Author Archives: Hon Hoang

International Women of Courage

International Women of Courage Awardees (from left) Facia Boyenoh Harris, Roya Sadat, Arbana Xharra, Quynh Nguyen, Fatou Baldeh and Agather Atuhaire

An investigative journalist from Kosovo shining a light on human-rights abuses; an acclaimed filmmaker from Afghanistan centering women's voices; and a transformative leader from The Gambia who is fighting to break a generational cycle of abuse.

These are women who have faced danger across the globe to take a stand for peace, justice, human rights and the empowerment of women and girls. They are all past honorees of the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award, presented by the U.S. Secretary of State, which has recognized more than 190 women from 90 countries since 2007.

In honor of Women’s History Month, UCLA Anderson hosted an event on March 4 to honor and celebrate the IWOC awardees with the support of UCLA Alumni Affairs, the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, the International Institute, and American Women for International Understanding (AWIU).

Women of Courage Panel with Heather Caruso

Heather Caruso, UCLA Anderson School of Management faculty member, associate dean for inclusive excellence and faculty co-director of the Inclusive Ethics Initiative, said, “University communities like ours are so rich and vibrant; we are not meant to stand apart from the world's hardest challenges. We are meant to engage them — thoughtfully, rigorously and in partnership with those leading the work on the ground.”

UCLA Anderson created the IWOC campus visit program in 2024, supported by a longstanding relationship with the American Women for International Understanding. AWIU is a community of women whose mission is to build bridges of international understanding through connection and collaboration, and to empower women to become highly effective global leaders.

Cynthy Moffatt, MBA '88, an AWIU board member, past IWOC celebration chair and current advisor on IWOC programming and relations, shared the story of how the partnership began. Several years ago, she was invited to attend an IWOC celebration in Washington, D.C. through AWIU and became passionate about the program. She said, “Given my ties to UCLA, and the fact that my husband, Jim Moffatt, MBA '87, is on the Anderson board, I reached out to the dean at the time, Judy Olian, who was the first to support the celebration.” UCLA Anderson began sponsoring funding grants for the honorees and inviting students to attend IWOC events. She continued, “Heather Caruso and a few students were so inspired that they wanted to bring the honorees to campus. It’s grown from a sponsorship into a deep, mutual exchange between the University's expertise and these global leaders.”

This year's International Women of Courage event opened with small-group roundtables, bringing together UCLA leadership, faculty and staff to bridge the gap between academic research and grassroots international community work. Many of the IWOC awardees came from countries where it was rare for women to pursue a formal university education. To further their work, they needed to build a network of support. Their time at UCLA was designed to build connections with academics, scholars and activists.

Denise Pacheco, M.A. ’04, Ph.D. ’11, senior director of Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives, represented UCLA Alumni Affairs at the event and participated in the roundtable discussions. She said, “One of the most important threads that binds us as Bruins is our optimism and commitment to leading bold and courageous change in the world. Participating in events like this allows us to leverage the power of not only our Bruin community in Westwood, but that of our nearly 700,000 living alumni all around the globe in support of the incredible work of these honorees.”

The discussion groups were followed by a panel that featured three past IWOC awardees: Roya Sadat, an Afghan filmmaker whose boundary-breaking work inspires change; Arbana Xharra, an investigative journalist recognized for her reporting on extremism and human-rights abuses in the Balkans; and Fatou Baldeh, a human rights advocate who is a leading voice in the campaign to end gender-based violence.

Roya Sadat, 2018 IWOC awardee, shares her story.

The panel was moderated by Katelyn Choe, a recently retired foreign service officer. Choe began by reading the poem “Gate A4” by Arab American poet Naomi Shihab Nye about a chance meeting in an airport which becomes a true moment of connection. She told the gathered crowd, “This panel is about courage, but it's also about what happens around courage, the accumulation of steady acts that allow it to endure.”

Roya Sadat, 2018 IWOC awardee, spoke of ensuring that women's voices were part of the public record. She said, “My work comes with a heavy history, but at the same time it is entertainment. We invited people to talk about taboo things in our society, and it has opened a conversation between younger and older generations.” Sadat is the first woman director in post-Taliban Afghan cinema. Her feature film “A Letter to the President” was Afghanistan’s official submission to the 2018 Academy Awards.

Arbana Xharra, 2015 IWOC awardee, shared how she discovered the power of journalism while fleeing her country. “At the border, with the English that I could speak, I told the media what was happening in my country. At that time, I realized what it means to be a voice for the voiceless. What it means to be a journalist.” She has started a podcast, “Not Silent,” to amplify the voices of women in conflict zones around the world.

Fatou Baldeh, 2024 IWOC awardee, was named a 2025 Time Woman of the Year. She is the founder of Women in Liberation and Leadership, a survivor-led organization working to abolish female genital mutilation (known as FGM/C or cutting). This dangerous practice, rooted in tradition, creates a lifetime of risks and has impacted more than 230 million girls and women, mainly in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Baldeh said of her work, “I advocate and educate against a harmful traditional practice deeply rooted in my culture. If we do not speak on this issue, it's never going to end. We must break the cycle.”

