Spotlight Orange County (OC)

Offered in partnership with

Spotlight OC is a non-credit learning program that blends cultural exploration, arts, industry, science, and innovation through immersive, in-person excursions.

Spanning four Saturday sessions per year, each approximately 3 hours long, the program is designed for adult learners and curious professionals who want insider access to Orange County’s most fascinating, often hidden, locales. Instruction is delivered on-site by UC Irvine faculty, local experts, and a DCE facilitator, featuring guided tours, hands-on demonstrations, and informal discussions. This experience fosters community, professional networking, and lifelong learning without the pressure of academic credit.

Who Should Enroll

Adventurers, dreamers, and changemakers living in Orange County who seek a sense of purpose and place in their community. They are seeking opportunities to learn, connect with others, and be involved.

Program Benefits

Develop an awareness of Orange County landmarks, institutions and organizations — their history, current state and future state
Increase community engagement through volunteering, attending events/activities and developing a stronger sense of happiness/self
Strengthen communication and critical thinking
Expand personal and professional networks
Enhancing cultural and civic awareness
Personal enrichment and career exploration

Payment

To complete your registration, you will be redirected to the UC Irvine Marketplace. Please note that all attendee information and payment processing will be securely handled directly on the Marketplace platform. Your registration and payment data will be subject to the UC Irvine Privacy Policy.

Spring 2026

Mercado González – Northgate Market

Discover one of Orange County’s most vibrant cultural destinations during this immersive Spotlight OC experience at the Mercado González – Northgate Market in Costa Mesa.

This behind-the-scenes, in-person program invites participants to explore the intersection of family legacy, entrepreneurship, food culture, and community impact through guided access to the market. Led by local experts and facilitated by UC Irvine, the experience will examine the history of the Northgate González Market family, the evolution of the Mercado concept, and the regulatory, cultural, and business frameworks that shape food-centered community spaces.

Participants will engage in an insider tour featuring conversations around heritage, innovation, food systems, and cultural representation, offering a deeper understanding of how food serves as both a business and a powerful connector of identity and place. Following the tour and discussions, attendees are encouraged to enjoy the Mercado’s diverse culinary offerings and continue the conversation through informal networking with fellow participants.

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Fee: $75.00

Location: Northgate Mercado, Costa Mesa

You will be redirected to an external site for registration.

María G. Rendón, UC Irvine Associate Professor

Participating Faculty:

María G. Rendón, is an Associate Professor of Sociology in the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy at the University of California, Irvine. Her research examines class, racial and ethnic inequality across neighborhoods and schools and how these contexts shape life outcomes, particularly for Latinos.

She is the author of multiple articles and an award-winning book, Stagnant Dreamers: How the Inner City Shapes the Integration of Inner-City Latinos (Russell Sage). Dr. Rendón’s most recent research calls attention to how neighborhood and school conditions help explain class, racial and ethnic disparities in STEM.

She is currently working on a new book that focuses on the first wave of Mexican immigration to southern California, those that came in the 1920s, how they contributed to the development of the region, and how neighborhood conditions shaped their integration, with a focus on the Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles area. Dr. Rendón earned her PhD in Sociology and Social Policy from Harvard University and from Los Angeles.

Summer 2026

OC Coroner’s Division

Go behind the scenes of one of Orange County’s most critical public service agencies at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department – Coroner’s Division.

This in-person event offers participants rare insight into the scientific, legal, and human dimensions of death investigation. Guided by Coroner Division professionals and facilitated by UC Irvine, attendees will explore how forensic science, medicine, and public policy intersect to serve the community. Topics include the role of the coroner, investigative procedures, cause and manner of death determinations, collaboration with law enforcement and public health agencies, and the ethical responsibilities that guide this work.

Through expert-led discussions and an on-site tour, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how evidence-based practices, advanced technology, and compassionate service support public safety and justice. The experience also highlights career pathways in forensic science and public service, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in governmental institutions.

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Fee: $75.00

Location: OC Sheriff’s Department Coroner Division, Santa Ana

You will be redirected to an external site for registration.

Participating Faculty:

George E. Tita is a professor of Criminology, Law and Society and Urban Planning and Public Policy at UC Irvine. He is also Director of the Livable Cities Lab which focuses on the creation of dignified housing for all and the creation and maintenance of safe and healthy communities. He earned his Ph.D. in public policy from the H.J. Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon. His research interests include the study of interpersonal violence with a focus of homicide, urban street gangs, and the community context of crime.

He has a long history of working with stakeholders from both the community and criminal justice system in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs designed to reduce gun violence in impacted neighborhoods. He has also examined the impact of siting affordable housing on crime and property values in Orange County, and is working on an evaluation of the County’s Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization Program.

Summer 2026

The OC Coastline: Beach Erosion & Our Changing Shoreline

The iconic Southern California coastline is more than just a summer vacation spot, it’s a dynamic, shifting landscape currently caught in a tug-of-war between nature and infrastructure.

Join Spotlight OC for an immersive beach walk at Doheny State Beach, led by Professor Brett Sanders from UC Irvine. This isn't your typical stroll in the sand; we’re diving deep into the literal “ground” beneath our feet to understand why our beaches are changing and what the future holds for our coastal community.

During this walk, we will explore:

Why sand accumulates along the shoreline to form a beach
Where the sand on Southern California beaches comes from
How and why beaches change from season to season
The benefits of beaches to people and ecosystems
How beaches are impacted by human development
What can be done to protect beaches

Stick around after the walk for light refreshments and a chance to network with fellow OC residents, professionals, and environmental enthusiasts.

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026

Time: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Fee: $50.00

Location: Doheny State Beach

You will be redirected to an external site for registration.

Participating Faculty:

Brett Sanders is a Chancellor’s Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Planning and Public Policy, with primary expertise in flooding and erosion risks and response measures. He earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.S. and PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Michigan emphasizing environmental fluid mechanics and computational methods. He currently serves as Director of the UC Irvine Climate Collaboration, an initiative that unites interdisciplinary faculty teams with external partners to address urgent climate, resilience and sustainability challenges in Orange County, California and beyond.

Dr. Sanders is a Fellow of the Engineering Mechanics Institute of ASCE, the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of ASCE, the International Association for Hydro-Environment Research, and the Faculty Academy for Teaching Excellence. He also serves as an Advisor to the California Coastal Commission on wetland restoration, an Advisor to the California Ocean Science Trust and California Department of Insurance on flood risk modeling, and Chair of the Orange County Climate Resiliency Task Force. He was recognized as one of the Most Influential People in Orange County by the OC Register.

Website: UCI Flood Lab | Brett Sanders Research Group

Email: climatecollab@uci.edu