Author Archives: Hon Hoang

Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution With the Help of Latino Alumni

Photo Credit: Judy Baca ©2012, Gente del Maiz

W

ith an unwavering commitment to its role as a public institution, UCLA's message is clear: building a campus that embraces and celebrates its Latinx communities isn't just a goal, but an imperative.

Chancellor Block recently announced the University's intention to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by 2025, in an effort to strengthen access and expand opportunities for UCLA’s Latino community. He shared, “As a public institution, UCLA has a heightened obligation to ensure that we are doing all we can to make sure this is a campus that truly welcomes members of our Latinx communities, honors their intellectual and cultural contributions and supports their success.” 

HSI designation would be an important step in a movement that started in the Civil Rights era to increase Latino enrollment and expand educational opportunities. Because of this activism, the Chicano Studies Research Center was established in 1969 to foster research and study of Chicano/Latino culture, history and contributions.

In 1993, students, faculty and community members engaged in protests, including a two-week hunger strike, to advocate for the establishment of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UCLA. In the ʼ90s, the Regents of the University of California passed SP-1 and SP-2, which was followed by California Proposition 209, to prohibit preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in higher education. And recently, the Supreme Court ended higher education race-conscious admissions.

Today, Latinos make up 40% of California’s population, the state’s largest ethnic group. This dynamic and diverse community is a major force in California and the nation. Hispanic and Latino students have historically been underrepresented in higher education, and their success is intricately linked to California’s future prosperity. However, many Latino students have faced systemic barriers to a high-quality education, and their high school graduation rate is below the national average.

HSI designation requires new strategies and broad community-based efforts to support and empower California’s future Latinx leaders. The UCLA Latino Alumni Association (ULAA) are a passionate group of Bruin volunteers who are committed to supporting UCLA's Latino alumni, students and friends, and are an active partner in ensuring UCLA reaches this ambitious goal. One of UCLA’s fastest growing alumni groups; they were named as UCLA Alumni’s Network of the Year in 2019 for their exceptional contributions to the UCLA community. 

Cesar Pacheco ʼ18, ULAA president and a commercial real estate professional, recognizes the group's unique position to bring people together. He says, “We’re a conduit for change. HSI is a University-wide movement, stretching across campus. We’re connecting with decision makers to increase our engagement and fundraising efforts.”

To be federally designated an HSI, 25% of students at the university must identify as Latinx. UCLA is currently at 22.2% Latino enrollment, as of fall 2022. With HSI designation, UCLA would receive federal grants to enhance educational programs for Latinx students, to the benefit of the entire campus community. HSI status has also been shown to enhance campus relationships among students, improve academic performance and raise graduation rates. But, as Chancellor Block reminds the community, enrolling greater numbers of Latinx students is not enough. He says, “UCLA also must enable these students to succeed by investing in academic and support infrastructure dedicated to their learning and growth.”

HSI designation requires not only meeting the enrollment numbers, but other requirements as well. Andres Snaider ‘88, ULAA university relations chair, says, “HSI is a rallying call. It’s a huge challenge, but it’s a huge opportunity as well. It emphasizes the priority of directing attention towards Latino students in all their dimensions ꟷ and how the University can best meet their needs.”

Snaider was a first-generation student and commuter who worked his way through UCLA. After graduating from law school, he became a business leader and entrepreneur. Recently, he successfully sold a company he had founded. The achievement presented an opportunity to give back to his community. He says, “I was able to make a difference in things I care about. My time at UCLA was a transformative experience for me.”

Snaider says, “It’s really hard to think of another organization [like ULAA] that has that kind of reach and that kind of commonality. It’s a huge network and there’s amazing potential to reach and make a difference for many people. What we do is help those students feel really connected to UCLA and all it has to offer.”

To invest in Latinx students, ULAA hosts career panels, networking and mentoring opportunities. ULAA’s Orgulloso mentorship program matches alumni with ULAA scholarship recipients and other Latinx students for one year, to help with professional development and personal growth. ULAA alumni share stories and provide insight from their personal experiences. Through engagement, they celebrate students and invest in the future generations. ULAA’s motto, "Hecho at UCLA," (made at UCLA) encapsulates the power of the college experience to create lasting change.

One example of a Bruin family making a difference in the lives of others are the Jaquez family — UCLA basketball players Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Gabriela Jaquez are the first brother and sister to make it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the same school in the same season. This fall, Jaime will make his NBA debut, playing for the Miami Heat. The siblings, their parents and grandparents have been strong proponents of public education, academic achievement and personal excellence. The Jaquez Family Scholarship Fund will provide financial support for incoming freshman and transfer students at UCLA, and was launched at a recent event hosted by the UCLA Alumni Association, ULAA and UCLA Athletics.

Since it was founded in 1989, ULAA has awarded $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 800 students. ULAA president, Cesar Pacheco was able to attend UCLA with the help of financial support. He says the goal of providing scholarships to others unites alumni with a common cause. “I received a Blue and Gold Scholarship that made it possible for me to graduate from UCLA. Had it not been for those donors, I wouldn’t have been able to. Now I’m able to make a difference for other students financially and through volunteering my time and leadership.”

In 2022-23, ULAA raised a record-breaking $241,000, bringing them closer to their fundraising goal of a $1 million scholarship endowment. This included $36,130 from a successful Spark crowdfunding campaign. The board recently approved an ambitious four-year plan to distribute approximately $125,000 to 41 students, increasing their reach and impact. 

Jennifer Mora ʼ96 is vice president of ULAA. As a professional fundraiser, the work of raising scholarship support for UCLA’s Latinx students is close to her heart. Mora entered UCLA as a first-generation, non-traditional transfer student, who saw college as a transaction in her pursuit of a career. However, UCLA was more than a stepping stone on her career path. She says, “My experience taught me I was worthy and capable of a quality education. UCLA instilled in me a love for learning, so I describe myself as a lifetime learner. The opportunity to give back seemed the natural thing to do. There is nothing more exciting than to be able to help the organization with fundraising for scholarships for current UCLA students.”

UCLA’s HSI status will benefit the entire campus community. Denise Pacheco, M.A. ’04, Ph.D. ’11, is senior director of Diversity Programs and Initiatives for UCLA Alumni Affairs. She says, “The pursuit of becoming an HSI does not diminish UCLA’s equally important commitment to increasing representation for all students. When we become an HSI, it provides an infrastructure that will support the success of all students, and especially communities who are not appropriately represented on the campus. It's essential to emphasize that equity is about identifying what different communities need and how that contributes to the success of the whole.”