The collaboration between UCLA and IWOC honorees is fostering opportunities to create lasting change. After Baldeh visited UCLA in 2024 and 2025, she connected with global health advocate Dr. Aparna Sridhar, a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA. This meeting has grown into an ongoing collaboration to build interventions that will strengthen the fight to end female genital mutilation. The partnership is launching a health education project in Gambia, integrating FGM/C education into medical training to ensure future healthcare providers have the skills to eliminate the practice.

Pairing advocacy leaders with UCLA’s academic experts has resulted in numerous benefits. Moffatt said, “UCLA is a prestigious, global university with a vast range of disciplines. Whether an honoree is focused on medicine, social welfare or agriculture, UCLA has the corresponding expertise. We’re pairing global advocacy leaders with leaders in education."

Other past IWOC awardees also attended the day’s events including: Quynh Nguyen, 2017 awardee, a Vietnamese blogger whose commentary on corruption and injustice led to a prison sentence; Facia Boyenoh Harris, 2022 awardee, an attorney and journalist focused on gender issues in Liberia; Dr. Benafsha Yaqoobi, 2024 awardee, founder of The Organization of Rahyab for Rehabilitation Services for the blind (ORRSB) in Afghanistan; and Agather Atuhaire, 2024 awardee, a Ugandan journalist, lawyer and social justice activist.

Caruso emphasized the impact of bringing the women and their stories to UCLA. She said, “These are not distant stories. They intersect with the work of our university, with the responsibilities of leaders, with the choices that every one of us makes every day about where to direct our attention, our energy and our support.”

If you'd like to learn more or get involved with American Women for International Understanding, please visit https://awiu.org/.

Mandla Kayise '87, M.U.R.P. '23, Has Made Empowerment His Life's Work

Mandla Kayise’s UCLA journey began with ambition and activism. As an undergraduate in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he pursued engineering while immersing himself in campus leadership through the Black Student Alliance and student government. Balancing both proved difficult. Without clear guidance on how to navigate a rigorous academic track while pursuing high-level leadership, Kayise struggled with self-discipline and with institutional policies. During what would have been his junior year, two difficult quarters triggered an automatic academic dismissal.

He describes that period as transformative. “It was a wake-up moment for me. It was a game-changer,” he said. Though his overall academic record remained solid, he did not fully understand how university policies worked or how quickly one’s academic standing could shift. After his dismissal, he entered what he calls a survival period, working a series of jobs over three and a half years.

At one point, he held a coveted position as a junior engineer at Hughes Aircraft. For someone from his community, it was a rare opportunity. Yet the financial stability did not resolve the deeper issue. “I had this sense of an unfulfilled mission,” he said. That unfinished purpose eventually brought him back to UCLA.

When he returned, Kayise pivoted, choosing international economics so that his extensive calculus coursework would apply directly to his new major. The move was practical and forward-looking. His interest in quantitative analysis later led him to a UCLA graduate program in urban planning, where economic data intersected with social realities and community development.

Retention Through Empowerment

Kayise’s experience as a student who nearly became part of a statistic that institutions often failed to account for shaped his life’s work. He recalls learning that for Black students entering around 1980, the five-year graduation rate was roughly 22 percent. Students who stepped out and did not return often disappeared from the data and fell off the institution’s radar.

That reality became a driving force. “I kind of looked at retention through that lens,” he said. His question became clear: What does it actually take for students to persist in institutions that expect them to navigate complex systems independently?

As president and CEO of New World Education, Kayise centers his work on empowerment. Influenced by popular education frameworks he encountered in graduate school, he rejects top-down approaches that treat individuals or communities as problems to be fixed. “Empowerment has informed all of that work,” he said. “It’s very difficult to facilitate empowerment if you yourself are not operating from a place of empowerment.”

His professional development framework, the House Method, rests on four core practices: self-awareness, navigating professional spaces, holistic goal-setting and consistent self-reflection. Kayise encourages young professionals to conduct their own self-evaluations rather than waiting for formal feedback. In a rapidly changing workplace, he argues, growth must be proactive and self-directed.

From Deficit to Asset

Across K-12, community college and university settings, Kayise identifies the lack of nurtured self-awareness as a central barrier, particularly for students from under-resourced communities. Institutions often emphasize what students do not know or where they fall short, rather than building upon the skills and strengths they already have as a foundation for supporting future growth.

In contrast, Kayise guides students in explicitly recognizing their potential. He asks them to identify three interests, three skills and three personal qualities. Each person’s list is unique, forming what he calls an educational and professional DNA. “Everybody has them,” he said. The exercise shifts students from being defined by deficits to recognizing capacity.

“You know your floor,” he added. “But you never really take stock of what is your ceiling.”

By beginning with assets rather than gaps, students engage institutions from a position of agency rather than insecurity.

Ownership in Community Work

Kayise applies the same philosophy to community development. In under-resourced neighborhoods, he believes meaningful participation begins with ownership. Residents must see themselves not simply as recipients of services, but as decision-makers who can define how resources are used.

“Residents are ready to take ownership. They don’t know how,” he said. Providing education about land use, economics and resource distribution equips communities to understand how neighborhood conditions are shaped.

He also emphasizes inclusive engagement. Working only with homeowners, he argues, elevates a relatively privileged subgroup within an under-resourced neighborhood. Instead, he advocates for including tenants, transitory residents and individuals who have experienced homelessness or incarceration in neighborhood planning and decision-making about how communities are served and how resources are distributed. “These are people who paid the ultimate price,” he said. “So how do you take advantage of their knowledge?”

