diff --git a/scripts/validate-seo-build.mjs b/scripts/validate-seo-build.mjs
index 1b50184..877c20b 100644
--- a/scripts/validate-seo-build.mjs
+++ b/scripts/validate-seo-build.mjs
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ for (const page of pages) {
   assert.doesNotMatch(html, /https:\/\/forms\.gle\/EQmWP1JWzDzrFji79/);
   assert.doesNotMatch(html, /https:\/\/linktr\.ee\/compbioatberkeley/);
   assert.ok(html.includes('href="https://linktr.ee/UCB_CompBio"'));
+  assert.match(html, />Join Us<\/a>/, `${page.path} navigation must label the signup route “Join Us”`);
   if (page.path === "/") {
     assert.ok(mainTextLength >= 2000, `home SSR text must be substantial; received ${mainTextLength}`);
     const contentEfficiency = visibleText(html).length / html.length;
diff --git a/src/components/Footer.tsx b/src/components/Footer.tsx
index 963ea97..1e4acd5 100644
--- a/src/components/Footer.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Footer.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const quickLinks = [
   { name: "calendar", path: "/calendar/" },
   { name: "collaborations", path: "/collaborations/" },
   { name: "officers", path: "/officers/" },
-  { name: "sign up", path: "/signup/" },
+  { name: "Join Us", path: "/signup/" },
   { name: "contact", path: "/contact/" },
   { name: "privacy", path: "/privacy/" },
   { name: "developers", path: "/developers/" },
diff --git a/src/components/Navigation.tsx b/src/components/Navigation.tsx
index eec51b1..a4ca355 100644
--- a/src/components/Navigation.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Navigation.tsx
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ const Navigation = () => {
               aria-current={isActive("/signup/") ? "page" : undefined}
               className="rounded bg-primary px-3.5 py-2 text-xs font-bold text-primary-foreground transition-colors hover:bg-primary/90 hover:text-primary-foreground focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-ring focus-visible:ring-offset-2 focus-visible:ring-offset-background active:translate-y-px"
             >
-              sign up
+              Join Us
             </Link>
           </div>
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ const Navigation = () => {
 
         {isOpen && (
           <div id="mobile-navigation" className="border-t border-border py-2 lg:hidden">
-            {[...navItems, { name: "sign up", path: "/signup/" }].map((item) => (
+            {[...navItems, { name: "Join Us", path: "/signup/" }].map((item) => (
               <Link
                 key={item.path}
                 to={item.path}