University Partnership

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University of California, Santa Barbara

HUPS multifaceted partnership with the University of California, Santa Barbara continues to grow!

Launched in January 2010, the partnership brings Gevirtz School faculty researchers and graduate students to the Harding campus to provide research based best practices and services to benefit student learning and well-being.  

Our partnership includes the support of the Dean of the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, Jeff Milem, and Director of Outreach, Lilly Garcia, who work closely with Principal Veronica Binkley to align the school’s needs with ongoing or developing research projects. Assistant director of outreach, Devon Azzam, provides support for outdoor learning, environmental education and school greening projects on campus. Most recently, Chryss Yost has joined our team as we embark upon the development of a Family Resource Center on the Gillespie side of campus. 

Over the past three academic years, from 2021-2024, the partnership has focused on three areas with the most pressing support needs: mathematics, literacy and social-emotional learning. Some example include: 

• Community Based Literacies (CBL) through the McEnroe Reading Clinic is led by Dr. Diana Arya. This program provides different levels of support for all 3rd-6th graders. Part of the CBL programming includes VR after school and in school support. 
• GAMEs (Growing Access to Mathematical Engagement) project with Dr. Rachel Lambert working with 3rd and 4th grade students. The GAMEs project has been providing an in-class enrichment/intervention program in mathematics for students at Harding. 
• Strengthening Minds & Hearts program led by Dr. Arlene Ortiz provides individual mentoring and counseling to students with mild to moderate social-emotional needs. 

HUPS Outdoor Classroom

Gevirtz School’s assistant director of outreach, Devon Azzam, provided guidance and assistance for grant applications and project implementation for the outdoor classroom project which was completed in 2023. Azzam also conducted a research study before and after the playground transformation to examine the effects of the environment on patterns of play. One key finding was that the new naturescape increased opportunities for literacy and language development.  

Harding students and faculty take an annual field trip to UCSB for a day filled with educational activities that support our college going culture.

Fifth-grade students also engage with chemists at UCSB as part of the SciTrek programs.

UCSB’s Teacher Candidates are at Harding completing their final requirement for their teaching credential.