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When one thinks of Los Angeles from an international perspective, images of majestic sunsets and sunrises, Hollywood movies and famous actors, year-long warm weather, and a vibrant mix of diverse cultures come to mind. While these visual icons define Los Angeles, many international students also recognize it as home of the UCLA brand—a beacon of opportunity. UCLA stands on the foundational pillars—that with hard work, and the drive to succeed, possibilities are endless.

In 2007, Jenny Byrd started a job as an Event Manager for UCLA Residential Life. An artist at heart, she was unsure that an administrative career in higher education could ever be a viable path for her. However, during her nearly two decades working at UCLA, Jenny found new creative outlets in research and assessment, student programming and organizational development. What began as just a day job supporting her moonlight career as a theater producer slowly became her calling.

This quarter, we’re thrilled to introduce Vanessa Aviva González-Siegel (she/ella/ela) as the newly appointed director of the UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center. Situated in the heart of the Student Activities Center and across from the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, the LGBTQ Center has long been a hub for inclusion, acceptance, and community on campus. With Vanessa’s proven leadership, this dynamic space is projected to grow its impact even further across the UCLA community.

On the evening of November 5, 2024, UCLA students packed Pauley Pavilion for hours, waiting to hear the results of an important contest. This time, they weren't there for yet another Bruins basketball game. Instead, the students were abuzz watching news coverage of the 2024 general election.

On a chilly October evening, monsters and urban legends take over UCLA’s residential community. Covel Commons’ Grand Horizon Ballroom, a popular venue for both professional and student events, is transformed for the Haunted Hill extravaganza. A Halloween tradition coordinated by UCLA’s residential student government, Haunted Hill is both a spooky experience and a complex development opportunity for student leaders, such as event production skills, budget management, vendor coordination and more. At the crux of the production is UCLA Residential Life’s Assistant Director of Leadership and Involvement, Mike McCormack.

When you think of “club sports,” what do you imagine? Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about club sports is that it is not as legitimate as the popular varsity-level sports that fall under the NCAA: football, basketball, volleyball, to name a few. This couldn’t be further from the truth. UCLA Club Sports athletes often compete nationally and adhere to strict practice and game schedules, much like their Division 1 peers. In fact, Club Sports is a signature program in UCLA Student Affairs that also doubles as a transformative student leadership experience.

This quarter’s Spotlight series features Dr. Emily Dahlem and UCLA Veteran Services. Next to the Transfer Student Center in Kerckhoff Hall, The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is centrally located, one floor below the coffee house. The calming aroma of a fresh cup of coffee fills the classic gothic halls and provides a balance to the hustle and activity that defines a typical day in Kerckhoff; the VRC is no exception.

When students start their journeys at UCLA, the campus welcomes them with an incredibly diverse community, beautiful sunny weather, hilly hikes to class, and an abundance of resources to make their stay here worthwhile. With an ever-growing list of departments and programs dedicated to enriching the student experience, navigating those resources can become tricky. It’s easy for students to miss a turn and arrive at the wrong destination. The Be Well Bruin website serves as the community’s GPS.

This quarter’s Educator Spotlight Series shines the light on Carina Salazar, Executive Director for Career and Immersive Experiences at the Career Center. The Career Center is located in the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Strathmore building on the corner of Westwood Plaza. On the outside, the building features masonry reminiscent of classic buildings in academia. Inside, the space offers the bright, crisp details of a professional workspace. The Career Center is a hub for all aspects of career development for UCLA students.

Sustainability at UCLA touches all aspects of the Student Affairs mission, from academic programs in sustainability, to campus life with over 40 different student organizations focused on sustainability, and connections to alumni. UCLA also has comprehensive sustainability goals across all aspects of campus operations - from energy and water to food and procurement. These goals are laid out in the Sustainability Plan and include an ambitious commitment to decarbonization. Recently, over 2,000 students signed a CALPIRG petition focused on Clean Energy, and students have made it clear that how we address the significant crises we are facing in climate and biodiversity, and environmental justice and equity, are important to them and their future.