Category Archives: Interviews

Meet the Prez - Paco Retana

On July 1, 2024, Paco Retana ʼ87, M.S.W. ʼ90, began his two-year term as the president of the UCLA Alumni Association. The son of immigrants, his father from Costa Rica and his mother from Mexico, he grew up in Pico Rivera, California, with a profound respect for education. He followed his dream of working with marginalized young people to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in social welfare from the School of Social Welfare, now the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. He is currently chief program officer for Wellnest Emotional Health and Wellness, empowering children and young adults on the road to success. Retana recounts his journey from struggling academically as a student to now representing more than half a million UCLA alumni.

I remember when my parents dropped me off at UCLA, my mom was emotional and my dad was fighting back tears. As the first in my family to attend college, there was a fear of the unknown. I was vulnerable, just trying to figure it out. I didn’t know then that some of the people I met that day on the third floor of Dykstra would become my tribe. At that time, there weren’t many people on campus that looked like me. I loved the cafeteria and breaking bread with everyone. I also connected with the folks who were serving us food because they looked like my tías y tíos and I could speak Spanish with them. 

As a student, I couldn’t understand why some people were so upset with Latinos. My dad was an upholsterer and I would deliver furniture with him. He would tell his clients, “My son is going to UCLA. He's going places.” They would ask about affirmative action, and I would tell them that it was the greatest thing in the world. And they would say, “Those programs take away spots from my kid.” I didn't know what to say. Did I not deserve to go? Luckily, I took a theater class with Romulus Zamora, who became a mentor of mine. He lifted me up, as a human being and as Latinx. He taught the history of Chicano theater, Luis Valdez and Teatro Campesino plays. Overall, I felt different and I was sometimes treated differently. Those were painful moments. But from there came beautiful moments of resilience. There was a stigma associated with affirmative action, but the outcome was success. 

I enrolled in graduate school with a specific goal in mind: to develop the skills needed to support vulnerable young people. I was raised in a loving family. Until my dad passed on, my parents would still hold hands. I believe in optimism and hope, and that there will be change for the families I provide services to. Earning my master’s in social welfare showed me I can make an impact by embracing my values and advocating for marginalized communities. UCLA professors like Dr. Terry Roberts, my thesis advisor Dr. Ruth Zambrana, Dr. Rosina Becerra and Professor Rebecca Refuerzo opened my world. I've learned so much from the people and communities I've worked with.

Mentoring is an opportunity to pay it forward and develop meaningful relationships. When I was a student, I struggled academically. A combination of Academic Advancement Program resources, friends and mentors got me through that difficult time. The students I’m mentoring are incredibly smart and gifted. I get as much from them as I hope they get from my guidance. I want them to succeed and be proud of what they do. It's an opportunity to provide support to help them navigate these challenging times. It's the best feeling in the world when you have mentored somebody and they come back to thank you. Does it happen all the time? No, but when it does you're gifted with the knowledge that you fostered growth, and that you made an impact so they continue to forge ahead. 

Through my work, I’m helping people reach their full potential. There's a Mayan quote that I love, “In Lak'ech,” which means in Spanish, “Tú eres mi otro yo,” or “You are my other me.” If you're having a great year, I'm celebrating with you. If you've had a tough couple of months, we’re going through it together. This helps break down the stereotypes and prejudices that exist when I'm working with youth. Ever since I graduated from my M.S.W. program, I've done group workshops with 16-17 year olds who are struggling, whether they're in the foster care system or previously incarcerated. We take 100 young men who have never been away from home to camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains. I use the tools and skills I learned at UCLA and from my elders to lift their voices. This is how we're breaking the cycle to build better outcomes for future generations. 

There's a myriad of ways alumni can get involved. At UCLA, there are so many opportunities to connect across the lifespan. I recommend choosing what you enjoy doing, and going from there. The online community UCLA ONE is a great place for networking, career advice and access to exclusive resources. The Alumni Mentor Program pairs alumni with current UCLA students. I love Bruin Business 100, which recognizes exceptional alumni entrepreneurs. Dr. Denise Pacheco is doing amazing work in our Diversity Programs, fostering meaningful connections across generations to support a strong and inclusive community. There are programs that invite alumni, faculty and staff to come together and delve into various social issues. There are many creative, welcoming and socially-engaging spaces where alumni can build relationships and community empowerment. There's an abundance of opportunities to get involved in, and it all can be incredibly rewarding. 

As president of the Alumni Association, I will lead with gratitude to build a culture of trust, respect and engagement for Bruins around the world. It is important we lift up our community following the events of spring quarter – I will continue conversations with our students, faculty, staff and alumni. I will create space for dialogue, for voices to be really heard – because we are Bruins for life. While our journey may not always be joyful – it is a journey that always inspires us to gather at the university we love. I will always create that space and keep the door open.  When I end my term, I hope alumni and students feel that the Alumni Association is here to support them. That we live up to a promise of equity, diversity and inclusion and a sense of belonging. My ancestors, my elders, my family, my network, my fur babies, they make sure that I’m rooted in the community. They believe in me, and they trust me. Overall, I feel a sense of belonging to give back and pay it forward. And with that, we'll get through anything. 

