August 29, 2025 Redefining What It Means to Be A Bruin By Aiden Western Photo by Interview Sources
Zuleika Bravo
Zuleika Bravo came to UCLA with two things most other students don't have: a decade of work experience and a four-year-old daughter.
When Zuleika transferred to UCLA from Antelope Valley College in 2018, she immediately felt lost. As a first-generation, nontraditional, parenting student, Zuleika was worried about finding other Bruins who shared her story.
Like many nontraditional students, Zuleika was faced with institutional and social barriers others never experience. In particular, she described the challenges of balancing parenthood with her studies, often worrying about housing, financial stability and being able to bring her child to campus.
"When you accept a student, you accept the whole student. And that includes my daughter." - Zuleika Bravo
However, Zuleika was determined to build community in the face of challenges. She was hired as an intern for the Students with Dependents program and eventually spent two years supporting and connecting with students who were guardians, caregivers and/or parents like herself.
Zuleika's personal experience in college compelled her to advocate for improved access to higher education, particularly for transfer and parenting students. In her final year of her undergraduate career, Zuleika was elected as UCLA's Transfer Student Representative and was appointed as the Basic Needs Representative for the UC Student Association. As a student, she led the charge in researching and advocating for priority enrollment for students with dependents, a proposal ultimately approved by the Academic Senate in 2019.
Zuleika knew that her advocacy could not stop after graduation, so she enrolled in the Master's of Higher Education and Organizational Change program at UCLA to learn more about the systems she hoped to impact. Through her roles as a Program Coordinator for the Bruin Resource Center and the Graduate Student Representative for the UCLA Student Fees Advisory Committee, Zuleika continued to fight for students. She also spent her time as a researcher, writing a 40-page thesis on how mothers in higher education paved the way for many of the resources students benefit from today.
A month before completing her master's degree, Zuleika was offered a full-time job as the Program Manager for UCLA's CCAMPIS grant program. Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) provides funding and childcare support to low-income parenting students so that they can focus on their academics. Zuleika quickly accepted the position, extending her time at UCLA and further cementing her commitment to student affairs.
A year later, Zuleika became the Assistant Director of the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC), a program connecting UCLA's graduate and professional students to resources across campus. Zuleika now serves as the Director of the GSRC where she continues to champion access in higher education every day.
"To be a Bruin means community. A lot of us come here feeling isolated, but Bruins always find and create community." - Zuleika Bravo
Zuleika's Bruin story, from transfer student to a program director, is best highlighted by the students she impacted. Below are six profiles of current graduate students at UCLA, all whose lives have been changed by Zuleika's compassion and advocacy.
Sonya Brooks
A few weeks before Sonya Brooks would be forced to drop out of UCLA, she sent an email. As an undergraduate student and parent to three children, Brooks struggled financially and needed support.
"All I had in my cupboard was peanut butter, jelly, and bread. I still had to get to campus and go to school. I still had to provide for my children. I still had to pay this enormous rent. I didn't know what else to do." - Sonya Brooks
Luckily, it was Zuleika who answered. Zuleika quickly worked to secure Sonya a grant designated for parenting students so that she could continue her education. Without Zuleika's support, Sonya believes that she would have never been able to graduate from UCLA with her bachelor's degree.
Sonya recently came back to UCLA to complete her master of community health sciences after receiving her master in urban education policy from Brown University. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. at the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies. She researches how educational opportunity is intertwined with public health. Sonya also serves as the 2025-26 Student Regent to the UC Board of Regents where she advocates for housing, mental health and basic needs resources for graduate and professional students systemwide.
"To be a Bruin is to realize you are not in this alone." - Sonya Brooks
Gustavo Cardenas
Gustavo Cardenas went back to school after years of working in the automotive industry. He transferred to UCLA in 2024 to pursue his master in social welfare alongside his wife in the same program. As a first-generation, formerly incarcerated student, Gustavo says that navigating higher education has been challenging, especially for a nontraditional student like him.
