Alumni Spotlights feature outstanding UC Santa Barbara alumni succeeding in their careers, proud of their Gaucho heritage.
Nominate your fellow Gauchos for the Alumni Spotlight series!
Virginia Benson Wigle wears many hats. She’s a devout fan of the Dave Matthews Band, a proud Gaucho, and a proud mother to her daughter, Ella. She’s also the founder of The Starfish Connection, a local nonprofit foundation dedicated to building thriving communities through crisis funding and community storytelling.
Julian Marc’s '21 journey to becoming the founder and CEO of Axon Interfaces, a biotechnology research company, was far from linear. After transferring to UCSB, Marc jumped headfirst into studying neuroscience. With guidance from professors and a growing passion, the vision for Axon Interfaces soon became clear to the entrepreneur.
James Garcia '17 is the creator of You Should Be Dancing, California’s only Bee Gees tribute band. From marketing to event planning, Garcia handles business both on and off the stage.
Ari Phillips ‘06 began his academic journey at UC Santa Barbara with a plan to study physics, but soon discovered his true passion lay elsewhere. Today, he channels his passion for writing and environmental issues as an environmentally-focused editor and novelist.
Aaron Howard is a local photographer responsible for creating Isla Vista Seasons, a coffee table book that captures the essence of our beloved coastal college town.
Jessica Armstrong ‘02 always had a passion for fashion, majoring in Art Studio and Art History during her time at UC Santa Barbara. After living in San Francisco and New York City post-grad, she jumped into the Los Angeles fashion industry and now works as a freelance stylist for brands and individuals.