Local Context and Reparations

Kayise’s service on the Los Angeles Reparations Advisory Commission deepened his understanding of place-based harm. Examining housing segregation at the neighborhood level revealed how geographic confinement shaped access to education, economic opportunity and health care. It also intensified exposure to over-policing and racial violence.

“When you look at it at the neighborhood level, you realize the depth of the harm,” he said. Concentrated trauma, he noted, becomes compounded trauma when residents experience its effects daily within confined spaces.

As part of the commission’s outreach, Kayise helped deliver more than 80 presentations to churches, schools and community groups. While state and national conversations draw greater attention, he believes local dialogue is essential. “The evolving community-level conversation is essential to the outcome,” he said. The commission has since submitted its recommendations to the Los Angeles City Council, bringing reparations into formal policy discussions and outlining proposals addressing housing, economic opportunity and education.

Advice for Bruins

For UCLA students and alumni seeking to create positive change, Kayise’s guidance begins with reflection. “Know and mobilize your personal story,” he said. "Education should be grounded in a mission larger than individual advancement."

Many marginalized students carry an unspoken community expectation, he noted. Education is often seen not only as personal advancement but as an opportunity to uplift family and community. Professional culture often reinforces individual achievement, but Kayise rejects the idea that success requires separation from one’s roots. Instead, he encourages students to intentionally align their careers with ways to support and invest back into the communities that shaped them. “You’re likely going to have to carve that path out for yourself,” he said.

Alignment between career and community rarely happens by accident. It requires intention, self-awareness and sustained commitment.

Kayise’s engagement with UCLA did not end at graduation. After roughly a decade as a staff member supporting student-initiated outreach and retention programs, he left the University but remained connected. Former student leaders reached out, asking him to return as an adviser. He re-engaged through the UCLA Black Alumni Association viewing Alumni Affairs as an extension of a mission rather than a social network.

For Kayise, UCLA’s alumni community represents potential for long-term partnership and impact. His career reflects a consistent belief: education, when grounded in empowerment and accountability to the community, becomes a catalyst for systemic change.

Diversity Digest

These alumni feature articles are developed by the Alumni Diversity Programs and Initiatives team to amplify the impact and reach of incredible Bruins across generations. They are published as part of the quarterly Diversity Digest newsletter, which highlights opportunities to engage with UCLA and the alumni community through a social justice lens.

Know a Bruin whose story should be told? We'd love to hear from you.

Subscribe to the Diversity Digest Nominate Someone for a Feature

Questions? Reach us at diversity@alumni.ucla.edu

“How Firm Thy Friendship, O-hi-o” – The Kidney Transplant That Formed a Bruin-Buckeye Bond

As a Bruin, Hernando Marroquin ’74 bleeds blue and gold through and through. But in July 2023, the Ohio State Buckeyes became a vital part of his life.

Literally.

In the summer of 2021, Marroquin began experiencing symptoms of kidney failure. Over the next two years, he made significant lifestyle changes in an effort to protect his health, including adopting a vegan diet. Years earlier, Hernando had also undergone bypass surgery.

After connecting with Dr. Anjay Rastogi, head of nephrology and the CORE Kidney Program at UCLA Health, Marroquin was placed on the transplant waitlist and became a candidate for the program. Not long after learning he would need a new kidney, three individuals stepped forward as potential donors. But after a series of detailed and rigorous screenings, each was ruled out as a match.

Then, on July 20, 2023, came the call.

“I remember it clearly,” Fran Marroquin ’73, Hernando’s wife, said with a smile. “The transplant coordinator from the Connie Frank Transplant Center at UCLA Health called Hernando and said, ‘I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is we found a donor. The bad news is you need to be ready for surgery by next Tuesday.’ Hernando had to stop him — this was anything but bad news.”

Five days later, on July 25, 2023, Hernando underwent a successful kidney transplant. The new kidney functioned immediately.

While the procedure was a success, one question lingered: Who had made this life-saving gift possible?

Because of HIPAA privacy laws, the Marroquins were initially unable to connect directly with the donor. That didn’t stop them from trying.

“The doctors were impressed by how positive he was and how quickly he regained his health,” Fran said. “Hernando was basically back to full health.”

“We sent messages through our transplant coordinator. I gave my name, my phone number, sent letters — the works,” Hernando said. “I was so thankful. I just wanted to express my gratitude.”

Every message made its way to the donor through the transplant network coordinated by the University of Cincinnati. But it wasn’t until a Christmas card in the winter of 2024 that Hernando received a reply from Dave Jessen — a retired mechanical engineer from Wapakoneta, Ohio, and a lifelong Buckeyes fan.

“It wasn’t that I wasn’t appreciative,” Jessen said. “It just took me time to process what had happened and the outpouring of gratitude from Hernando.”

Phone calls followed. A friendship began to take shape. And when the opportunity arose to meet in person, the setting felt almost too fitting.

On Nov. 15, 2025, Marroquin’s Bruins traveled to Columbus to face Jessen’s Buckeyes. Before kickoff, the UCLA Alumni Association hosted a Bruin Bash pregame event at the Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University.