Visit the Alumni Association Board of Directors page to learn more.

Recent Articles

Inside The Den

U

nder the bright lights and hanging championship banners of Pauley Pavilion, you can hear the roar and cheers of students booming throughout the building. Coordinated jeers are chanted during visiting-player introductions and tiny pieces of blue and gold paper fly through the air just as the first Bruin basket of the game is made. This is The Den, also known as the most spirited student section on Earth. These die hard UCLA Athletics fans will give 100% of their energy at all UCLA sporting events to cheer on our student athletes. Being part of The Den is one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of being a student. They help create an electric atmosphere inside our stadiums that energizes our players, intimidates opponents and may be partially responsible for the UCLA Men’s Basketball team’s undefeated home record.

To belong to The Den, current students must first purchase a Den Pass, offered by UCLA Athletics. For the 2022-2023 school year, passes can be purchased for $185, which includes access to all home football and men's basketball games (all other UCLA sports offer free admission for students). Additionally, first-year students are able to purchase a 4's Up Den Pass which gives them access to all football and men's basketball games for all four years at a discounted rate. The pass also includes a Den T-shirt, exclusive ticketing priority to Bowl Games, post-season men’s basketball and the UCLA-USC football game, and of course, the best seats in the house — the UCLA student section. Den Pass holders also have a private entrance at Pauley Pavilion, which sometimes means lining up early to beat the crowds for guaranteed entry at marquee games.

Then the fun begins! The student experience at UCLA sporting events is incredible. These games bring along a set of traditions where students come together to show off their Bruin pride. Different sports offer different Den traditions but are all rooted in the same spirit of fun and support for our Bruin teams.

At home gymnastics meets, students are given a paper that details the routines and information about the meet. UCLA ends with the floor exercise, which gives the gymnasts the chance to interact with the student section during their routines. The paper given out includes instructions on how to copy or interact with the dancers during their routines. No worries if you have two left feet though. These dance moves consist of things such as dabbing or even doing the wave. After the last tumbling pass, the paper is torn up and tossed in the air.

Another gymnastics tradition that has held up over the years is when a gymnast performs a superb routine on any apparatus, fans scream out, “10! 10! 10!” while motioning a ten with their hands towards the judges.

With UCLA’s history as a basketball powerhouse, the games in Pauley Pavilion give students the opportunity to participate in many different traditions before, during and after the game. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular Den traditions.

Roll Call

During pregame warmups, Den members chant the names of players repeatedly until they get the player’s acknowledgement.

Opponent Intros

As each starter on the opposing team is introduced, The Den yells out a jeer, “So What?” “Who Cares?” “Big Deal!” “Who’s He?” “Go Home!”

The Dirt and Confetti Toss

The Dirt is a flyer that is placed on every seat before games that has basic information about both teams playing. It also includes embarrassing trash about the other team’s players or school. When the first basket of the game is made by a member of the UCLA team, students rip up the paper into tiny little pieces and throw it in the air like confetti.  

Free Throw Ritual

When a UCLA player is about to shoot a free throw, members hold up a finger and stay quiet. Upon making it, they yell, “Whoosh” followed by two claps. Repeat after making the second free throw and follow it with a “Yes!” and a double fist-pump. If the free throw is the result of a continuation basket, they chant, “Three point play” along with the announcer followed by a “Whoop.” If they complete the and-1 free throw, they yell “Whoosh” followed by three claps and a “Yes!”

Opposing Team Free Throws

On a similar note, during the second half of the game, students are provided with long balloons to wave around in the air when the opposing team is shooting free throws. The forms of distraction vary from funny signs to unique costumes to crazy dances.

Opponent Airballs

When an opponent airballs a shot, they immediately chant, “Airball! Airball! Airball!” which continues every time the same player touches the ball until they score their next point.

Opponent Fouls Out

When an opponent commits their fifth foul, they chant out the player’s steps to the bench with, “Left, Right, Left, Right, Staaaaanding, Sit down!” and concludes with “So long, chief!”

Alma Mater and Rover

After every game, win or lose, the UCLA Marching Band plays our Alma Mater, “Hail to the Hills of Westwood.” Most fans will hold up two fingers in a V for victory, or keep them together after a loss. Either way, The Den puts their arms around each other’s shoulders and sways while singing. If the Bruins win, this is then followed by the song “Rover,” which is a parody of the song, “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover.” This is the pinnacle moment when everyone dances and sings along exuberantly.    

These traditions are a part of what makes our time and experience at UCLA so memorable. The Den has been able to keep this going for years, decades, passing on the rituals from one generation to the next, and enjoyed by returning alumni long after they’ve graduated. The next time you come to a UCLA Athletics event, cheer along with these Den traditions and feel your Bruin spirit come alive.