Looking toward the future, ULAA board members are enthusiastic about UCLA receiving HSI designation. Cesar Pacheco says, “The fact that the Chancellor is taking steps to become an HSI is indicative of the progress that’s already happening at UCLA. It is a bold move and requires real action. Through their action and our support it will happen for the betterment of the UCLA community and for Los Angeles.”

ULAA is continuing to build a strong presence on campus and beyond. Mora looks at the big picture through the frame of her personal experience. “It's exciting for me, because UCLA changed my life. It changed the trajectory of my family legacy and I believe everyone should have that opportunity. I think about all my family members who didn't have an opportunity to go to college, and the thought of being able to provide more access is long overdue. And I'm here to see it happen.”

As the culmination of their efforts, the HSI task force formed by Chancellor Block published Cultivating the Seeds of Change: Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution, which provides more information about the history and process, as well as seven recommendations for achieving federal HSI designation. 

More information can also be found by watching EmPower Hour: UCLA Efforts to Become a Hispanic-Serving Institution, hosted by Diversity Programs and Initiatives under UCLA Alumni Affairs.

***

Alumni who are interested in joining a committee, attending an event, making a donation, becoming a mentor ꟷ or any of the many ways UCLA Latino Alumni Association members are making a difference for UCLA students ꟷ can find more information here.

Recent Articles

Bruin Send Off-Oregon 2023

Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 3

A

s the summer sizzles, so should your food. We've compiled for you the third edition of select Bruin culinary businesses to tempt your taste buds and lure you to dine out in support of these UCLA alumni. Warning: the following images will make you hungry.

Contigo Latin Kitchen

Owner/Founder: Deborah Tenino ʼ92

Phone: 520-299-1540

Location: 3770 E. Sunrise Dr., Tucson, AZ 85718

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: eatatcontigo.com

Social: @contigolatinkitchen

About:

Contigo Latin Kitchen offers the best heirloom recipes in South America and Spain. Our menu combines vibrant flavors with the freshest ingredients available and our complex, multi-layered flavors leave diners surprised, delighted and always wanting more.

Review:

“We had a great time at Contigo Latin Kitchen. We sampled many of the tapas and my friend and I had the fish tacos which are so good, with the fish crisped to perfection. They are pet friendly and were so lovely to our little 5 lb Pomeranian Finley! We had an outdoor pet-friendly table on the patio that has a great view of the mountains on one side and a hotel, plus some people golfing, on the other. Service was lovely and friendly and prompt.” - V. V.

Blue Plate Oysterette

Owner/Founder: Jennifer Rush ʼ88

Phone: 310-576-3474

Location: 1355 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: blueplateoysterette.com

Social: @blueplateoysterette

About:

Having spent many years on the East Coast enjoying lobster rolls and clam shacks, Jenny Rush longed for this food in her hometown Santa Monica. BPO is committed to sourcing the best seafood from fishermen, purveyors and oyster farms around the world. Buying directly from fishermen and picking up daily at LAX ensures the best ocean-to-table experience.

Review:

“This was so good! The yellow tail sashimi with the green sauce was a perfect Asian-Baja mix, the touro sashimi basically melted in your mouth (and it didn't taste like metal!) and the holy trinity temaki was like a trio of flavors that basically took their time dancing on your tongue, acts one after the other, back to back, ‘til your head explodes from how genius an idea it is to have all these in one beautiful photogenic open face roll.” - Bry L.

Dulan's On Crenshaw

Owner/Founder: Greg Dulan (UCLA Extension)

Phone: 323-296-3034

Location: 4859 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: facebook.com/DulansOnCrenshaw

Social: @dulansoncrenshaw

About:

An iconic restaurant that first debuted in the '90s, Dulan's on Crenshaw Soul Food Kitchen is the home you can turn to for hearty meals, friendly staff and a strong sense of community. With our large portions, you can eat here for lunch and still have leftovers for dinner – that is if you can resist not eating every last bite. If you're planning an event and get a craving for our food, contact us for catering. We're always happy to know you enjoy the dishes we create and we can't wait to see you the next time you stop by for a taste of soul.

Review:

“The food is fresh and reminds me of the way my mom would cook when I was young. The staff was so professional and kind. And I really liked how the owner greeted my family and me to ask us if everything was okay. Great hospitality which is missing in so many places. So I will give this place a 10+ for the food and service." - Stephanie D.

n/naka

Owner/Founder: Carole Iida-Nakayama ʼ00

Phone: 310-836-6252

Location: 3455 Overland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034

Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars

Website: n-naka.com

Social: @nnakarestaurant

About:

The whole of a meal is as important as the sum of its parts. At n/naka, we are devoted to providing a unique and satisfying dining experience through our interpretation of kaiseki. This traditional Japanese culinary art form reflects the ever-changing rhythms of the earth by taking the freshest seasonal ingredients and presenting them in their most natural states. Using the very best ingredients we have access to is true kaiseki; we proudly serve vegetables from our organic garden built and maintained by our friends at Farmscape Gardens. We take great care in preparing a beautiful plate and believe that the more involvement we put into a meal – no shortcuts – the more connected we feel to the food and your experience of it. Through a meaningful balance of both traditional and modern techniques, Chef Niki Nakayama is committed to creating a meal that will engage your attention; it’s about enjoying the moment, the current offerings of the season, and ultimately, the food in front of you.

Review:

“I finally secured a spot to try n/naka! They've held two Michelin stars since 2019, and it was rated as one of the essential restaurants in L.A. It's totally worth the hype! The hospitality was professional and exceptional. Their attention to detail was amazing. Our main server Emily explained each dish thoroughly and shared a lot of her knowledge about sake, the local food scene and food in general with us. It made us feel so comfortable and at ease, which was a critical part of the kaiseki experience!” - Ya Y.

Echo

Owner/Founder: Matthias Gloppe Ext. Cert. ʼ07

Phone: +33-1-40-26-53-21

Location: 95 rue d'Aboukir, 75002 Paris, France

Yelp Rating: 5 stars

Website: echo-paris.com

Social: @echo.paris

About:

Silver Lake? Almost, but not quite. Echo is a “deli Californien” on Rue d’Aboukir, with food by Mailea Weger, an alumna of Gjusta and Gjelina in Los Angeles, and one of the latest signposts of the California dreaming that has seized Paris. They serve California-inspired burgers and wraps, plus desserts and breakfast, in a bright, casual space.