“We had spoken so many times on the phone that I felt like we already knew each other,” Jessen said. “But it was special to finally meet in person. They’re so focused on giving back to the community — truly wonderful, caring people.”

“When we first met, I gave him a big hug,” Hernando said. “I immediately felt a connection with Dave. He’s one of the most humble people I’ve ever met.”

During the Bruin Bash, Alumni Association staff presented Jessen with a UCLA blanket after Fran shared the story of the transplant and the remarkable bond that followed.

“Even though it was a home game for Ohio State, we were blown away by the kindness and hospitality of the UCLA fans and staff,” Jessen said. “UCLA has some great people. Bruins should be proud.”

The Buckeyes went on to win, 48-10. But by then, the scoreboard felt secondary. The next day, Fran and Hernando Marroquin and Dave and Amy Jessen gathered again for lunch, cementing a friendship that would extend well beyond a single Saturday in November.

Long before experiencing life-saving care at UCLA Health, Fran and Hernando had already built a lifetime of ties to UCLA.

Fran’s father, Rudy Cordova, earned his Ph.D. in education from UCLA in 1970. Fran graduated in 1973 with a degree in sociology, and Hernando followed in 1974. Married since 1978, they later watched their children, Andrew and Amanda, continue the family tradition as Bruins.

“UCLA’s been such a vital part of our family,” Fran said. “We raised our kids as Bruins, took them to games, and now we’re taking our grandkids. Game day is a big deal for us.”

But to the Marroquins, UCLA is more than game days or diplomas on the wall.

Since 1990, they have owned and operated several McDonald’s franchises across the West Coast, employing more than 2,000 people. The family’s management has also been recognized for its excellence by McDonald’s corporate office. Humbly, the Marroquins credit both their UCLA education and their upbringing for shaping their leadership and work ethic.

“UCLA helped us learn how to run a business,” Fran said. “But our parents taught us how to work hard. That’s what we passed on to our kids.”

UCLA’s impact has also been profoundly personal.

“UCLA saved my daughter’s life after a horrific accident the day after her high school graduation,” Fran said. “And, of course, it saved Hernando’s life with his kidney transplant. Its impact runs deep in our family.”

Today, the Marroquins channel that gratitude into action — supporting the Wooden Athletic Fund, the UCLA Alumni Association, the UCLA Latino Alumni Association and UCLA Health. They have given several scholarships through the Latino Alumni Association and are currently establishing a scholarship fund for students in the medical field. They have also been instrumental in the opening and expansion of the Ronald McDonald Westside House near campus, supporting UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.

“UCLA has impacted our family so much — Fran’s parents, us, our kids and so many others,” Hernando said. “It’s a joy to give back because it has given us so much. We try to impact as many people as possible. That’s always been our goal.”

“We don’t just want to give money and walk away,” he added. “We want to invest in people. With our scholarship fund, I hope a future medical student sees the impact UCLA had on their life and chooses to give back someday. We want them to know we believe in them.”

Since that November meeting in Columbus, the Marroquins and the Jessens have remained in regular contact. Plans are already forming for a reunion when the Buckeyes travel west.

Until then, as Ohio State’s hallowed alma mater “Carmen Ohio” reminds its faithful…

“The seasons pass, the years will roll;

Time and change will surely show.

How firm thy friendship — O-hi-o!”

And thanks to a donated kidney — and a new chapter in conference realignment — that friendship now includes UCLA.

March is National Kidney Month, a time when communities across the country raise awareness about kidney disease. Learn more about UCLA’s groundbreaking work in kidney research and treatments, and discover how to take charge of your health and the many factors that go into managing kidney disease.

L.A. County Supervisors Honor Bruin Freedom Riders

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell honored Freedom Riders Robert Singleton ʼ60, M.A. ʼ62, Ph.D. ʼ83, and Helen Singleton ʼ74, while Supervisor Janice Hahn honored Robert Farrell ʼ61 at a Black History Month event on Feb. 24, 2026, in Downtown L.A.

Books by Bruins: Love Stories

ebruary is a month for love stories, whether it’s a romance novel, personal tale of love and loss, or a book about self-care. Bruin authors are telling tales of love, and one of the books listed below might be just what your heart needs!

Maybe Someone Like You (2018)

Stacy Wise ’92

Stacy Wise is an award-winning author of the romance novels “Beyond the Stars” and “Maybe Someone Like You.” After a decade working in television casting, she returned to school and received her teaching credential and master's degree from Chapman University. She has taught both kindergarten and third grade. A native of California, she lives with her family and three fluffy dogs in Los Angeles. After writing two successful romance novels, her most recent book, “Lie, Lie Again,” focuses on the ups and downs of female friendships.

Will There Be Wine?: A Novel (2023)

Whitney Cubbison ’98

The fictional books “Will There be Wine?” and its sequel, “Will There Be Love?” were inspired by the author’s experiences as an ex-pat divorcée living in Paris while navigating the cultural minefield of dating in a foreign country. Whitney Cubbison is a dual American and French citizen living in Paris since 2009. She grew up in Texas and California and graduated from UCLA with a degree in French. She started her career in communications working for high-tech PR agencies in San Francisco and 16 years at Microsoft, mostly in the Paris office. She earned her French citizenship in 2022 and left Microsoft that summer to focus on completing her first novel.

Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How to Love (2025)

Mike de la Rocha ’00

“Sacred Lessons” is a deeply moving and inspiring memoir for those seeking self-love and healing. Intensely personal, this memoir delves into the struggle men face in connecting with themselves and others, offering tools for personal growth, and ways to build meaningful and authentic relationships in their lives. Mike de la Rocha is a strategist, artist and voice for change. He’s been named one of GOOD magazine’s top 100 people reshaping our world, received the AFL-CIO’s Justice, Peace and Freedom Award, and has been lauded as a groundbreaking innovator by Stanford Social Innovation Review. A proud alumnus of UCLA, he co-founded Revolve Impact and Tepito Coffee, one of the fastest growing Latinx coffee companies in America. He lives in Los Angeles with his family.

Love in a Time of War: My Years With Robert Fisk (2021)

Lara Marlowe ’78

In this true story of love and war, Lara Marlowe was a young American reporter who would become a renowned journalist in her own right. She met famous war correspondent Robert Fisk in 1983 in Damascus. This book is the story of a remarkable man, war in the Middle East and a moving account of a relationship in dark times. Marlowe studied French at UCLA and the Sorbonne, then international relations at Oxford. She started her career in journalism as an associate producer with CBS's “60 Minutes,” then covered the Arab world from Beirut for the Financial Times and TIME magazine. She joined the Irish Times as Paris correspondent in 1996 and returned to Paris in 2013 after serving as Washington correspondent during the first Obama administration.

Sushi Tuesdays: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Resilience (2023)

Charlotte Maya, J.D. ’93

Faced with a shattering loss, Charlotte Maya searches for answers, acceptance and family resilience. Her story offers intimate moments, powerful lessons and practical ways to move forward after loss, not only for suicide survivors but for any of us seeking to live a life of joy and purpose. Widowed at 39, when her children were six and eight, Maya’s writing explores the intersections of grief, parenting and self-care. She received her B.A. from Rice University and her J.D. from UCLA.

Reeling Through Life: How I Learned to Live, Love and Die at the Movies (2015)

Tara Ison ’87

Through 10 personal essays, Tara Ison explores how a lifetime of movie-watching taught her how to grapple with major life choices, for better or worse. She is the author of the romance novel “Rockaway,” an O Magazine 2013 Best Books of Summer and “The List, A Child Out of Alcatraz,” a finalist for The Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Her short fiction and essays have appeared in Tin House, The Kenyon Review, Nerve.com, Publishers Weekly and numerous anthologies. She is the co-author of the cult film "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead."

Getting It Right This Time: Break Free from Your Hidden Blocks to Lasting Love (2025)

Orna Walters ’88, Matthew Walters

Dating is made even more complicated because of the pervasive myth that love will magically happen by accident, like winning the lottery. Or that it will happen when you least expect it. In “Getting It Right This Time,” Orna and Matthew Walters, holistic dating coaches and founders of Creating Love on Purpose, teach readers how to take a conscious approach to relationships. Orna and Matthew didn’t meet until after 40, were married at the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple, live in Los Angeles with their two silly calico cats and grow organic food in a community garden.

My Chicano Heart (2024)

Daniel A Olivas, J.D. ’84

"My Chicano Heart" is a collection of author Daniel A. Olivas's stories that explore the complex, mysterious and occasionally absurd machinations of people who simply want to be appreciated and treasured. Olivas is the grandson of Mexican immigrants, born and raised near downtown Los Angeles. He is an award-winning author of fiction, nonfiction, plays and poetry. Widely anthologized, Olivas has written on culture and literature for The New York Times, Los Angeles Review of Books, BOMB, Jewish Journal, High Country News and The Guardian. He writes regularly for La Bloga, a site dedicated to Latinx literature and the arts. By day, Olivas is an attorney and makes his home in Southern California.

Loathe at First Sigh: A Novel (2020)

Suzanne Park, MBA ’02

In this rom-com romance, a junior video game producer finds herself getting closer and closer to the one person she hates most after a mass troll attack online almost ruins her life. An NPR Best Book of the Year, this workplace story is set in the world of video game design.

Suzanne Park is a Korean American writer who was born and raised in Tennessee. She is also the author of the adult novels “The Do-Over” and “So We Meet Again.” Park currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, female offspring and a sneaky rat that creeps around on her back patio. In her spare time, she procrastinates.

Liquid: A Novel (2025)

Mariam Rahmani, Ph.D. ’19

Mariam Rahmani delivers a modern tale of romance, loss and belonging. This satirical novel tells the story of a young Muslim adjunct professor who decides to give up her career and marry rich, committing herself to 100 dates in the course of a single summer. Mariam Rahmani is a writer and translator. She holds a Ph.D. in comparative literature from UCLA and teaches at Bennington College.

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As our collection of Bruin authors grows, we’re categorizing the books into an online library, and we’ll need your help to make it as comprehensive as possible. If you know of one, please submit a Bruin author. While all these books are written by UCLA alumni, inclusion into the list is not an endorsement.

Books by Bruins Library

Previous articles in the Books by Bruins series

From UCLA to Cuddle Sanctuary — How Jean Franzblau Turned Platonic Touch Into a Career

Our Unconventional Jobs series spotlights Bruins who have built meaningful work outside traditional job paths and explores how curiosity, lived experience and their time at UCLA helped shape where they landed.

