Student Leadership
Han Zhang, a former member of the PICA leadership team, in the garden.
The Program in Community and Agroecology's leadership team is a collection of students who work together to maintain and develop PICA's community resources and functions. Student leaders often hold paid coordinator positions, but all PICA residents and other members of the UCSC community are welcome to participate in meetings and contribute to the program's broader visions and goals.
It is the leadership team's duty to reflect the interests of PICA in the planning of events, residential programs, workshops, and inter-organizational collaborations. The leadership team provides opportunities for PICA residents to work towards a just and sustainable food system, as well as empowers non-residents to do the same in their own communities. The leadership team includes (insert)
Contact us to inquire about our meeting times or reserve time on our agenda. You may also read through the agenda and notes to see what we talked about at our most recent meeting. You can also email the PICA leadership team at pica@ucsc.edu
PICA Leadership Team 2021-2022
PICA Leadership Team Alumni
Claire Swetlin
Compost Coordinator (20**-2021)
I am a 4th year student associated with college nine. I double major in Sociology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES). I am from Redwood City in the Bay Area. When I am not gardening or in class I like to cook yummy vegan food, volunteer with Food Not Bombs and go roller skating with friends! I joined PICA because I believe in our mission statement and I wanted to learn more about gardening and sustainable food systems because good food is the basic source of all social justice movements. As compost coordinator, I collect the food scraps from the village residents and transport them to our compost system. I then remove the ready compost and bring it back to PICA for our gardening days!
Karely Valdez
Programs Coordinator (2020-2021)
Hello! I am a 4th year double majoring in Psychology and Spanish Studies. I am affiliated with college nine ! I wanted to become a part of PICA to become more aware of food justice/ food sustainability and find ways to make healthy eating accessible to college students as well as the greater community. As the programs coordinator I am in charge of PICA’s advertising and organization, and reaching out to other orgs to collaborate and educate others about what we do! In my free time I enjoy running, trying new foods, and bullet journaling!
Brian Banh
Garden Coordinator (2018-2020)
I am a 4th year Environmental Studies major and East Asian Studies minor affiliated with Cowell College. As a co-garden coordinator I help maintain the PICA garden spaces and teach students and volunteers about various agroecological practices. My goal for the PICA program is to bring the campus community to this space to kindle a love for gardening, as it has done for me. Aside from gardening, I enjoy swimming, hiking, drawing, and hanging with friends!
PICA Leadership Team 2015-16
Elizabeth Davis, B-Quad Garden Coordinator
I am a sophomore pursuing a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and I am one of the PICA garden Coordinators. I also happen to live in the PICA community. As Garden Coordinator, I take care of the B-quad garden which includes planning, planting, pruning, digging, weeding, and whatever else the garden may need. I love being outside whether it be hiking, running, camping, or gardening. Besides the outdoors my other passion is learning, and I am constantly in pursuit of more knowledge in a variety of fields.
Dakota Freeze Hafalia-Yackel, Events Coordinator
I am a 3rd Year transfer student majoring in Environmental studies with a concentration in agroecology/sustainable food systems. As the PICA Events Coordinator I organize events and workshops for the students at UCSC. My hobbies include Hockey, Biking, Skateboarding, and gardening.
Edwin M Colon, A-Quad Garden Coordinator
I am a 4th year student studying Plant Science with a minor in Sustainability. I am from the San Fernando Valley, CA. 1st generation Guatemalan American. As Garden Coordinator, I take care of the A-quad garden which includes planting, pruning, digging,weeding and much more. My interests include all things Plants, Ecological Restoration, Natural History, Permaculture, Community building, and saving the world one conversation at a time. Come out to a Saturday work day and party with the garden!
Giselle Acosta, Programs Assistant
I am a 3rd year student double majoring in Politics and Community Studies. I am PICA’s program assistant, and my role partakes in being the external liaison in collaborative events with other socially and environmentally active organizations, as well as tracking events and budgets. My hobbies include hiking, camping, and going to the beach.
Annette Ackema, Meals Coordinator
I am currently a third year studying Environmental Studies and Econ. As the Meals Coordinator for PICA, I prepare the Saturday lunches after the work day and organize the weekday community meals that gather PICA residents to cook and share dinners with each other. My passion is bringing people together around wholesome, plant based food and spreading the abundance of mother nature. I love dancing, writing poetry, learning, yoga, beach volleyball, and creating regenerative art.
Lauren Westjohn, Compost Coordinator
PICA Leadership Team 2014-15