Review:

“Muah! Echo is my favorite café in Paris. I love the little hidden neighborhood it is tucked away into. It definitely has a Silver Lake vibe which reminded me greatly of home. The food is very delicate and the flavors are immaculate. The coffee was delicious and the staff was very informative and kind.” - Natalie L.

Hayato

Owner/Founder: Brandon Hayato Go ʼ00

Phone: 213-395-0607

Location: 1320 E 7th St., Suite 126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars

Website: hayatorestaurant.com

Social: @hayatorestaurant

About:

Hayato is a place where we have the responsibility of showcasing the work of master craftspeople in many fields. Potters, fishmongers, carpenters, kimono makers, tea masters, sake brewers and countless other artisans are all part of the team to help us create a dining experience. Just as we have a duty to our guests, we also have a duty to those who devote their lives to the crafts that are the building blocks of a Japanese restaurant.

Review:

“I love love love love loooooovveee! My ultimate best *FAVE* in L.A.!!! I can't believe I never wrote a review other than the bento box. So unfortunately, he doesn't make those anymore but the dinner is amazeballs! Not only is the food incredible but the experience is awesome as well. Unlike a lot of other tasting menus, you will for sure leave stuffed. Every dish is beyond fresh and delicate. Definitely lives up to their Michelin 2 Star and I hope they'll get 3 soon.” - Helz M.

Toscana Brentwood

Co-Owner/Founder: Michael Gordon ʼ61

Phone: 310-820-2448

Location: 11633 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 100A, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: toscanabrentwood.com

Social: @toscanabrentwood

About:

Toscana is a neighborhood trattoria that celebrates the rustic, authentic, farm-to-table flavors of Northern Italy. For more than 30 years, we have stood tall on a corner in Brentwood and set the backdrop for special meals shared by generations of families, friends and neighbors, as well as elites from the worlds of entertainment, sports, fashion and our valued guests from around the globe. This is a place where every guest, whether famous or not, is treated like they’re a part of our family.

Review:

“Came here for dinner last Thursday night with my sister. We got reservations less than 24 hours before, luckily for 7:30 pm. They were definitely busy but we were seated on time. We shared a special salad that was arugula, peaches, goat cheese and endive. It was very good. My sister got a fish which I believe was a branzino, which she liked. I got the black truffle pizza, which was amazing!!! I hadn't been here in probably 10 years.  I barely go to Brentwood for dinner, but I definitely would come back and I highly recommend coming for a date night or a night out!” - Joya E.

Verde

Owner/Founder: Maris Manzano Ext. Cert. ʼ03

Phone: 808-320-7088

Location: 4454 Nuhou St., Suite 501, Lihue, HI 96766

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: verdehawaii.com

Social: @verdehawaii

About:

Verde Restaurant continually strives to celebrate the essence of local food and a vibrant community valuing the support of local farmers and businesses. We opened our original location in Kapaa back in 2008 and eventually moved to Lihue in 2017. We aim to practice being green by using locally grown, sustainable ingredients, supporting local businesses and using eco-friendly takeout products. We are also proud to use local Kauai beef and antibiotic-free, hormone-free chicken and pork. Most recently, we have been using tortillas as our platform to showcase what we can grow locally and sustainably here in Hawaii, such as ulu breadfruit tortillas and sweet purple potato haupia tortillas.

Review:

“So Kauai apparently has excellent Mexican restaurants, and Verde has got to be in the top 5. Located in one of the more modern commercial developments on Kauai, it feels like a place you'd find in a mainland shopping center, but the food is anything but run-of-the-mill. The mahi-mahi furikake tacos were the best fish tacos I've had, from the furikake tortillas to the cilantro-furikake mahi-mahi with their signature aioli and unagi sauce. I wanted to try the ube horchata, but they said they ran out because it had been so hot that day. Will have to go back to try!” - Therese H.

Love and Salt

Co-Founder: Sylvie Gabriele ʼ92

Phone: 310-545-5252

Location: 317 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: loveandsaltla.com

Social: @loveandsaltla

About:

Love & Salt is a story that begins with Café Pierre, a restaurant birthed by Guy Gabriele in 1977 to bring a taste of France to Los Angeles’ South Bay. While Café Pierre was a beloved part of the community for nearly 37 years, in 2014, Guy and his daughter Sylvie Gabriele, now the owner of Love & Salt, closed the restaurant to bring new life to the iconic space. Love & Salt is a philosophy: that food needs only two ingredients to be great. It’s a sensibility that informs the feeling in the restaurant and the dishes on the menu — Italian-inspired with Southern California soul. An approachable wine list and classic cocktail program similarly reflect the vibrant SoCal setting of the restaurant, located just steps from the Manhattan Beach pier.

Review:

“We came to Love and Salt got the first time tonight and I can't say enough about how great it is. First off, serving staff was oh-so-nice and patient with my 1-year-old daughter who threw up and then dumped a plate of pasta on the floor. Not only were they friendly but so attentive and helpful to us parents. The food was all very good. My wife loved her halibut, the mussels I had were amazing and the pasta bolognese was very good. There was a problem with my mom's pasta not being warm enough but the staff made it right. Great restaurant.” - Brian P.

Angelini Osteria

Owner/Co-Founder: Elizabeth Angelini ʼ79

Phone: 323-297-0070

Location: 7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: angelinibeverly.com

Social: @angeliniosteria

About:

Gino Angelini became the youngest chef in the region’s top hotels and restaurants where his fame continued to rise. During his tenure overseas, Gino co-founded Italy’s most popular gourmet magazine, served as president of the Association of Chefs Romagnoli and was appointed the Italian Vice Commissioner of the Euro-Toques International, an organization committed to safeguarding and promoting quality and authentic food within the European network. In October 2001, he opened Angelini Osteria, in the heart of Los Angeles. Since its opening, Angelini Osteria has become known as simply everyone’s favorite Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, winning over the city with unassuming and authentic dishes in a warm, intimate setting. Gino has grown his expanding culinary portfolio into the Angelini Restaurant Group alongside his wife and business partner Elizabeth Angelini.

Review:

“It was my first time visiting, and I thanked my friend who recommended this place for me! everything was delicious - I was enjoying them so much, forgot to take pictures – and the dessert, Affogato, was the best I've ever had. They make their own olive oil and it's the best. I got a bottle to take home. The servers were fast and kind, explained the menu very nicely; and the owner, who is actually serving the table with the rest of the crew, was very, very kind. Thank you!” - Evie J.