In this feature, we spoke with Jean Franzblau ’92, founder of The Cuddle Sanctuary in Los Angeles. What began as a deeply personal need for connection eventually grew into a wellness practice centered on comfort, consent and community. Jean’s work challenges assumptions about what well-being can look like and reminds us that sometimes the simplest things, like human connection, can have the biggest impact.

How did you get started with cuddle therapy?

I’m so glad you asked. If you’d like, you can call me your Cuddle Consultant or maybe your Hug Homegirl. I’m the founder of The Cuddle Sanctuary in Los Angeles. You may be thinking, “What the what?” I know. It’s pretty unique. At times, I couldn’t believe it myself.

I laugh a lot these days, but it wasn’t always like that. For years, I was single, independent, and often depressed. Years ago, I was traveling solo for business and feeling incredibly lonely. I latched onto a guy, thinking what I needed was a hookup. That turned out to be completely wrong. Later, I realized I hadn’t been honest with him or myself about what I actually wanted.

What I came to understand is that people do have sexual needs. But we also have needs for connection, affection and simple hugs. For me, those needs weren’t being met. One day, while flipping through an in-flight magazine, I saw photos of people relaxing and platonically cuddling together. I thought, “That’s for me.” I kept Googling “Los Angeles” and “cuddle,” but I couldn’t find anything local.

So I founded The Cuddle Sanctuary. It started as something I needed just for myself, but it’s grown into a wellness practice serving many Angelinos. Now my basic need for affection is regularly met, and I have the connection, community, laughter and fun I always wanted in my life.

What does The Cuddle Sanctuary offer?

In a stressful, often isolating, high-tech world, The Cuddle Sanctuary helps people connect, find community, relax and support their mental health in three main ways.

Hosting platonic, social cuddle events in West Los Angeles
Offering individual cuddle therapy sessions
Training professionals

The social events begin with an explanation of guidelines and include structured ways for people to get to know one another. They’re skillfully led so participants can engage at their own pace. There is no required touch, and people are free to leave at any time if they realize it is not for them. Events typically include about 20 guests, and roughly half are attending for the first time.

Individual cuddle therapy sessions offer a platonic, consent-based experience that can help reduce stress, loneliness and anxiety, while boosting feel-good hormones and overall well-being.

Training through The Cuddle Sanctuary includes online courses, mentorship and two certification programs. One program is for leading group cuddle events; the other is for working one-on-one with clients.

What’s one of the most common misconceptions people have about cuddle therapy?

Think about massage therapy for a moment. Today, you can name a place nearby that offers a therapeutic massage. Years ago, though, massage was often associated with massage parlors and happy endings. Massage therapists had to work hard to legitimize their profession, and it took time.

Professional cuddlers face similar skepticism. People ask, “Is it really possible to have cuddle sessions that are nonsexual?” The answer is a resounding yes.

Our attendees and clients are open-minded people from all walks of life. They include professionals, parents, students, retirees, neurodiverse individuals, introverts and extroverts, people navigating big life transitions, and more. They come from many different backgrounds and nationalities.

For someone booking their first session, what does the experience look like?

First-time clients go through a getting-to-know-you process. It starts with an agreement form, followed by a Zoom call where I ask about their goals, answer questions and make sure we are both comfortable moving forward. I request ID, review payment options and then we schedule the session.

Sessions vary widely depending on the client’s needs. Someone recovering from trauma may have a very different experience from someone grieving a loss. Sessions might include time to relax and breathe, hugs or hand holding, quiet moments, conversation or gentle caresses. I create a calm, relaxed environment where clients can drop their social masks and rest. While cuddles are common, touch is never required.

What does an individual cuddle therapy session typically cost?

I offer a sliding scale starting at $150 for 60 minutes. Factors that can affect pricing include the length of the session and whether the practitioner is hosting or traveling to see the client. Professionals with more training or experience may charge more as their careers progress.

How are boundaries and consent established?

I use The Cuddle Sanctuary’s Stay Safe With Eight protocol to ensure I only work with clients who are a respectful fit. I am deeply committed to practitioner wellbeing, which is why I offer my online Safety Tips for Professional Cuddlers class for free.

I am also a trauma-informed professional, which means honoring each client’s pace, respecting boundaries and checking in regularly. With first-time clients, I often use the Ask and Wait Method. For example, “May I put my arm around you?” or “Would you like me to caress your forehead?” The client decides yes or no. It really is that simple and that profound.

How does someone become a professional cuddler?

I always recommend doing plenty of research before jumping in. I created a free webinar because I get this question so often.

I developed an online certification program that includes 15 hours of class time with me. I have worked with students across Europe, North America, Australia and Africa, which has been incredibly rewarding. Students practice locally with trusted friends or loved ones who act as practice partners. They complete homework, learn trauma-informed care and develop the skills needed to offer high-quality cuddle sessions.

In addition to my own program, I am also a big fan of the training offered by my colleagues at Cuddlist.

What does “success” look like for your clients?

I often ask clients during intake, “How would you like to feel after our session?” For some, success means reduced stress, anxiety or loneliness. Others notice improvements in mood, self-esteem or confidence around giving and receiving touch. Many experience a greater sense of connection, humanity and hope.

