Charlene Wu ’06

Alumni Scholarships distinguishes UCLA from other universities. The program brings together an extraordinary group of people, from the Alumni Association staff to the scholarship recipients to the alumni volunteers. What sets them apart from others is a commitment to serving something greater – they invest countless hours and effort to giving back to the University. Four years ago, I realized that this was the place I wanted to be, in the company of these individuals.

I graduated in 2006 majoring in psychology and economics. Before attending graduate school, I accepted a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. My experience at UCLA has been invaluable in my self-discovery and in shaping my personal and professional interests. My most rewarding academic experience was conducting my honors thesis; this independent research project fostered intellectual curiosity and creativity and served as great preparation for my future academic endeavors. Aside from research, I volunteered as a camp counselor for UCLA UniCamp, UCLA’s official charity helping underprivileged children in the Los Angeles area. The most memorable moments from my four years at UCLA revolved around the friendships that I made and the community. I believe the Alumni Scholars Club and the Alumni Association exemplify the value of community.

As an Alumni Scholar, I experienced firsthand what an incredible opportunity afforded by alumni. One of ASC’s goals is to cultivate successful and dedicated leaders who will continue to give back to their communities. Through the Ambassador program, scholars are encouraged to take on leadership roles by returning to their high schools and community colleges and sharing their UCLA experiences. We encouraged those students to apply to UCLA. Quarterly leadership workshops are available for scholars to hone professional skills, including teambuilding, time management and networking. Without the generosity and support of our alumni, Alumni Scholarships would not be possible. Alumni inspire current students to give back, not after graduation or in the future, but here – and now.

Five years ago, the ASC Scholarship was created. This program, Dollars for Scholars, is a scholarship for an incoming freshman student funded by current Alumni Scholars. We may not have had the resources to become donors of independent scholarships, but collectively – along with our desire to give back and provide the same opportunity we had for someone else – we supported scholarships for one student every year. Although this is a relatively young program, there is great potential for growth.

As a student, I continually was impressed and inspired by this community of students, alumni, staff and faculty. The leadership, service and community opportunities made possible by the Alumni Association were invaluable in shaping my UCLA experience and helping me find my way. My time at UCLA left an indelible imprint in my life.