A Message from Chapter Leadership

As we move into the spring season, Cal Bears in the Desert is entering one of our most impactful times of the year: supporting students, engaging alumni, and strengthening our presence across the Coachella Valley.

In the coming weeks, our chapter will play an active role in welcoming newly admitted students and their families through our Spring Admissions Reception. This is a meaningful opportunity to represent UC Berkeley locally and help students from our region see themselves as part of the Cal community.

We are also excited to share opportunities for alumni to give back through the Cal Alumni Association’s scholarship programs. Volunteers are currently being recruited to serve as application readers and interviewers for the Achievement Award Program (TAAP) and the Leadership Award (TLA). These efforts directly support students, many of whom are first-generation and from underrepresented backgrounds, in accessing and succeeding at Berkeley.

With gratitude,
Maximiliano F. Ochoa
Chapter Vice President
On behalf of the Cal Bears in the Desert Board

📣 Upcoming Chapter Meeting

Monday, March 23, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Join fellow alumni, students, and friends as we share campus updates, upcoming events, and opportunities to connect. Alumni who subscribe to chapter meeting updates receive the agenda package by email — also accessible anytime through our Linktree.

📅 Upcoming Events

🎓 Spring Admissions Reception (Save the Date)
Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Palm Desert
Cal Bears in the Desert will support UC Berkeley’s Admissions team in welcoming newly admitted students and their families from the Coachella Valley. While this event is primarily designed for students and families, alumni are welcome to attend and help represent the Cal community locally.

Volunteer Opportunities

Support Berkeley students by volunteering with CAA scholarships! We are currently recruiting for The Achievement Award Program (TAAP) and The Leadership Award (TLA) volunteers. Volunteers can register to read scholarship applications or interview scholarship finalists. All volunteer opportunities are virtual. For questions, reach out to scholarships@alumni.berkeley.edu.

☀️ Looking Ahead: Summer Send-Off (Coming Soon)

Our annual Summer Send-Off will take place later this summer as we celebrate and welcome incoming students to the Cal community. This is one of our signature alumni events, and we encourage all members to attend. More details will be shared in the coming months.

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