Recent Articles

Inside The Den

U

nder the bright lights and hanging championship banners of Pauley Pavilion, you can hear the roar and cheers of students booming throughout the building. Coordinated jeers are chanted during visiting-player introductions and tiny pieces of blue and gold paper fly through the air just as the first Bruin basket of the game is made. This is The Den, also known as the most spirited student section on Earth. These die hard UCLA Athletics fans will give 100% of their energy at all UCLA sporting events to cheer on our student athletes. Being part of The Den is one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of being a student. They help create an electric atmosphere inside our stadiums that energizes our players, intimidates opponents and may be partially responsible for the UCLA Men’s Basketball team’s undefeated home record.

To belong to The Den, current students must first purchase a Den Pass, offered by UCLA Athletics. For the 2022-2023 school year, passes can be purchased for $185, which includes access to all home football and men's basketball games (all other UCLA sports offer free admission for students). Additionally, first-year students are able to purchase a 4's Up Den Pass which gives them access to all football and men's basketball games for all four years at a discounted rate. The pass also includes a Den T-shirt, exclusive ticketing priority to Bowl Games, post-season men’s basketball and the UCLA-USC football game, and of course, the best seats in the house — the UCLA student section. Den Pass holders also have a private entrance at Pauley Pavilion, which sometimes means lining up early to beat the crowds for guaranteed entry at marquee games.

Then the fun begins! The student experience at UCLA sporting events is incredible. These games bring along a set of traditions where students come together to show off their Bruin pride. Different sports offer different Den traditions but are all rooted in the same spirit of fun and support for our Bruin teams.

At home gymnastics meets, students are given a paper that details the routines and information about the meet. UCLA ends with the floor exercise, which gives the gymnasts the chance to interact with the student section during their routines. The paper given out includes instructions on how to copy or interact with the dancers during their routines. No worries if you have two left feet though. These dance moves consist of things such as dabbing or even doing the wave. After the last tumbling pass, the paper is torn up and tossed in the air.

Another gymnastics tradition that has held up over the years is when a gymnast performs a superb routine on any apparatus, fans scream out, “10! 10! 10!” while motioning a ten with their hands towards the judges.

With UCLA’s history as a basketball powerhouse, the games in Pauley Pavilion give students the opportunity to participate in many different traditions before, during and after the game. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular Den traditions.

Roll Call

During pregame warmups, Den members chant the names of players repeatedly until they get the player’s acknowledgement.

Opponent Intros

As each starter on the opposing team is introduced, The Den yells out a jeer, “So What?” “Who Cares?” “Big Deal!” “Who’s He?” “Go Home!”

The Dirt and Confetti Toss

The Dirt is a flyer that is placed on every seat before games that has basic information about both teams playing. It also includes embarrassing trash about the other team’s players or school. When the first basket of the game is made by a member of the UCLA team, students rip up the paper into tiny little pieces and throw it in the air like confetti.  

Free Throw Ritual

When a UCLA player is about to shoot a free throw, members hold up a finger and stay quiet. Upon making it, they yell, “Whoosh” followed by two claps. Repeat after making the second free throw and follow it with a “Yes!” and a double fist-pump. If the free throw is the result of a continuation basket, they chant, “Three point play” along with the announcer followed by a “Whoop.” If they complete the and-1 free throw, they yell “Whoosh” followed by three claps and a “Yes!”

Opposing Team Free Throws

On a similar note, during the second half of the game, students are provided with long balloons to wave around in the air when the opposing team is shooting free throws. The forms of distraction vary from funny signs to unique costumes to crazy dances.

Opponent Airballs

When an opponent airballs a shot, they immediately chant, “Airball! Airball! Airball!” which continues every time the same player touches the ball until they score their next point.

Opponent Fouls Out

When an opponent commits their fifth foul, they chant out the player’s steps to the bench with, “Left, Right, Left, Right, Staaaaanding, Sit down!” and concludes with “So long, chief!”

Alma Mater and Rover

After every game, win or lose, the UCLA Marching Band plays our Alma Mater, “Hail to the Hills of Westwood.” Most fans will hold up two fingers in a V for victory, or keep them together after a loss. Either way, The Den puts their arms around each other’s shoulders and sways while singing. If the Bruins win, this is then followed by the song “Rover,” which is a parody of the song, “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover.” This is the pinnacle moment when everyone dances and sings along exuberantly.    

These traditions are a part of what makes our time and experience at UCLA so memorable. The Den has been able to keep this going for years, decades, passing on the rituals from one generation to the next, and enjoyed by returning alumni long after they’ve graduated. The next time you come to a UCLA Athletics event, cheer along with these Den traditions and feel your Bruin spirit come alive.

Recent Articles

Bruin Promise Interviews - DeShaun Foster

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eShaun Foster '13 is one of the most prolific running backs in UCLA Football history. He now serves as associate head coach, running backs for the Bruins. Hear his story and how the Bruin Promise looks to help other UCLA alumni for years to come.