***

To submit a Bruin-owned business for future consideration, please send a note to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

All Bruin-Owned Business Articles

• Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 3
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Fitness and Wellness 2
• Bruin-Owned Photography Part Two
• Bruin-Owned Businesses: Gift Ideas 2
• Bruin-Owned Photography
• Bruin-Owned Art Galleries and Collectives
• Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 2
• Bruin-Owned Gift Ideas
• Bruin-Owned Fitness and Wellness Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Event-Planning Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Apparel Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Beverage Businesses
• Bruin-Owned Restaurants

Bruin-Owned Articles

Recent Articles

UCLA Library Punk Archive

P

unk crashed into the Los Angeles music scene in the late 1970s. At legendary nightclubs like the Masque, Whisky a Go Go and Club 88, iconic bands with names like Black Flag, X and the Go-Gos performed for fans in torn T-shirts, spikes, safety pins and towering mohawks.

Los Angeles punk, with its chaotic sound, rebellious attitude and anti-capitalist message, fueled an aesthetic that embraced individuality and rejected societal norms — and, in turn, was often rejected by mainstream society. Soon, it inspired the creation of eclectic groups with influences from surf rock, Mexican folk music, garage bands and more.

The UCLA Library Punk Collective is a “DIY group of punks who are interested in collecting and preserving the music and culture of the Los Angeles County punk scenes.” Members of UCLA Library Special Collections (LSC) collaborate with their library colleagues, archivists, professors, students and community members to build a living document of punk music in Los Angeles, with special attention to preserving musicians and bands who fall outside the traditional narrative.

Kelly Besser ʼ94, M.S. ʼ11, library special collections archivist and punk collective member, says, “It’s life-affirming to bring the punk spirit into the library because it’s always been a place for outsiders. One thing about special collections is that it’s been seen and felt deeply as an elitist space where not everyone feels welcome. This is opening the doors to the punks, the people that have felt left out. We’re saying, ‘Your lives are important. So is your music, culture and community.’”

As a UCLA student, Besser found a place in punk. She says, “I was coming out as a feminist, diving into punk, coming out as queer, so it felt like a safe space to me. And I think that’s part of punk’s legacy in Los Angeles, that it’s been open to different genders and sexualities and there’s space for everybody.”

In the pre-digital 1970s and 80s, punk culture thrived through the tangible materials that captured its essence. The UCLA Library Punk Archive collects these artifacts — flyers, zines, photographs, sound recordings and buttons adorned with band logos. They even have the Al’s Bar Rolodex and old desk calendars with band names scribbled in the margins.

One added benefit of the collective is that many of the members are personally involved in the L.A. music scene, attending shows and meeting people. To find materials for the archive, the collective is taking time to build relationships with local musicians, promoters, artists, writers and fans.

Punk collective member, Josh Fiala ʼ05, calls himself “a long-time punk head,” who’s been “involved in the scene since grade school.” A bibliographic control coordinator for UCLA Library Special Collections, library work can be solitary but, he says, “Being in a group with like-minded people is a breath of fresh air.”

The Library’s punk archive was inspired by the Cornell University Library Hip Hop Collection. Megan Hahn Fraser, former co-head of collection management, knew that UCLA would be an ideal place to preserve this integral part of Los Angeles’ history and experience.

The archive centers around marginalized communities and places in an unconventional art form within the confines of a historically traditional framework. Part of a larger UCLA Library initiative called Collecting Los Angeles, they are preserving materials from underdocumented communities whose histories are important to Los Angeles. Besser says, “It’s important to see yourself in the archive, to have that reflection through the historical record.”

But, in punk, diverse perspectives are embraced. When Besser attended the Los Angeles Archives Bazaar, presented by L.A. as Subject and the USC Libraries, one guest objected, saying, “Punk doesn’t belong in the library, it’s for the streets. I’d rather burn my stuff than give it to you.” In an irreverent nod to punk's rebellious spirit, the collective had matchbooks printed with a riff on the title of the band The Exploited’s debut album, “Punk’s not dead. It’s archived.”

UCLA has always embraced emerging talent, and the punk music scene was no exception. Punk legends the Minutemen, the Circle Jerks, the Weirdos, Black Flag, Big Drill Car and the Ramones all rocked out on the UCLA stage. All-female band L7 took over Bruin Plaza for a noon show.

But UCLA students haven’t just been in the mosh pit. Alice Bag, whose band, the Bag, was one of the first L.A. punk bands, graduated from UCLA. John Talley-Jones ʼ79, Kjehl Johansen ʼ80, Steve Willard, Delia Frankel ʼ82 and Kevin Barrett formed the band the Urinals to perform a punk rock parody for their dorm talent show. Savage Republic’s percussive sound was created by Bruce Licher ʼ80 and Mark Erskine ʼ84. Bad Religion’s lead singer and songwriter Greg Graffin ʼ87, M.S. ʼ90, is a double Bruin with a master’s in geology. Vitus Matare ʼ79 and his bandmates fused garage, surf, folk and psychedelic rock in their power-punk band The Last.

Raymond Pettibon ʼ77 was studying economics when his brother, Greg Ginn ʼ05, started the band Black Flag. Pettibon began creating flyers, zines and album covers for his brother’s band. His hand-drawn flyers captured the energy and excitement of upcoming performances. Bob Biggs started Slash Records where he signed bands including the Germs, X and Fear. Theater arts student Penelope Spheeris ʼ69, M.A. ʼ73, produced the punk documentary “The Decline of Western Civilization.”

The first item added to the library’s punk archive was the Darby Romeo zine collection. Zines, short for "fanzines," are self-published magazines, often photocopied and cut-and-paste. Romeo and contributors interviewed punk and alternative musicians for the zine, Ben Is Dead. 

In a major acquisition of community materials, the archive received the American Hotel and Al’s Bar project records. Al’s Bar was a creative complex in downtown L.A. — punk space, gallery, theater and hotel — that recirculated financial and creative support back to the community.

As a public research university, the UCLA Library materials are available for teaching and learning. The collective based their archival theory on the idea of self-description and community use. Fiala says, “We were built around the idea of collaborating with the community. First and foremost we’re here for the UCLA community, but we also want to include members outside of the community.” To fulfill this mission, they work with researchers, attend public events and foster dialogue with the community.

