As the top public university in the world, UC Berkeley acts as a catalyst for transformation around the globe. Berkeley Inspire is home to uplifting, powerful stories you need to inspire, and be inspired by, your Berkeley community.
Like a constellation of stars, the arts are everywhere at UC Berkeley — integrated throughout the physical campus and the university’s extraordinary breadth of research. Hear from faculty and students about what they’re teaching and creating, what sets the arts apart at Berkeley, and efforts to build new opportunities for learning, creating, and performing.
Opening in spring 2025, the new Grimes Engineering Center, named after Michael and Janelle Grimes, sits at the heart of the Berkeley Engineering community. It is, first and foremost, a space that supports students, providing a home where they can engage in expanded opportunities for collaboration and innovation. The building will serve as a central hub for the north side of campus, hosting academic and social events in addition to advising, tutoring, and career services.
Peruse inspiring stories about people like you who have helped transform UC Berkeley.
When Dr. Eric Esrailian was a student, Berkeley felt like a large and often impersonal place. He recently made a gift to support Berkeley’s Armenian language and literature program in perpetuity and help build an academic community.
This is the 10th year of the Berkeley Crowdfunding program — a very Cal spin on the model made popular by GoFundMe and Kickstarter. Our platform empowers students to easily share the dreams of their clubs and projects with the greater community, raising money to make those dreams come true.
What began as a desire to “extend a hand to others as America had extended its hand to me” has grown into something extraordinary. The New Leader Scholarship, founded by Ruth and Bill Goldman, does far more than provide financial assistance. It creates a family.
Nearly 150 people gathered to show their pride for the newest cohort of 27 students to receive the African American Initiative Scholarship. The scholarship has supported more than 200 distinguished scholars to date and offers up to $8,000 a year, as well as an array of resources and opportunities that help scholars build community and thrive.
63% of all undergraduates receive some form of financial aid
7,600+ students participated in community service
519 Hellman Fellows launching new careers
6 assistant professors named 2025 Sloan Research Fellows, among the largest cohort from any single university