The Bruin Promise is an affirmation that UCLA will provide alumni an accessible, campus-driven gateway to lifelong learning in an ever-changing and evolving world.

Recent Articles

Alumnae Conference - Dare to Soar

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ruins are invited to turn dreams into action at the UCLA Alumnae Conference: Dare to Soar, a place to bring more purpose into your work, develop your goals and build success. The one-day event taking place on Sunday, March 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PDT, will create an empowered network of women supporting each other and giving back to their communities. This year, we are excited to return to campus to experience the unrivaled discovery, networking, professional development and personal growth that can only happen at UCLA. The hybrid format will bring alumnae together from around the world via an interactive webinar.

Alumnae will be warmly welcomed back to the James West Alumni Center by Julie Sina, Associate Vice Chancellor, Alumni Affairs and COO of The UCLA Foundation.

Inspiring strategist, impact maker and entrepreneur Christine Simmons ’98 will be our keynote speaker. Christine will share her vision for embracing an individual’s unique energy to meet their potential. A former UCLA Alumni Association president and regent, she is a sought-after speaker who has worked with Fortune 500 corporations and multi-million dollar companies. She leads the strategic consulting firm Alis Volat Propriis, she who flies with her own wings, and has started a clothing and merchandise line, Unapologetically (TM) Christine.

The day’s engaging panels — Women in Politics, Women in Business and Women in Health & Wellness — will feature conversations among women actively sharing their journeys with all the twists and turns. Learn from business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders as they discuss the issues that matter most to women, including leadership, work/life balance and career growth.

Attendees can take part in a tasting of exceptional wines made by Black women from South Africa and hosted by Roots & Vines Wine founder and CEO Jennifer White ’97, M.P.P. ’06. Throughout the day, explore or participate in the Entrepreneur Marketplace, featuring Bruin-owned businesses ready to serve your needs. Alumnae are also invited to contribute to our Alumni Affairs professional clothing drive. The Career Closet is open to all UCLA community members, including students and alumni. Even if you aren’t able to attend, we welcome all forms of professional clothing and are happy to receive a shipment.

Shipments can be sent to:

c/o Sandy Nguyen, UCLA Alumni
James West Alumni Center
325 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095

The day’s closing speaker, UCLA Women’s Head Basketball Coach Cori Close, M.Ed. ʼ95, will leave us uplifted and inspired. Coach Close is in her 12th season at the head of the No. 16-ranked Bruin team. She gives players a transformational experience through basketball that equips them for the rest of their lives.

We look forward to welcoming you in person or online for a fulfilling and motivational day of community at the UCLA Alumnae Conference: Dare to Soar. Come back to UCLA’s beautiful campus and join with other alumnae to empower possibilities as you develop your purpose while creating positive change.

Cost: $45 In Person, $10 Virtual

UCLA Alumni Affairs celebrates women, non-binary and transgender people of all ages and backgrounds and welcomes everyone and anyone interested in sharing and learning from one another.

Recent Articles

Introducing the Bruin Promise

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iat lux — let there be light — the motto of the University of California symbolizing its role in lighting the way in the pursuit of knowledge, creativity and truth. To this end, UCLA is shining a light on its enduring presence in the lives of alumni, enlightening Bruins through every stage of life. A new portal has been created that provides you with unlimited access to UCLA’s vast resources and offerings. Introducing the Bruin Promise.

The Bruin Promise is…

A Philosophy

The idea was conceived by UCLA Chancellor Gene Block years ago, inspired by a colleague who told him about a newly formed automobile company that offered a lifetime warranty. He thought, “Why don’t we offer alumni a lifetime warranty? Even after you graduate, we’ll be with you forever.”

The old adage “Once a Bruin, Always a Bruin” is taken a step further, promising that educational opportunities available to students will also be made available to alumni.

For Ann Wang ʼ13, president of the UCLA Alumni Association, it means that “learning both in the classroom and out of the classroom doesn't stop when you graduate, but rather continues in every stage of your life. That's the Bruin Promise, that we as UCLA and as the Alumni Association are here for you.”

A Hub for Experiences

The Bruin Promise website serves as repository for hundreds of UCLA experiences: events, lectures, research, media, publications, etc. It holds a varied and dynamic trove of content from UCLA departments, centers and institutes, which then serve as pathways to take deeper dives into specific subject matters ranging from climate science to cancer research to music innovation and much more.

The site allows you to choose your own adventure beginning with four overarching categories: Arts & Culture, Career & Professional Development, Health & Wellness and Lifelong Learning. Search filters also allow you to sort through colleges and organizations, content types or use a keyword search. The dynamic functionality of the site means that each visit features a different slate of experiences, exposing you to more of UCLA’s diverse offerings.

A Bridge

Every worthwhile partnership is mutually beneficial. This two-way bridge extends educational access to alumni, while strengthening the connection and involvement of alumni to the UCLA community. When alumni are engaged with UCLA, they bring unique advantages, including recruiting students, serving on volunteer boards, connecting academia with industry or becoming mentors to younger Bruins. The contributions of alumni are innumerable.

Likewise, lifelong access to UCLA’s educational resources and opportunities is a tremendous benefit for those wishing to take advantage. Acquire more education and training to advance your career interests. Build on your professional network and generate business leads. Learn the latest research in child psychology or the aging process as you navigate caring for young or elderly dependents. The possibilities are endless when a strong bond is built between alumni and its alma mater. 

A Starting Point

This is phase I, a prototype, an unfinished product. The purpose of launching it now is to give Bruins a chance to explore it, test it, and contribute ideas and feedback towards improving it. Like any new initiative, the idea of the Bruin Promise has been set into motion with a framework, a platform, a content base and search functionality; however, it is still a ways from the ideal – an ideal that is still being defined.

As you navigate the site, consider the following:

• Did you find the content relevant to your needs or interests? What’s missing?
• Is it easy to find what you were searching for? Is the navigation intuitive?
• Does the layout appeal to you? Do you prefer a curated presentation of limited content or a large breadth of content laid out that can be sorted and filtered?

Any and all feedback is welcome and will be considered. You are a stakeholder in the Bruin Promise and the next steps in its evolution will be determined by your user experience. Submit your thoughts to UCLAbruinpromise@alumni.ucla.edu.

A Game-Changer  

“We’re on the cutting edge of discovery every day at UCLA,” says President Ann Wang. “In our commitment to lifelong learning, alumni will now have access to tap into the University’s knowledge from the certificate level to exciting faculty research. Not a lot of universities are cracking that code.”

While the Bruin Promise is in its infancy, imagine the possibilities when it matures into full adulthood. As knowledge builds upon previous knowledge, the platform will continue to grow and evolve and strive for its ideal: a one-stop shop to feed your curiosity and lead you to greater heights personally and professionally. But its success requires your active engagement, your willingness to explore and respond. Poet William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” So with this new promise, let there be light.

Recent Articles

A Bruin’s Fight for Human Rights in Iran

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CLA alumna Orly Hakimi ’03 wants people to know about the beauty of Iran. "I want people to get to know my country. The scenery is beautiful, the culture is amazing, the food is delicious. It has some of the best music, architecture, dancing, poetry, but the world doesn’t see it because of the human rights abuses.”

Hakimi has been outspoken in her support for the protests that followed the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian, who was detained by Iran’s so-called morality police for improperly wearing her government-mandated headscarf. When Amini died in custody, Iranians took to the streets in one of the country’s largest movements for human rights since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, when the religious Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran took power.

Iranian women have been at the forefront of civil rights protests, and Amini’s death sparked an uprising that soon spread worldwide, led by the chant “Woman, Life, Freedom” — “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” in Kurdish; “Zan, Zendegia, Azadi” in Farsi.

Hakimi shared the discrimination and lack of human rights women face in Iran, “They can’t ask for a divorce, can’t wear what they want, can’t travel abroad without a male guardian’s approval, can’t check into a hotel. Basic things that we take for granted are outlawed.”

Iran is one of the world's oldest civilizations, and Hakimi draws a contrast between current events and the country’s legacy as the “Cradle of Civilization.” She says, “2500 years ago Cyrus the Great wrote the first document on human rights. It’s so sad that the country that was the birthplace of human rights is now fighting for what a person wears.”

When Hakimi was 10 years old, her family left Iran and emigrated to the United States after the murder of her grandmother went unpunished because she was a woman murdered by a man. Today, as an avid runner, she has been raising awareness in any way she can. She runs while carrying an Iranian flag and wearing the message, “Running for a Free Iran.” She says, “I have gotten so much positive feedback, our message has been heard.” She has joined fellow activists to paint murals, marched through Los Angeles and formed a human chain with thousands of people. She has attended rallies, concerts and a protest where people chained themselves to LACMA’s streetlights installation.

Young people are the driving force behind calls for change in Iran. Brave women have removed their hijab and cut their hair in acts of resistance. Many protests are taking place at universities and schools, and the government has responded with force, beating and imprisoning thousands. It is estimated that Iranian security forces have killed more than 300 people and detained nearly 15,000, mostly teens, young adults, students, lawyers, journalists and activists.

Protesters shared their acts of defiance on social media, until the Iranian government blocked or slowed access to digital communication. Tech-savvy young people are finding ways to avoid the blockade, and get messages and video to a waiting audience.

Los Angeles has the largest population of Iranians outside of Iran, and the UCLA community is home to Iranian students, alumni, staff and faculty. Following the Iranian Revolution, an estimated two million people left Iran. UCLA scholars are helping to make sense of the news, hosting panel discussions and meetings.

When Hakimi was a UCLA student, she was president of UCLA’s Iranian Student Group (ISG). Recently, she has returned to campus to attend events organized by ISG and the Iranian Graduate and Professional Association, including a candlelight vigil and a march across campus. She says, “I feel so much pride; the students are doing an amazing job.” Members of the student group appeared on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" to spread awareness of the events in Iran. They also sent an open letter to Chancellor Block saying, “It is imperative our community be properly recognized, heard, and seen by acknowledging and addressing the dire circumstances in Iran.”

Chancellor Block shared his concern in his Fall 2022 Update, “UCLA stands firm in its commitment to women’s rights, to justice and equality, and to democratic norms of free, open and safe expression of dissent. We stand unequivocally against violence and repression.”

In Iran, the protests continue, as does the government’s violent response. The fate of protestors in Iran remains unclear, as courts have begun issuing protest-linked death sentences. In response, the United Nations Human Rights Council called its first-ever special session on Iran on Nov. 24 to address the country’s “deteriorating human rights situation.”

As the demonstrations in Iran enter their third month, they have intensified in size and determination. Hakimi says, “This is a revolution now and has surpassed mere protests.” For her part, Hakimi will continue to march, run, create and speak out in support of the people of Iran. “I’m hoping future generations think of these stories as history that won’t ever be repeated.”

Recent Articles

A Return to Rieber and the Good Ol’ Days

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n a warm summer morning in August, an enthusiastic group of Bruins returned to UCLA. Fifty-five alumni, family and friends came back to campus from 14 different states. A shared bond on their journey to adulthood brought them together and more than 45 years later, the bond not only remains strong, but it continues to grow.

The weekend held laughter and love, with old friendships renewed and new ones formed. As students, the group had all lived, partied and studied together on the fourth floor, North wing of UCLA’s Rieber Hall between the years 1975 and 1978. But what mattered is that they supported and looked out for each other. Among the attendees, there were 16 with master's degrees, six Ph.D.s, three M.D.s and four J.D.s. They also collectively had 61 children and 31 grandchildren.

When Steve Heifetz ʼ79 arrived at UCLA in 1975, Captain & Tennille were on the radio singing "Love Will Keep Us Together," Tommy Lasorda played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and UCLA’s annual tuition was $630 for California residents; $2,130 for non-residents.

As the first in his immediate family to attend college, Steve had planned to work for his father. Accepted to UCLA, he was assigned a room on Rieber Hall 4 North (R4N). There, he found the community that gave him the determination to thrive in life. Steve’s bonds to R4N are strong — the dorm was where he met his future wife, Andrea (Halter) Heifetz ’80.

His floormates graduated in the years before cell phones or email, and many only stayed in touch with one or two friends. About 10 years ago, Steve began thinking about his UCLA days, “I miss my old friends, and I hardly ever see them.” The next time he was in Los Angeles for work, he arranged dinner with a small group. The evening ran late into the night, as the friends reminisced about their time at UCLA and how their shared experience during those formative years helped mold their lives.

Back in Minnesota, Steve dug out an old address list and started calling his R4N floormates. He set up a private Facebook group, which grew to 130 members, where the alumni post updates, share old photos and reconnect with friends — as well as rekindle romances. With the help of former UCLA Alumni Board member, John Gong ’80, Steve and Andrea began to plan and organize an in-person event.

Miriam Loui ʼ80 traveled across the Pacific Ocean from Hawaii for the reunion. She is grateful to Steve, Andrea and John for getting the ball rolling, and describes the day as a gift. She says, “The best part of the reunion was that it even happened at all.” She felt happy and lucky to be there, and says, “There was this moment in time that we all came together all those years ago. It was really terrific to be back with friends.”

The excitement was infectious as the day started with a tour of the campus, including a stop at Rieber Hall. The group hired current UCLA students to lead the tours. Soon, alumni and students were sharing stories and swapping memories about Bruin life.

On The Hill, alumni marveled at how the dorm has evolved, with former doubles now sleeping three. When they were at UCLA, historic social changes were taking place across America. In keeping with new attitudes, UCLA began offering coed floors on the fourth and fifth floors of Hedrick, Rieber and Sproul Halls in 1973. Previously, a wall in the lounge between the two towers had separated men from women. Each floor had a bathroom at either end of the long hallway, one designated for men and the other for women. 

The floormates voted to take these changes one step further and make their bathrooms coed after midnight, eliminating the need to take a long walk down the hallway late at night. And that’s where Steve met Andrea, brushing their teeth together after midnight. Several years later Steve and Andrea married, one of several marriages between R4N floor-mates.

Adding to the nostalgia of the day, UCLA Housing catered a delicious lunch. The meal was so wonderful that the alumni could not believe they were eating dorm food. The room also held two tables filled with memorabilia saved from their college days, including copies of the dorm newsletter “What’s Bru-in at Rieber.”

Steve shared a presentation he titled “How Did I Get Here?” He traced life from kindergarten to his career as a cardiologist, emphasizing how UCLA and R4N were central to his life’s pathway. He says, “Hold on to the things that are the most important part of your life … family and friends. They helped create who you are today.”

