Maria Carpiac-Claver ’97, M.S.W. ’01

While a lot of my friends from high school were intimidated by the sheer size of UCLA, its diversity, varied opportunities and unique culture were qualities that drew me most. As enthused as I was to begin my career as a Bruin, I knew it would take a little bit of effort and time to feel like part of the Bruin family.

Receiving my first college-level scholarship from the Alumni Association and becoming an Alumni Scholar before courses began did wonders for welcoming me into the UCLA family. I started in the fall of 1993 feeling like I belonged and that I had a group of people that cared about how I was adapting to college. The scholarship meant so much more to me than the money attached to it.

Now that I have spent nearly 13 years at UCLA, earning a master’s and doctorate along the way, I think it’s fitting that my final receipt of support and commendation was from the UCLA Alumni Association. The Alumni Scholarship I received as part of the 2006 Outstanding Graduate Student Award demonstrated to me that there were many people at UCLA who have supported me and cheered me on while I have worked hard to meet my goal of becoming a triple Bruin.

My time at UCLA allowed me to push myself to the limit. I have achieved goals I would have never thought possible. Sometimes I look back on major accomplishments such as passing comprehensive exams or presenting my research at national conferences, or finally getting that paper published, or setting a final dissertation defense date and I wonder to myself, “How did I manage to do that?”

I am convinced that it has been UCLA’s special combination of brilliant and dedicated professors, a strong connection to the Los Angeles community, organizations willing to support students like me and the delicious cappuccino royales at LuValle Commons that have supported me through this incredible journey.