice in Palestine must contextualize and include Bedouin, Druze, Mizrahi Jews, African asylum seekers, and Israeli conscientious objectors, among others.

We are committed to educating ourselves about colonialism, militarism, nationalism, capitalism, racism, and sexism as they relate to the situation in Palestine/Israel, and we seek to oppose the harmful effects these forces have in the United States as well as Palestine. We are also committed to recognizing and working to eliminate oppressive power relations across lines of class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, ability, religion and nationality within our own work. We oppose discrimination along any of these lines and stand in solidarity with other groups working to oppose inequality in these areas.

We see ourselves as part of the statewide and national movements of Students for Justice in Palestine, part of the legacy of student activism at UCSB and across California, and contributing to the larger project of creating a just society for all.

We welcome anyone interested in these guiding objectives into our group. Feel free to contact us at sjpucsb 'at' gmail 'dot' com.

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