UCLA Alumni Director of Engagement Operations Sandy Nguyen ʼ10 delivered a talk on Chancellor Block’s Bruin Promise, followed by UCLA student and Alumni Scholar Jack Pearce exp. ʼ24, who gave an engaging presentation on his cancer research. Jack then shared another talent as the party DJ, spinning hit songs from the '70s.

Marilyn Luzano Martin ʼ78 was excited to reconnect with her long lost friends. She recalls that it felt like a family, “What resonates with me was the amazing group of people on the floor. Not everybody got along, but they were good, nice people with a sense of community and camaraderie.” The reunion brought back a flood of memories. “It was like no time has passed.”

Marilyn remembers dorm dinners in the cafeteria as a social event. From time to time, the group would get dressed up for a formal dinner at a nearby restaurant. She loved spending time with old friends. At the reunion, she reconnected with her roommate, Marla Walters. They have been talking and texting, and are planning a visit. She says, “I’m just hoping the next generation has the same experience.” 

The day held one more special surprise. Steve created a one-hour video of photos that told the story of the floormates titled, “Return to Rieber.” Miriam says, “You could hear a pin drop. It was so wonderful to revisit college.” She remembers being a student, walking up Janss Steps thinking, “I’m here for a little while, make the best of it.” Now, she says, “Looking back in the fullness of time, it’s part of me, and I’m really grateful to UCLA.”

No reunion would be complete without a rousing 8-clap. When the party ended at 4 p.m., no one was ready to say goodbye. Half of the group moved to a private room at the Luskin Center's Plateia restaurant where they reminisced until 11 p.m. 

The floormates agree that the day was a joyful and emotional success. They returned home grateful for the friends they made at a pivotal time in their lives, friendships that helped to determine their future plans. Seeing each other again was a reminder of how important these years had been, and that the bonds they made as Bruins are strong enough to last a lifetime. 

Share with us your stories and the ways that you continue to connect with UCLA classmates, for a chance to get featured in a future article or social media post. Email it to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

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Meet the Prez - Ann Wang

When Ann Wang ʼ13 won the UCLA Award for Recent Graduate Achievement in 2015, her future had limitless possibilities. At the time, she was co-founder and CEO of the socially conscious startup Enrou, an online marketplace that aims to create a positive social, financial and sustainable impact on global communities through the power of consumerism. The year prior, she had represented Enrou at the Forbes Under 30 Summit and won the "$400,000 Pressure Cooker" pitch competition. Notably, she was named a Forbes “30 Under 30” social entrepreneur in 2016, and she went on to build her own agency and creative studio that intersects entertainment, media, tech and nonprofits to generate lasting social and cultural change. That same year she joined the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors, and this past July, she became the first Asian American female and millennial to serve as the UCLA Alumni President.

Wang takes us through her journey from her early days as an uninvolved student to becoming the top officer charged with representing and engaging more than half a million UCLA alumni.

I chose UCLA because I wanted to focus on international development studies as well as have a city that had access to every industry and every opportunity. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I wanted to be in a university that had vibrancy of opportunity, and for me that meant access to a lot of different industries.

I didn’t really know how to fit in. I grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, which is an hour east of L.A. but culturally, it was a different universe. UCLA was very intimidating, because it’s a massive school and I had never lived away from home before. The first couple of years was a transition from a mental health perspective and in learning how to live independently.

As a student, I honestly wasn’t very engaged. I wasn’t part of many organizations, maybe a couple of clubs, but my main priority were my studies and being a student worker.  My freshman year I started working for the UCLA Volunteer Center which was brand new at the time. It was built by these amazing, innovative women, who taught me the importance of how to create and innovate within the UCLA ecosystem, which can be pretty bureaucratic at times. After a couple of years of learning and growing, I became a UCLA External Affairs intern under Rhea Turteltaub (Vice Chancellor for External Affairs), which was where I really honed my professional skills — by watching these powerful women move people forward towards impact. This set me up to be an entrepreneur.

By the time I was a senior, we accidentally built this company that was later called Enrou. I grabbed my best girlfriend (co-founder Jessica Wilson ʼ13) and gathered a group of passionate and talented Bruins to build within our own space in the UCLA ecosystem. The idea was to source these amazing products from developing countries that had a story behind them, and then create an online marketplace where socially conscious people can invest in artisans and makers through microfinance, supporting education and providing scholarships. Ideally, these financial investments would have a social and cultural impact in those regions.

Obviously, we had no idea what we were doing. We didn’t know how to find investors. We didn’t know how to put a business plan together. We didn’t know how to pitch anything. We eventually got into StartUp UCLA and started learning about pitching, how to raise money and how to think about our product. On a whim, we applied off Twitter for this pitch competition at Forbes Under 30 Summit in Philadelphia. The top prize was $400,000. We found out we got the opportunity to compete only 48 hours before the conference, so I slept very little trying to prepare. We pitched in front of a thousand people — and we won.