How has the cuddle therapy industry evolved?

Over the past 10-plus years, my colleagues and I have done a lot of press to introduce this work to the wider world. When Rolling Stone reached out, I thought that would make cuddle therapy instantly mainstream. It didn’t. Even features in The Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed, Dr. Phil, The Bachelorette and Keeping Up With the Kardashians were not enough.

Still, we quietly continue the work and change lives. In many places, cuddle therapy has evolved from a misunderstood punchline into a respected mental health modality. I am especially excited to see cuddle professionals and talk therapists working together to support clients. This approach is known as the triadic model.

How did studying communications at UCLA shape you?

I am grateful the UCLA Department of Communication exists. What I really wanted was to study acting, but at 17, communication felt more legitimate. I took acting classes in Hollywood while attending UCLA.

What I learned is that I am not built for traditional academics. I am bored by theory and thrive on experiential learning. My understanding of community came from living in a women’s boarding house on Hilgard Avenue and later through my sorority, AEPhi (hello, sisters!). My understanding of consent came years later through the BDSM community. That is a spicy journey beyond the scope of this article.

What advice would you give current UCLA students?

Be patient with yourself. Throughout school, I was rewarded for finishing the paper and getting the grade. Graduating cum laude was a big achievement. But a few years later, I found myself deeply depressed. I did not know how to slow down and ask, “Am I enjoying this?”

What I eventually learned through lots of therapy is that pleasure matters. With support, I have continued to heal old wounds and develop calm confidence. From that foundation, everything, including my business, has blossomed.

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Previous Content Featuring Unconventional Jobs

If you know of a Bruin story for this Unconventional Jobs series, send it to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

Alumni Mentor Program Networking Night - 2026

UCLA alumni mentors and students connected during a meaningful evening of conversation, career insights and relationship building. The event created space for Bruins across industries and career stages to network, share experiences and strengthen the alumni community.

UCLA Alumni Bruin Bash: UCLA Men's Basketball vs. Indiana Bruin Bash

UCLA alumni, fans, and friends gathered as the Bruins hosted the Indiana Hoosiers, kicking off game day at the James West Alumni Center, just steps from Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Guests enjoyed a delicious pregame meal from Bruin-owned Newport Ribs, featuring sliced beef brisket, BBQ chicken, Louisiana hot sausages, mac and cheese, Southwest chopped salad, and cornbread.

The event also marked a new era in Westwood for UCLA Football. Following the December 6, 2025 announcement of Coach Bob Chesney as the 20th head coach in program history, Bruin Bash attendees enjoyed an exclusive appearance by Coach Chesney ahead of tip-off, along with a lively conversation with legendary Bruin play-by-play voice Josh Lewin. UCLA Alumni and Bruin Report Online’s Tracy Pierson and David Woods also made a special appearance.

Families took part in Bruin Bingo, kids’ activities, and fun giveaways, all contributing to an unforgettable pregame celebration. It was a memorable opportunity to welcome Coach Chesney and celebrate Bruin spirit before UCLA Men’s Basketball took on Indiana.

Never Give Up: Finding a Cure Is Worth Fighting For

Each year on a Saturday in October, thousands come to the UCLA campus to be part of the L.A. Cancer Challenge, a Halloween-themed 5K walk/run benefiting pancreatic cancer research. The day brings patients, family members and supporters together to raise funds for a cause that touches thousands of lives.

The event, now in its 29th year, is hosted by the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, a national nonprofit dedicated to fighting the disease. Agi Hirshberg founded the organization in 1997 following the death of her husband, Ronald Hirshberg, at age 54 from the disease. Hirshberg was known as a “retail genius.” He began his career as a buyer at Filene's, a New England department store, and rose to found and run several successful businesses. He was also a fun-loving adventurer, sailing in international competitions and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Although the pancreatic cancer survival rate is increasing, it is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, an estimated 67,440 Americans were diagnosed with this aggressive and difficult-to-detect disease, and tragically, nearly 52,000 will die from it.

Nearly 30 years ago, there were few treatment options available to Ron Hirshberg. After his death, as a gesture of gratitude for his care, his wife, Agi Hirshberg, wanted to support UCLA Health’s pancreatic cancer program. To her surprise, no such program existed at UCLA or anywhere else. Determined to find a cure, Hirshberg vowed to continue her husband’s fight against this disease.

Agi Hirshberg’s daughter, Lisa Manheim ’91 is the executive director of the Hirshberg Foundation. Manheim studied history and business at UCLA. When she graduated, she began working at the Westwood Macy's. She says, “I was one of the youngest store managers in the company, and I loved it. I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up, I just knew that I wanted to be in business.”

"if somebody's going to cure pancreatic cancer, we want it to be UCLA"

In 1999, Manheim was pregnant with her first child. Her mother asked if she would help with the foundation during her maternity leave. What began as a temporary arrangement turned into an indefinite stay. "We started in my mom's living room," Manheim recalls. "Almost 30 years later, we’ve built our foundation at UCLA. I always say there’s no better person to work for than your child's grandmother, and the opportunity to stay connected to UCLA is a wonderful bonus."