After he attended his Graduate Student Orientation, Gustavo was hired by Zuleika as a program coordinator for the GSRC. Through this role, Gustavo now supports other graduate students by planning the same orientation that was so impactful to him. He believes that Zuleika's support has been invaluable to his growth and success at UCLA. Upon graduation, Gustavo hopes to make systemic policy changes and provide direct social services for communities across Los Angeles.
"To be a Bruin is to grow." - Gustavo Cardenas
Miriam Torres Sanchez
When undergraduate student Miriam Torres Sanchez found out she was expecting a child, Zuleika was the first person she told. Throughout her time in college, Miriam came back to Zuleika for support and guidance, not only on how to navigate academics as a parenting student, but also how to navigate life.
"Zuleika saw me as a human being. And I think that's really needed in higher education." - Miriam Torres Sanchez
Miriam eventually graduated from UCLA in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in political science and a wide array of advocacy and research experience under her belt. Miriam saw herself in Zuleika and was inspired by her to pursue graduate school. Miriam is now pursuing her masters in urban and regional planning at UCLA, with which she hopes to champion urban policy that advances inclusive, accessible spaces.
"To be a Bruin means being a changemaker in my community." - Miriam Torres Sanchez
I.O.
I.O. grew up in the South Bronx during a time when drug abuse was prevalent within his community. This compelled him to study the psychology behind addiction, leading him down a path of research and advanced study. I.O. is now a fourth-year neuroscience Ph.D. candidate at UCLA, where he explores how certain mechanisms can alleviate withdrawal symptoms and make it easier for people to discontinue drug use.
After a long day in the lab experimenting with mice, I.O. heads to the GSRC where he has further discovered community at UCLA. After Zuleika hired him as a GSRC program coordinator, I.O. now helps other graduate students navigate the complexities of being a graduate student, from helping students better understand housing and taxes to planning fun events that build community.
"To be a Bruin means to be outspoken, out there fighting for people." - I.O.
Vivian Hernandez
Vivian Hernandez always knew she wanted to be a doctor, but never did she think she would accomplish it through a Ph.D. in history. Now as a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate at UCLA, Vivian constantly works to defy norms and expectations set for her.
"From the get-go, the GSRC supported me in tackling some of the biggest challenges I faced as a grad student: representation, navigating the hidden curriculum and mentorship." - Vivian Hernandez
Vivian says that Zuleika opened a lot of doors for her, both personally and professionally. As Vivian continues her career in academia, Zuleika will continue to be one of the mentors she looks up to most.
"To be a Bruin is to engage in critical analysis for the betterment of our communities." - Vivian Hernandez
Schinal Harrington
As a native of Santa Monica, Schinal Harrington always grew up around UCLA. Her mother, her daughter and she herself were all born at UCLA's hospital. As a child, Schinal would hop on the Big Blue Bus her uncle drove to and from campus everyday. She idealized UCLA but never thought it would be a reality for her.
Today, Schinal is proudly working toward her third degree at UCLA: a masters in social welfare. She is also serving her third term as the Chair of Bruin Parenting Scholars. Schinal says Zuleika has been instrumental in her journey not only as a student, but also as a mentor. Her support has been about truly seeing Schinal for who she is, a first-generation, system-impacted parenting student, and giving her the tools to advocate for others. Through Zuleika's mentorship, Schinal has been able to balance her academic path with the challenges of parenthood, while also cultivating her leadership voice on campus and beyond.
"To be a Bruin is to be number one. I have never felt like I was number one at anything. But I am a Bruin and I am number one." - Schinal Harrington
Conclusion
UCLA students' paths aren't always linear, but every Bruin has something in common: the drive to make their community a better place. No matter the obstacles, Bruins work together to lift each other up and tackle uncertainty head-on.
Zuleika, Sonya, Gustavo, Miriam, I.O., Vivian, Schinal, and many others wholeheartedly embody what it means to be a Bruin. Their journeys show that UCLA is at its strongest when every student, no matter their background, is given the opportunity and support they need to shine.