They collaborate frequently with the Los Angeles Public Library on interactive zine workshops. Fiala says, “We celebrate differences in the community, address political and social issues and expand out into other multicultural areas across Los Angeles.”

The LSC Punk Collective participates in conferences, sessions and events to highlight the academic importance of preserving punk culture and collaborates with professors and students in the Herb Alpert School of Music. They frequently work with Professor Jessica Schwartz, and participated in the 2018 conference, “Curating Resistance: Punk as Archival Method.” UCLA Library Special Collections and the LSC Punk Collective organized “Outcasts, Outreach, and Organizing in the Academy” in 2020 to highlight teaching opportunities from the punk community.

Punk’s unapologetic sound lives on, on the UCLA campus and across Los Angeles. The UCLA Punk Archive is a time machine, illuminating our history through the ephemeral artifacts that tell our stories for generations to come. Collecting and documenting punk rock, with its unique and eclectic mix of cultural influences and innovation, provides a window to a better understanding of the spirit and cultural richness of Los Angeles.

If you want to learn more about the Punk Archive or check out their collection, the materials are available to students, researchers and community members by appointment. If you’re a collector of punk materials and would like to learn more about donating it to the library visit their website.

PUNK BANDS PERFORMING AT UCLA

\

Recent Articles

The Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson

A

t some point in our lives, we’ve all been convinced that we’ve had the idea for a product or service that will be the “next big thing.” For some, this inspiration may quickly materialize and flourish into a successful business. For others, more resources may be necessary to help make that lightbulb moment a reality. That’s where the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson comes into play.

Since 2018, the Venture Accelerator, housed within UCLA Anderson’s Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, has served early-stage startup businesses by offering three programs per year.  The most intensive effort is the six-month Accelerate program in the winter which consists of mentor pairings, one-on-one mentoring sessions, weekly workshops, networking events and proof-of-concept awards. 

“The intent [of the program] was to provide a physical place where founders work together and help each other solve similar problems that occur at the early stage of building a company,” said Trish Halamandaris, MBA '92, Venture Accelerator Director. “Ultimately, we are a program that helps UCLA students and alumni commercialize their intellectual property (I.P.) and learn how to validate their concept, go to market and scale efficiently once launched.”

In an age of remote and hybrid work, one unique offering of the Venture Accelerator is a physical space open 24/7 for participants and entrepreneurs to meet, connect and work on their respective businesses. With real estate in Los Angeles at a premium, the dedicated space of 10,000 square feet for startups has proved to be a major draw to its program.

“It’s not uncommon when companies are using our facility and preparing to launch their products, that they would work through the night. I would see them using the facility when I leave work in the evening, and they’re still there when I come to the office in the morning,” said Halamandaris. “Besides the medical labs, this might be one of the only spaces that's truly open 24/7 on our campus. It just makes sense for startups.”

This dedicated co-working space includes conference rooms, a kitchen, and shared office equipment and supplies. And crucially, it allows UCLA alumni to return and invest in future generations of Bruins.

“We work with UCLA alumni to be speakers, subject area experts and mentors to our companies. We love any role that alumni play, including starting their startup or side hustle,” Halamandaris explained.

Additionally, participating founders utilizing the Venture Accelerator have hired students for internship opportunities – another important layer to the beneficial partnership between alumni and students.

“It’s fun to watch alumni that have been out more than 10 years engaging with both early-stage founders and students,” said Halamandaris. “Sometimes alumni don't realize how much they've learned, and what they really know. When they have the chance to teach an early-stage founder their craft, it creates a win-win situation for the alumni and founder. Our founders are all early-stage, so they know they need the help and have a good five- to 10-year journey ahead of them.”

As for results, the success of the program speaks for itself.

According to Halamandaris, over the last five years, the Venture Accelerator has supported 237 companies with about $228 million raised in venture funding and $83 million in revenues. Additionally, there have been eight “exits,” which was when a founder of a business within the Venture Accelerator was able to sell their company. The eight exits include 81 Cents, Tutorfly, Quantvex, KPOP Foods, Textpert, VHomes, MusicProdigy and Lanikai Labs. Other featured alumni companies of the Venture Accelerator can be found on their website.

The Venture Accelerator also prides itself on serving underrepresented demographics within the private sector.

“It's important to provide opportunities for those who are capable but might not have access,” said Halamandaris. “In venture capital, about 2% or less of venture funds go to women, [the same is true for people of color]. Helping people from marginalized groups get a quick start and launch their ideas is incredibly rewarding. We are part of an ecosystem addressing the equality of funding deployment. We always wish we can do more.”

Of its 237 companies, 61% qualify as underrepresented founders. Notably, 127 current founders in the Venture Accelerator are female. Considering these statistics, the Venture Accelerator is clearly having a positive impact on all Bruins. 

“Overall, the program is working and companies are doing well. We're running at an 85% success rate, meaning companies are still operational after exiting our program,” said Halamandaris.  “As for the future, we would love to support more founders, more companies and more alumni from all parts of campus. We want to provide the business skills necessary to be a successful founder and executive…that's UCLA Anderson’s forte.  Like many of the startups, we too are fundraising for our programs to support the growing demand of founders who would like to be part of the Accelerator.”  Supporters can donate on the Accelerator website.

And while starting up a business is indeed intimidating and will require years of hard work, joining the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson is easier than one may think. Despite the name, one does not need to be a student or graduate of UCLA Anderson School of Management to join.

“We welcome all Bruins,” reports Halamandaris. “It could be graduate students, it could be UCLA alumni, UCLA faculty and staff…it could be anyone! Even if it’s UCLA alumni who want to get involved and see what they can do, we’ll welcome them.”

And the best part? The cost to join the Venture Accelerator is minimal to none. For current UCLA students that are paying tuition and employed UCLA faculty and staff, there is no cost to join the program. For UCLA alumni and community founders, there is a fee to join and get access to the many offerings of the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson.

“Since we're a public university, part of our mission is to give back to the community,” said Halamandaris. “Because of our brand name, most people think we only support Anderson. We want to better integrate with the UCLA campus and community. Our goal is to help Bruins form their companies and commercialize their I.P. so that they can potentially exit.”

Looking ahead, the team at the Venture Accelerator is already in the process of approving applicants for future cohorts that will run throughout the course of the calendar year. However, for those that are interested in turning their million-dollar idea into a reality, check their website for the open application windows, typically in April and September.

“The extensive resources available to founders is part of Anderson's long history in teaching entrepreneurship and mission in giving back to the entire campus community,” said Halamandaris. “We are interested, supportive and help people with their businesses. We want to be a place where people can go to receive support and become transformative leaders. We want to give people the opportunity to explore and discover what their company can be. We want people to know that UCLA has a thriving entrepreneurship community that is making an impact in the startup world.”

***

For more information on the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson, and to apply for future cohorts, please visit their website.

If you are a Bruin entrepreneur, be sure to nominate yourself or other founders for the Bruin Business 100, an annual recognition by the UCLA Alumni Association of successful alumni-owned businesses. Nominations will be accepted starting this fall.  

Recent Articles

When I Was at UCLA - June 2023

When I was at UCLA I clearly remember the filming of John Singleton's "Higher Learning" on campus. Since this was the early '90s, UCLA was still a major tourist destination for many people from around the globe. At least five times while strolling down Bruin Walk, I was stopped by random strangers either asking for my autograph or inquiring my opinion about filming on the UCLA campus. Nevermind the fact that I was carrying my book satchel or talking to some friends.

- Sean Anglon ʼ96

When I was at UCLA, Royce Hall was closed after the Northridge quake, I watched our men's basketball team arrive at LAX with the National Championship trophy and we beat ‘SC in football the entire time I was a student.

- Michelle Fisher May ʼ95

When I was at UCLA, there were two memorable earthquakes (Whittier and Northridge), one citywide riot followed by a weeklong curfew, heat wave and power outages before finals week, a measles outbreak before the UCLA-USC football game, a loss to Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, and Mardi Gras was still a thing. Those were some of the best years of my life though.

- Alan Chan ʼ89, M.D. ʼ94

When I was at UCLA, there was no Internet, there was "arena registration" for classes that was a huge scrum; there were interest groups of every stripe competing for attention on Bruin Walk; there were no "brand name" dining options; movie showings at Melnitz could become heated back-and-forth conversations with the director present; the music library was a cool refuge; film premieres in Westwood were common; and the gingko trees in Dickson Plaza had a distinct signature scent at certain times of the year. And the cafe on the first floor of Kerckhoff made you feel [like] you were in a different place altogether.

- Andrew Lueder ʼ91

Winter quarter freshman year January 1986. Walking to south campus, it was eerily empty on campus mid-morning. I remember passing the snack machines near Boelter Hall when I heard the broadcast from a transistor radio of a janitorial staff [member] announcing the space shuttle explosion shortly after takeoff. Frozen in my tracks, breathless, silent, my heart broke to pieces. Arrived late to class, in tears and completely distracted.

- Maria Dungo ʼ90

When I was at UCLA, I learned to think critically and question everything. Professors like the late Dr. Malcom Kerr challenged me to rethink and see the Middle East in an entirely different way. His insights have proven to stand the test of time.

- David Tenenbaum ʼ75, J.D. ʼ82

When I was at UCLA, disco and 8 tracks were in. The football team never beat ‘SC, but the men's basketball team always won the Pac-8. We registered for classes at Murphy and got our list of classes in the mail…Good times!

- Ellen Bohm Weber ʼ78

When I was at UCLA they had a Playgirl centerfold as a chemistry TA.

- Libby Anne Russler ʼ76

When I was at UCLA, I recall being in Dykstra Hall, on the upper floors, which were female only, visiting a lady friend. While “socializing” we were shocked to reality by the fire alarm. My first response was “ oh Shiite!” My moment of panic at possibly being caught in violation of rules. But happily the next thing I heard was several male voices exclaiming “#&$%” multiple spicy profanities as they too were caught with their pants down. I survived! Got caught and reported, but I survived to tell numerous variations of that story. Not sure which one is closer to the truth. Ah, youth!

- Henderson Cooper ʼ73

After graduation I turned my half-time job into a full-time job. Working on campus was great!  In addition to the atmosphere, so unlike a corporate atmosphere, I could enjoy my lunch at the botanical gardens, at north campus (I worked in the engineering building) or attend talks by acclaimed speakers. On one occasion I went to hear a talk by an author I knew a little about. He was a Black writer who had once been sent by Playboy Magazine to interview the head of the KKK -- and Playboy hadn't told the racist organization who was going to do the interview! This fellow spoke in a large auditorium during lunchtime, and the room was full. He talked about his background, noting that his grandparents had been slaves in the Antebellum South, and how difficult that was for them. He related stories passed down by them, and said he realized this information would be lost unless he documented it. He told a fascinating tale of how he researched his family tree, including flying to Africa to deepen his research. And this is how I heard the captivating story of the as-yet not published "Roots," described by Alex Haley himself, one fine day at UCLA.

- Stan Lieberson ʼ69

It was the summer of 1968 when I started graduate school at UCLA at what was then the School of Library Services located in the College Library, now Powell Library. Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy had just been assassinated. While working at my summer job at the Reserve Book Room, we watched the war zone that was the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, one of the stars of John Wooden’s legendary Bruin basketball team, often appeared at the small window to pick up reserve materials for his classes. He had to bend over double for me to see his face. I was a commuter student. As I walked from the parking lot along Bruin Walk to the library, very loud members of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) shouted their disapproval of the Vietnam War and exhibited significant hostility toward anyone they identified as military or a veteran. It was a daily gauntlet that was very upsetting as I had several friends and family in the military, including some fighting in Vietnam. In the spring of 1970, a few months before receiving my M.L.S., recruiters from the Army Library program visited the library school. They were not in the military. They were civilian civil service employees of Army Special Services, the Army’s morale and recreation agency.  After almost a year of witnessing the hostile behavior of anti-war protestors toward soldiers, I saw a way to put my training as a librarian to work to support these soldiers. I went to work for Army Libraries as an administrative librarian managing recreational libraries for the soldiers in base camps in Vietnam. That year changed my life and my world view forever. It made me a better librarian and a better person. What I learned at UCLA about libraries, librarianship and life skills helped me succeed in job responsibilities that just graduated librarians normally don’t encounter for years. In very real ways, UCLA helped to shape the rest of my life as a librarian and a person. I won’t ever forget that.

- Ann Kelsey, M.L.S. ʼ69

When I was at UCLA, I heard future president John Kennedy speak, saw the new student union open, and took a bowling class in it. Rafer Johnson was my hero. Besides winning the gold medal in the 1960 Olympics, he rescued me at the Coliseum when UCLA beat USC. A USC band member was driving his car into UCLA students rallying in the tunnel. Rafer lifted me up and moved me away from the fender of the car that trapped me against the wall.