Foundation Executive Director Lisa Manheim '91, Trustee Jon Hirshberg and Co-founder Ari Hirshberg

Manheim’s office is painted a vibrant UCLA blue. Her connection to the University is strong: all three of her sons were born at the UCLA Medical Center, and she is a season ticket holder for four different UCLA teams. “We've always said if somebody's going to cure pancreatic cancer, we want it to be UCLA," she says. "What a gift that would be!”

One of the first things Manheim and Hirshberg did was to establish the Hirshberg Foundation five pillars mission statement, a decision that has guided their work from the outset. The first pillar focuses on creating a place where patients can receive all their treatment options in one place. In 2015, the first Center opened, and in 2024 it moved into a state-of-the-art facility within the UCLA Medical Plaza to achieve this goal.

The second pillar is dedicated to funding improved patient care, enhanced treatments and increased survival rates. With the funds they raise, the foundation fuels innovation, awarding "seed grants" to institutions across the country for initial research support and "catalyst grants" for longer-term initiatives. Notably, the seed grant program has generated over $130 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The third pillar is to be a resource for patients and their families. Their director of patient programs, Amy Reiss, is available to guide patients throughout their journey, from sharing resources to connecting the newly diagnosed with survivors. In addition, the Foundation funds a dedicated patient navigator at UCLA to greet patients and assist them with navigating their treatment. Manheim says, "My mom wanted to make sure that patients have somebody holding their hand, both physically and practically.”

For two decades, the Foundation has organized a patient symposium at UCLA every spring. The event evolved from presentations by doctors on their research into a collaborative forum where patients, families, doctors, caregivers and survivors share information and address questions together. The event is free of charge, entirely funded through sponsorships.

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis carries a mental toll for everyone involved. To build connection and hope, Agi Hirshberg welcomed survivors, doctors and caregivers to her home to share a meal. The event became a beloved yearly tradition known as "Casual Sunday at Agi's."

LOS ANGELES, CA, — OCT. 27, 2024 - The LA Cancer Challenge, held on the campus of UCLA, is a 5K run that benefits the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research and is in its 29th year. The 2025 event raised more than $734,000. ( Photo by Rick Loomis )

The fourth mission pillar is to bring people together through physical fitness to build awareness and support. Inspired by Ron Hirshberg’s love of adventure, Manheim explains, “We started the L.A. Cancer Challenge 5K because we knew Ronnie would not have wanted to go to a sit-down banquet.” The 2025 event raised more than $734,000 for cancer research.

Each year, the 5K highlights the work of an honorary medical chair — a UCLA doctor or researcher who addresses participants before the race, offering a direct connection to the work being funded by their donations. Manheim says, “I'd love to have more UCLA alumni participate. It's a great event on a spectacular campus; I get goosebumps every time.”

The fifth pillar is to find a cure in memory of Ron Hirshberg and all pancreatic cancer patients. “The work we’ve funded has led to improved patient care, better outcomes and promising treatments on the horizon — work that would not have happened without my mom's determination,” Manheim affirms. “Our motto is ‘never give up’ because finding a cure is worth fighting for.”

There is hope for future developments. In 2025, UCLA researchers developed a nanoparticle that carries a combination treatment with an mRNA vaccine and a small immune-boosting molecule to the liver, reprogramming it to attack pancreatic cancer. UCLA scientists are running trials on off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapies that don’t need to be custom-tailored for each patient. These treatments could ultimately be mass-produced, expanding access and reducing costs.

"Our motto is ‘never give up’ because finding a cure is worth fighting for."

Thanks to the work of the Hirshberg Center, UCLA Health has become a leader in pancreatic cancer care and research. Five-year survival rates have been rising slowly, from 7% a decade ago to approximately 13% today. UCLA’s surgical oncologists perform more pancreatic surgeries than any other hospital in Southern California.

“With the progress we’ve made, we now have a community of people who are multi-year survivors. They're the ones who are able to tell the newly diagnosed, or the people who are about to go into surgery, ‘We've been there. What questions do you have? You're going to be okay.’” Manheim says, “There's nothing like it.”

To learn more about how you can help fight pancreatic cancer, visit pancreatic.org.

Bruins in Business & Tech Networking Night January 2026

The UCLA Alumni Association, in collaboration with partners across campus (listed below), hosted the 3rd Annual Business & Tech Networking Night at Tiato in Santa Monica the evening of Monday, January 12, 2026.

The event included the following panel of alumni leaders in business and technology focusing on artificial intelligence: Cathy Means '80, Director, Innovation & Automation, AI Strategy & Transformation at Korn Ferry , Brandon Watkins '10, Partner, Global Head of Internet Investment Banking, Technology, Media, Telecommunication (TMT) Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs, and moderator, Devon Dickau ’07, MBA ’15, Organizational Development Lead, Google DeepMind and Member of the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors.

The welcome address was delivered by Yolanda Gorman, Interim, Associate Vice Chancellor, Alumni Affairs and Advancement Services, and CFO and COO of the UCLA Foundation and the UCLA Investment Company.

The UCLA William F. Sharpe Fellows program was featured through a video and remarks led by the faculty director and program director, Andrew Atkeson, Stanley M. Zimmerman Professor of Economics and Finance, and Mia Seleshi, Director, Alumni Career Engagement, UCLA Alumni Affairs, respectively.

Event in collaboration with: