Meet 2024–2025 Jo Little Memorial Scholarship Recipients + Join us for 2025 Jo Little Memorial Campus Walk

Olivia Craig ‘25 (L&S Environmental Studies) and Lakshmi Garcia ‘25 (CCS Writing & Literature) epitomize academic excellence and community service leadership

Now in its fifth year, the Jo Little Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) staff member Mary “Jo” Little (1954–2017) who was dedicated to undergraduate education and community service. During her 25 years at UCSB, she served in the departments of chemistry and biochemistry and environmental studies. She became assistant dean of the College of Creative Studies (CCS) in 2013. 

These scholarships, supported by the Jo Little Memorial Fund, recognize undergraduates who demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to community service in the College of Creative Studies (CCS) and the College of Letters & Science (L&S) environmental studies program. This year, two students were selected from a competitive pool of nominees by committees of faculty and staff.

Meet 2024–2025 Jo Little Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Olivia Craig ‘25 

L&S Environmental Studies

Olivia Craig, a fourth-year environmental studies major, is recognized for her extraordinary leadership, scholarship, and commitment to public service. As the youngest elected official in Santa Barbara County, she served a two-year term on the Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors, focusing on issues such as housing, transportation, and public safety. Olivia’s community involvement also includes active leadership with the American Indian and Indigenous Students Association (AIISA), organizing the 2025 Indigenous Futures in Higher Education Symposium. In the classroom, Olivia contributes to pedagogy as a student facilitator for the Traditional Ecological Knowledge course. Her senior thesis research, conducted in partnership with Chumash collaborators, examines the ecological impact of fire on coast live oak and supports the revitalization of cultural burning practices.

“Olivia Craig’s record of achievement would be impressive in any context, but what distinguishes her most is the way she approaches every endeavor as an opportunity for collaboration and relationship building,” wrote her nominator. “She is exactly the kind of student for whom the Jo Little Memorial Scholarship was created, and I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

Lakshmi Garcia ‘26

CCS Writing & Literature

Lakshmi Garcia, a CCS Writing & Literature major, is awarded this scholarship in recognition of their academic excellence, campus involvement, and a wholehearted dedication to community. Lakshmi serves as a CCS student affairs assistant and is president of the CCS Community Council (CCSCC), leading efforts to foster student connection and engagement. Their interdisciplinary research spans from poetry and politics to educational equity, including studies on multilingual learners and the educational trajectories of first-generation Hispanics shaped by sibling dynamics and storytelling. Lakshmi is part of the McNair Scholars Program, named a 2024 Raab Writing Fellow, and participated in the CCS Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program as a 2024 CCS Dean’s Fellow. They have presented her work at multiple campus conferences, including the CCS Research and Creative Activities Conference (RACA-CON) in 2023 and 2024. Lakshmi plans to pursue a master’s degree and serve in the Peace Corps, with the goal of teaching in Latin America before continuing on to doctoral work in education.

“Lakshmi has shown consistent and generous dedication to the wellbeing of the College of Creative Studies community since…before they even joined the Writing & Literature program,” wrote her nominator. “Lakshmi’s drive to help others and explore the resources offered at UC Santa Barbara has exemplified their ambition and dedication to research and education, and indicates the resolute scholar and generous friend Lakshmi has become.”

2025 Jo Little Memorial Campus Walk

In addition to honoring Jo through these scholarships, the Jo Little Memorial Campus Walk celebrates her contributions to shaping the campus natural environment. This year’s walk will take place on May 14 at 3:00 pm, hosted by UCSB Affiliates. UCSB Paleobotanist and CCS Dean Emeritus Bruce H. Tiffney will guide attendees through the diverse campus flora that has been shaped by faculty and staff such as Jo. Those interested in participating can contact Cathi Arnold at carnold@ucsb.edu. 

To honor her life and spirit, Jo’s family established the Jo Little Memorial Scholarship to support undergraduates in environmental studies and/or CCS who excel academically and give back to their community. Gifts at all levels in loving memory of Jo can be made to the Jo Little Memorial Fund online or by contacting Venilde Jeronimo (venilde@ucsb.edu).