Students: In Our Own Words
Arezo Ahmadi
Molecular, Cell and
Developmental Biology
Oseas Garcia
History
Stafford Williams
Neuroscience
Jaeden Wesley
Mathematics/Economics;
Statistics and Data Science
Our Lives at UCLA Are as Diverse as We Are
Our Statistics Tell
a Compelling Story
One of our greatest strengths as a university is our diverse student body, which includes people and perspectives from every walk of life.
Faculty and Staff: In Our Own Words
Eric Avila
Professor of History, Chicana/o Studies and Urban Planning
Catherine Douglas
Director, Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity
Here, We Strive for Acceptance
and Inclusion
 | “It’s incumbent upon us to really see students and think about how they’re supported at this stage in their development. We must try to take their entire identity into consideration when it’s relevant for the student. I think the most profound way that we can know each other is by honoring and accepting each other’s stories.” |
“I come from a very challenging background, and before going to UCLA, I had many similar experiences to those of our students. With the BRC, my passion is to make sure that all of our students have the opportunity to get a college degree, and to give them that place on campus where they can be in community with others like them, realize they’re not alone and know that they matter.” |  |
Alumni: In Our Own Words
One thing about UCLA is that whatever your vibe is, whatever you identify with or as, or wherever your affinities lie, you’ll find a group for you. My affinities were strongly supported by the Veteran Resource Center. You’d think that veterans all have kind of predictable qualities, but that place is filled with a breath of fresh air as far as diversity and different walks of life, even within the military veteran community.
When I attended UCLA, Bruin Walk was vibrant with diverse faces, languages and laughter. There were Black people from all parts of the country and the world, and it felt like a community where I could choose how I showed up. Whether I blended in or stood out, it was up to me. My UCLA experience challenged my thinking and empowered me to move through the world boldly. It was the first of many big decisions in my life and, hands down, one of the best.
My parents didn't go to college and had limited experience with formal education, so meeting other students who shared my background helped me realize I wasn't crazy to dream big. I got to know people from all over the world with stories similar to and completely different from mine. I learned to be mindful of my initial judgments of people and to seek out shared values or experiences with others. This broadened my horizons and helped me grow into someone who is passionate about creating a world where everyone has a chance to thrive.