Meet Malika Bell: Founder, Director, and Academic Cheerleade

     Learning isn’t linear—and neither are the paths we take in life. I know this from experience. That belief is at the heart of everything I do at Santa Cruz Learning Center. It’s the foundation of how I teach, how I mentor, and how I support students who are still figuring it all out.

     Learning didn’t come easily for me as a kid. Struggling with reading and writing chipped away at my confidence, even as my drive and love of learning grew. I often wrestled with the tension between my desire to learn and my fear that I wasn’t “smart” enough. It gave me the insight to understand that learning challenges are invitations to teach differently and listen more closely.

     Since my dad is from Morocco, I grew up traveling there regularly and experiencing life through more than one lens. We visited family there often, and in high school, I joined a global youth exchange program and spent nearly a year traveling around the world. Those experiences sparked a lifelong curiosity and broadened my perspective, fueling my interest in everything from science and health to education and social systems.

     For a long time, I thought I’d become a pediatrician. I loved science, I loved working with families, and I was drawn to the idea of making a difference in people’s lives. After high school, I interned at the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center, where I trained as a phlebotomist and medical lab assistant. I earned my EMT certification, took classes at Cabrillo College, worked at a local restaurant, and explored different paths in the health field. It was a time of wide-ranging interests, restless ambition, and ongoing self-discovery. I had the drive—I just wasn’t always sure of my direction.

     Teaching is in my DNA. My mom was one of the original teachers at Alternative Family Education (AFE) here in Santa Cruz, and the Palazzo Art Studio on campus was named in her memory. While I wasn’t raised in alternative education myself, her work left a deep imprint on me.

     Once I was ready to take on full-time college, I jumped in fully. I found a home in math and science, and as I began to excel, I also began teaching and tutoring through Cabrillo’s MESA program and student-led supplemental instruction groups. I loved figuring out how people learn. In our study sessions, we used dry-erase boards, games, and songs to make the material stick—and I discovered how powerful it was to make learning feel joyful and collaborative. I eventually transferred to UC Santa Cruz with support from the ACCESS program and was awarded a full scholarship through the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. Both the ACCESS and CAMP programs emphasized the importance of research and supported me in the undergraduate lab of Professor Phil Crews, where I found myself thriving in a space I’d never pictured myself in: scientific research.

     After transferring to UCSC, I was awarded a full scholarship through the Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholars Program. This incredible honor gave me the financial freedom to focus fully on my studies. I joined ACE—first as a student receiving supplemental instruction, and later as an SI leader. I was also part of a tight-knit study group where we pulled each other through rigorous chemistry courses using whiteboards, games, and even songs to help the material stick. I continued to nurture my passion for teaching and sharing knowledge while learning more about what makes learning effective. The self-doubt was still there, but it was getting quieter—I was beginning to trust that I belonged.

     True to the nonlinear nature of my path, I had entered the PhD program in chemistry at UC Santa Cruz, but during that time, my mother passed away from cancer. That loss shifted my priorities. I chose to leave the program with my master’s degree to focus on family and life outside the lab. For the final part of my graduate program, while supporting my mom through treatment, I gave my concluding research seminar on the chemistry behind cancer therapies—a way to stay connected to both my academic work and what mattered most in that moment.

     Graduating from UCSC opened the door to the kind of work I cared most about—helping students grow, succeed, and feel like they belonged. I first worked as the Education Coordinator for the Center for Adaptive Optics, where I collaborated with faculty to develop curriculum and organize internship programs focused on science education and outreach. I had the opportunity to do this work at multiple CfAO partner sites, including the University of Hawaiʻi and Maui Community College, where I traveled frequently and worked closely with local programs and Native Hawaiian initiatives. From there, I became the Director of STEM Diversity Programs. At the time, several campus initiatives were working independently to support students historically underrepresented in STEM. I saw the need for a more connected and cohesive student experience, so I developed the STEM Diversity umbrella program to unify those efforts, build community, and offer shared professional development. It gave me the chance to merge my love of science with my dedication to building meaningful, student-centered learning experiences.

     In 2009, I founded Santa Cruz Learning Center as a way to bring together everything I had learned—both inside and outside of the classroom. I wanted to create a space where students could feel supported, inspired, and challenged, especially those who hadn’t always felt successful in traditional academic settings. What started as a few tutoring sessions quickly grew into a vibrant learning community. Since 2014, I’ve been working at the center full time—teaching a wide range of subjects, mentoring students, designing homeschool courses, leading summer camps, and building hands-on science and STEAM programs for learners of all ages.

     At the heart of my teaching is the belief that every student is capable of growth and success. I see challenges as opportunities, value the unique ways each person learns, and work to build trust, confidence, and independence along the way. That’s the foundation of Santa Cruz Learning Center—and the team I’ve built shares in that vision. Together, we’re creating a space where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.