UCLA, Startup UCLA and our community of Bruins prepared us every step of the way without us even knowing it. Without the knowledge and support we gained from UCLA, we could not have told that story on stage. I credit this accidental catalyst that happens at UCLA when you are passionate, optimistic, impact-driven and you can bring people together.

After Enrou experienced rapid growth, capital raise and our fair share of challenges, we decided to slow down our build. And in a few years I knew it was time for me to step away. Once again, I was in a period of transition much like my entry into collegiate life. It was that first transition where I learned to prioritize a deeper level of self-awareness and my mental health, which is an important life lesson that I carry with me to this day. 

I am now a creative consultant in a lot of ways. I built an agency and creative studio called Mindful Ambition where I work with artists, corporations, organizations to think about both their social impact and their tech investing strategy. I love trying to move the needle on really big social or cultural issues like mental health, API discrimination (Stop Asian Hate), recidivism and incarceration. I try to build bridges among different industries — entertainment, tech startups, nonprofits or corporations — so they can all work together towards those particular goals.

I wasn’t a rah-rah Bruin, but my connections to UCLA ran deep. My first job out of college was assistant director with Alumni Scholarships. After I left to work full-time with Enrou, we continuously hired many Bruin interns. We had customers and investors, venture capitalists who were alumni. My mentors Rhea (Turteltaub) and Julie (Sina, Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Affairs) were very big supporters, and it was then that I was nominated to join the Alumni Board. UCLA had given me so much and was critical to the position where I found myself — how could I say no? I was only 23 years old when I sat on my first board.    

I felt like an impostor on this board of incredible, but slightly wiser, slightly older individuals. It took some time to get my footing and understanding of where my value was and how my voice and skill sets could be impactful. When I first joined there was no one on it who had graduated within 10 years, so I was the lone millennial voice.  I was tasked with working with the Careers Committee where we established an Entertainment Industry Cabinet that connected top tier entertainment professionals with alumni and students. Later, as more young alumni joined the board, we moved towards new forms of innovation and engagement with alumni in the post-COVID era, where I was able to utilize my knowledge of tech. I didn’t want a ton of leadership roles, I just wanted to find a place that I felt I can make the most impact.

After six consecutive years, I was about to term off the board, when I felt this deep feeling that my work was not yet done. We are in this unprecedented post-COVID era with unique alumni and student needs. Our University, our amazing Association staff and the collaborations happening across campus have never been this strong and innovative, so pairing that with this season of need will redefine how alumni engagement works for the next generation. Focusing on meeting their needs was the catalyst for me to want to lead the board in the next couple of years. We’re about to embark into a period of innovation, building and resources, driven by technology, driven by data and driven for alumni across their lifespan. So that’s why I raised my hand (to run for president).

As the first Asian American woman to serve as president, I have a platform. Sure, outside of those labels I am who I am and my mentality has always been how can I be valuable; how can I be impactful? But I have also been on this journey of embracing, understanding and elevating my voice as an Asian American woman. That was not the case for me growing up. I never wanted my Asian identity to be this source of loud amplification of who I was. But I came to realize that I now have this ability to serve the University and our alumni, while representing the young, female Asian American voice who is not afraid to show up and fight for the amplification of our multi-cultural community and for the challenges we face, whether it’s discrimination, access, equity or whatever the needs may be. I accept this responsibility with great joy, and hope to make an impact through the Association Board and as a future UC Regent.  

What impresses me most about alumni is how diverse and humble we are as a group. We are passionate and optimistic. We showed up for each other during the pandemic. We’re committed to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges and contribute in ways that are impactful, driving culture and society towards progress and evolution. But given all that, there’s not a lot of verbal shouting of all that we do. There’s an opportunity for us to share our stories more broadly and with pride. It’s a consistent theme that I’ve seen with alumni whom I’ve met who are change-makers and impact-drivers, and yet who are still pretty humble about it.

The next two years will be driven by our board’s commitment to the strategic plan. The environment we’re in right now is the needs of alumni have changed the last couple of years and continue to change. Our goal is to identify and address those needs across their lifespan. With the Chancellor’s Bruin Promise, we’re offering opportunities for lifelong learning and open access to UCLA’s resources. The two main priorities are: 1) Align and amplify the Alumni Association identity, and 2) Reimagine alumni engagement. We’ll be utilizing research data and technology to achieve these goals. We aim to elevate alumni relationships with each other, with UCLA, with the community and have a bigger presence globally.   

At the end of my term, I want my legacy to be a noticeable change in how alumni perceives UCLA and the Alumni Association. I want alumni to feel a clear difference in how the University and the Association are showing up to support them. Secondly, I want alumni to feel seen and empowered by the UCLA story; for UCLA to not be perceived as just a bubble, but as one that reaches out to different industries, makes new partnerships, engages new alumni communities, so that their identity and their story is also the UCLA story.

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