- Chelle Brown ʼ62

When I was at UCLA, many of us were commuters. Three of us commuted from Montebello, where we all lived and had attended different high schools. Timing was crucial for getting a parking place, and I frequently parked off campus after dropping off my two ride-sharers. In those early 1950s I could drive right up to the flag pool near Haines Hall and drop off two people who had 8 a.m. classes, then cruise around for a parking spot and get to my 9 a.m. class. One of my passengers dropped out after one semester, but the other stayed with me, shared the ride and we married before the start of our last semester in 1957. We shared 60 years of marriage until her death in 2017. So, I love UCLA because just getting there every day led to the best thing in my life.

- Robert Ewing ʼ57

When I was at UCLA from 1952 to 1956 not all parking lots were paved. One morning I parked at an unpaved parking lot in the northeast part of the campus that had a bit of a slope. It rained while I was attending classes. When I returned to my car late that afternoon it was about 30 yards from where I had parked it, having slid down the slippery surface of the lot. Fortunately, it didn't contact any other vehicles on the way down as the lot was mostly empty by then.

- Bob Schneider ʼ56

If you have a story to share, finish the sentence “When I was at UCLA…” and submit it to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

When I Was at UCLA Articles

• 
  When I Was at UCLA - June 2023
• 
  When I Was at UCLA - May 2023

Recent Articles

Interview Strategies for Success

Landing a job, particularly your first, is nothing short of intimidating. The most challenging part of the process is the pressure to execute a stellar interview. This undertaking is not limited to those entering the workforce for the first time; it applies to everyone at all levels. Let's face it, interviewing is nerve-racking, especially when a lot is riding on it. A successful interview should include a strategy that involves professionalism, preparation and practice; lots of practice. Here are some tips to help build confidence and ensure everything goes well. 

Professionalism

• Show up early. Before your interview, take the time to familiarize yourself with the route to your destination, estimate how long it will take, then add an hour. Getting stuck in traffic and running the risk of being late is stressful and could compromise the quality of your interview. Arriving early for the interview will give you time to gather yourself.
• Always acknowledge the receptionist. You always want to put your best foot forward and demonstrate a friendly disposition. This will go a long way in impressing the hiring manager, who may ask the receptionist for their input. 
• Dress the part. While business casual may be the norm, it's important to show good judgment in presenting yourself as a consummate professional. Even if the interview is on Zoom, always dress for the occasion. As the saying goes, it's always better to overdress than underdress. 
• While this might seem obvious, you'd be surprised how many people forget to turn off their cell phones. If needed, set an alarm to remind you. 
• Come prepared. Always bring extra copies of your résumé, a notepad, a pen, a water bottle and your list of questions for the interviewer. 
• Never speak poorly about your present or former employer. Doing so will come across as classless and offensive. 
• Always send a thank you note, preferably on the same day as your interview. Thank the interviewer for their time, and always end it by expressing your interest in the job. 
• Don't hound the hiring manager. It's fair to ask when you might hear back from them, but past that, let the employer take the lead. 

Preparation

• Do your homework. There's nothing worse than a candidate who doesn't take the time to research the organization, especially when information is readily available on the company website and Google. You risk portraying a lack of interest in the role by skipping this critical step. Also, research the hiring manager. This is when LinkedIn comes in handy. 
• Video interviews are becoming more common; therefore, you’ll want to choose a quiet and well-lit area. You don't want anything to distract the interviewer, so ensure your surroundings are tidy.   
• Log on to the designated video app several minutes beforehand to avoid last-minute technical difficulties. Ensure that no pending updates or reboots are required ahead of time. Installing updates can take some time, potentially making you late for your appointment. Also, test your camera and microphone to be sure they're functioning properly.

Practice

• Many sample interview questions are available online that you can utilize to practice interviewing. This is an excellent opportunity to refine your answers to make sure they are clear and to the point. 
• Be mindful of body language. Good posture and eye contact are signs that you are engaged in the conversation.  
• Come up with a concise way to discuss your work experience related to the position, your key accomplishments and the reasons for your moves. 
• When asked to describe your strengths, be bold. Practice your response and include examples that complement the role. 
• When asked to describe your weaknesses, flip the script. Instead of weaknesses, describe experiences and skills you'd like to refine that offer room for growth.
• Time management is key. Pace yourself. Don't spend too much time answering each question — especially the first few. That will throw off the rhythm of the interview. The typical interview will consist of about 10 questions. Ensure you leave time to answer them all and still have time for Q&A.  
• And most important, practice, practice, practice! Conduct a mock interview and record yourself. There's no better way to gauge your impact and effectiveness. 

Lastly, be yourself and have fun. Reaching the interview stage means you’re that much closer to landing that coveted job. The less pressure you put on yourself, the better. Approach each opportunity with the three Ps mentioned above and your confidence and likability will shine through.

The Career Engineering series features the expert advice of Amy Rueda, a 25-year veteran of executive search, who has placed CEOs and C-suite executives across multiple industries and functional areas. Her passion for leading diversity initiatives that focus on change management and employee engagement is reflected in her portfolio of accomplishments. Amy studied political science and was born and raised in Los Angeles.

Email your career questions to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu and Amy will try and answer them in next month’s issue of Career Engineering.

Career Engineering Home Page

Lessons I Learned at UCLA, by Barbra Lyons, Class of 2023

F

our years ago, I stepped foot onto the UCLA campus for the very first time as a student. I had little to no idea of what to expect of what was to come during my time here. As I wandered the hills of campus aimlessly looking for my freshman chemistry discussion, I remembered years ago driving through the streets of Westwood with my mom seeing college students with their backpacks and thinking how cool it was that all of these individuals were UCLA students. To be quite honest, I had no intention of attending UCLA and even after applying thought that the odds of me actually getting in were slim to none. But on that fateful day four years ago, when I opened my acceptance letter, everything changed. Now as a senior looking back, just a mere days away from graduation, I can see just how much this school has taught me not only about myself, but about the world in which we live. I am so grateful to have attended this school as it has brought me so many wonderful friends, memories and experiences that I will cherish forever.

Make Every Moment Count

As someone whose freshman through junior years of college were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, making the most of the time that we had while not locked in our homes was of the utmost importance. This not only translates to school, but also with friends, family, peers and even professors. Taking advantage of the opportunity to just be with people physically taught me the importance of living in the moment and maximizing each window of opportunity to its fullest potential.

