College Nine strives to recognize students who incorporate the theme of “International and Global Perspectives” during their undergraduate career. The theme focuses on perspectives including: economic globalization, human rights, regional conflicts, the environment, and cultural identity. To encourage outstanding achievement, students may be recognized with “College Nine Academic Distinction” upon successful completion of research experiences, course work, service and leadership and/or writing intensive courses focused on the college theme and being a global leader. Students would build on the topics that were introduced in the College Nine Core Course (CLNI 1) such as:

• Globalization
• Food Justice
• Global Inequality
• Migration
• Universal Human Rights
• What actions individuals and communites can take

We acknowledge that learning styles and educational commitments are unique and personal. “Academic Distinction” is unique from other college awards, in that all qualifying work is based on research experiences and academic courses taken for credit towards a UCSC undergraduate degree. This award comes with special recognition at commencement, a certificate of achievement signed by the College Nine Provost, and can be used on future resumes and graduate school applications. 

*Please note that self-nomination is required and you can not be nominated by a mentor or supervisor.*  

Eligibility Criteria

1. Must be a College Nine Affiliate by the time of application

2. UCSC cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher at the time of application and in the quarter in which the student is graduating

3. Completed at least 15 course credits relevant to the college theme with a combined GPA of 3.5 or higher in those courses by the time of application. Provide an explanation of each course with attention to how the course fulfills the thematic and academic requirements. Course examples include:

   • College Nine Courses (CLNI 85: Global Perspectives, CLNI 90: Intercultural Understanding, etc)

   • Completion of academic courses during or in preparation for a study abroad program

   • Collegiate-level foreign language course work (level 4 and higher)

   • Other departmental courses related to the theme of international and global perspectives 

4. Completed of at least 2 credits or the equivalent (6 hours/week) by the time of application focused on hands-on experience of the college theme. Some examples are:

   • Peer-to-Peer or Student Taught Classes, such as: 

     • CLNI 191: Teaching Global Perspectives

     • International and global perspectives themed tutoring positions

     • Other student-led departmental courses related to the theme of international and global perspectives

   • Research Internship (for-credit, volunteer or paid positions), related to the college themes through on- or off-campus organizations such as:

     • Everett Program

     • Blum Center

     • Community-Initiated Student-Engaged Research (CISER)

     • Institute for Social Transformation (Social Sciences)

     • Office of Global Engagement

     • Undergraduate research with HACER 

     • Other theme-related community engaged scholarship/research

   • A senior thesis, capstone project, or other independent research related to the application of the theme of international and global perspectives

5. Completion of 2 reflection questions within the application.

6. Submission of application by the deadline

Spring 2025 Deadline

The deadline to apply for Academic Distinction is Sunday May 4th, 2025.

Submitting an Application

To submit an online application for yourself, please submit an Academic Distinction Application by the deadline.

After Submission

Contact the College Nine Advisors (nineadvising@ucsc.edu) with any questions about the application process or updates on your distinction application. To learn more about the College Nine Leadership Certificate, visit the College Nine Leadership Certificate Website.