No One Knows What the Future Holds and That Is Okay

If you were to tell me this four years ago, I would have laughed and thought you were joking. We go to UCLA; everyone must have it figured out, right? Not exactly. However, after much further observation and understanding, I have learned that more often than not, people are just taking things day by day and tackling the hurdles as they come along. This slightly terrifying yet just as equally refreshing lesson has helped me through some of the highs and lows that college brings. At the end of the day, everyone is on the same train trying to figure things out and not knowing what comes next is absolutely okay. While the unknown can be scary, it also can be a blank canvas and we are given the creativity to make it what we want for ourselves.

The Importance of Discovering Yourself

While four years is not a large amount of time, it is amazing how much change you can experience and how much you can learn about yourself when you are pushed to limits that are beyond the scope of your imagination. No matter what instances or individuals you encounter while in college, it is of the utmost importance to be true to yourself and take pride in the things that make you, you.

UCLA has by far been the most impactful and rewarding experience of my life thus far and I would not be the person that I am today without each and every interaction and experience that I have had as a student. I will miss the large and exciting moments just as much as I will miss the small and quiet moments with this campus, the people and, most importantly, myself.

Barbra Lyons is graduating from UCLA with a B.S. in psychobiology. She will be pursuing a career as a physician's assistant and would one day love to work in pediatrics and move to the East Coast. Originally from Los Angeles, Lyons was involved with many student organizations, such as Camp Kesem, the Pediatric AIDS Coalition, the Hellenic Student Association, Care Extenders and many more. She has worked as the marketing assistant in the UCLA Alumni Association since 2021. 

Lessons I Learned at UCLA Series:

• 
  Lessons I Learned at UCLA, by Barbra Lyons, Class of 2023
• 
  Lessons I Learned at UCLA By Antonia Klima, Class of 2021
• 
  A Letter to My Freshman Self: Five Things I Learned at UCLA

Recent Articles

• 
  The Fire Within: Leo Rochman’s Story of Resilience
• 
  UC Inspires Honors UCLA Alumni
• 
  UCLA AAP Alumni Spotlight - Adrianos Facchetti ’01, J.D.
• 
  The Story Behind Jackie Robinson’s 1946 Reintegration of Organized Baseball
• 
  UCLA Prytanean Celebrates Its Centennial
• 
  Building Community: UCLA Disability Alumni Network Focuses on Belonging and Visibility

Diversity Digest Spotlight - Re-Emergence: Learning and Leading with AAPAN President Kiet Lam

Denise Pacheco, M.A. ’04, Ph.D. ’11, Senior Director for UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives connected with 2023 Volunteer of the Year and UCLA Academic Advancement Program Alumni Network (AAPAN) president, Kiet Lam ’98, M.P.H. ’00, to learn more about his experience at UCLA, his connection to the UCLA Academic Advancement Program (AAP) and the launch of its official alumni network.

K

iet Lam is the founder and CEO of Climb Healthcare Consulting in the San Francisco Bay Area where he prioritizes client service while helping improve the financial health of hospitals and health systems. Named the 2023 Volunteer of the Year by UCLA Alumni, Lam serves as the inaugural president of the UCLA Academic Advancement Program Alumni Network (AAPAN). Founded in 2021, AAPAN seeks to establish an association that furthers philanthropy for experienced Academic Advancement Program (AAP) alumni, offers professional development opportunities for recent AAP graduates and expands upon the academic and leadership excellence that is the hallmark of the AAP program to continue to support first-generation professionals.

When Lam arrived at UCLA as a first-generation college student he had already overcome many obstacles. He was five years old when he traversed the South China Sea for four days on a fishing boat with his mother and two older brothers, escaping Vietnam for a refugee camp in Malaysia. He and his family were able to seek amnesty in the United States through sponsorship with his aunt. His refugee background and subsequent upbringing in San Diego and other parts of Southern California led him to UCLA as a first-generation college student where he was first acquainted with the University through the UCLA Academic Advancement Program and its Freshman Summer Program.

Lam credits the AAP with his success at UCLA and beyond: “AAP is a lifeline to those like me, who just don’t have the knowledge, experience or resources to adapt to and then navigate college.” It is that same lifeline that Lam aims to offer alumni of the AAP program through the work of AAPAN. Leveraging the determination, success, passion and experience of UCLA Academic Advancement Program graduates, he hopes that alumni like himself can impact the lives of recent graduates through networking and mentorship. “I am a living example of the power of opportunity and access and what it can result in. There are many examples like myself when you look at the many years of AAP alumni,” Lam said.

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lam found many opportunities to reflect on the privileges that he currently holds. “Access to food, health care, and higher education are among things that we take for granted daily. I found myself asking, ‘What can we do more to help our community.’” Launching the AAP Alumni Network in 2021 at the height of the pandemic was one way that Lam sought to support his community. For Lam AAP was the first extension of his personal network that helped him navigate the University and set a foundation for success. He believed that an established alumni network could help “pandemic graduates” entering the workforce by offering networking and mentorship opportunities with other AAP graduates.

The pandemic’s shift to remote, and sometimes hybrid, activity and work brought many challenges and opportunities as well. “As leaders we need to get creative and provide opportunities to re-engage in a hybrid setting,” he said. “I have learned to be more patient with initiatives, and rolling them out so we can take these things into consideration.” Since its launch, the network has hosted both in-person and fully remote programs to reach AAP alumni wherever they are.

Lam has a lot of optimism for the future of the AAP Alumni Network and aims to continue to learn and grow as the network develops. Through his work with the founding board members and UCLA Alumni Affairs staff, AAPAN was successfully launched at the Academic Advancement Program’s 50th Anniversary Gala in December of 2021.

“There are people like myself who are now making efforts to be cognizant of their privilege and resources and want to make a positive impact. Some need guidance on how they can help, or nudges in the right direction. Through AAPAN, I hope to find these people and organize them to collectively make a bigger impact.”

You can learn more about the Academic Advancement Program Alumni Network and how you can get involved by visiting our website.

Diversity Programs & Initiatives

Recent Articles

• 
  The Fire Within: Leo Rochman’s Story of Resilience
• 
  UC Inspires Honors UCLA Alumni
• 
  UCLA AAP Alumni Spotlight - Adrianos Facchetti ’01, J.D.
• 
  The Story Behind Jackie Robinson’s 1946 Reintegration of Organized Baseball
• 
  UCLA Prytanean Celebrates Its Centennial

UCLA Alumni Awards-2023