UCLA Alumni Association

UCLA Alumni Association
Name	UCLA Alumni Association
Formation	1934
Headquarters	James West Alumni Center, Los Angeles, California
Membership	Over 500,000
Website	alumni.ucla.edu

UCLA Alumni Association. The UCLA Alumni Association serves as the primary organization connecting graduates and former students of the University of California, Los Angeles to their alma mater and to each other. Established in 1934, it fosters a lifelong relationship between the university and its vast global network of alumni. The association provides a wide array of benefits, programs, and services designed to support alumni personally and professionally while encouraging continued engagement with UCLA.

History

The organization was founded in 1934, just fifteen years after the university's establishment as the Southern Branch of the University of California. Its early activities were closely tied to supporting the growth and development of the young campus, including advocacy for resources and facilities. A significant milestone was the 1979 completion of the James West Alumni Center, a dedicated hub for alumni activities located on the UCLA campus. Throughout its history, it has expanded its reach globally, establishing chapters worldwide and evolving its programs to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse and dispersed alumni population.

Membership and benefits

All graduates of UCLA automatically become lifetime members, a group encompassing over 500,000 individuals worldwide. Key benefits include access to career services through the Bruin Career Network, exclusive insurance and financial service programs, and discounts on continuing education courses. Members receive subscriptions to publications like *UCLA Magazine* and enjoy privileges such as library access, ticket pre-sales for UCLA Athletics events, and travel opportunities through the UCLA Alumni Travel program. Special affinity groups also offer tailored benefits for communities like Anderson School of Management graduates or School of Law alumni.

Programs and events

The association coordinates a vast calendar of programs, including regional networking mixers, faculty lecture series, and cultural outings to venues like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art or the Hollywood Bowl. Signature events include the annual UCLA Awards ceremony honoring distinguished alumni and the nationwide Bruin Day of Service. Career-focused programs feature workshops, mentorship connections with firms like Google or The Walt Disney Company, and industry-specific panels. Social and educational events often leverage the expertise of renowned UCLA faculty and are held from San Francisco to New York City and internationally.

Governance and organization

The association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of alumni leaders who set strategic direction and policy. Day-to-day operations are managed by a professional staff headquartered at the James West Alumni Center, working under the guidance of an executive director. Its structure includes numerous committees focused on areas such as advocacy, student relations, and diversity initiatives. The organization works in close partnership with the UCLA Foundation and the university's central administration, reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Alumni Affairs.

Notable alumni

The association's membership includes a profound number of influential figures across all fields. In entertainment, this encompasses actors like James Franco and Carol Burnett, and filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola. In science and technology, members include Internet pioneer Vint Cerf and astronaut Anna Lee Fisher. The political sphere counts Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg among its ranks. Distinguished alumni in literature include poet Joy Harjo, and in business, leaders like former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki.

Affiliated groups and networks

A robust structure of affiliate groups includes over 100 geographic chapters, from the Bruins of Silicon Valley to the UCLA Club of Washington, D.C.. Special interest networks cater to communities such as Bruin Black Alumni, UCLA Lambda Alumni Association for LGBTQ+ graduates, and the UCLA Veterans Alumni Network. Academic and professional affiliates include the UCLA Anderson Alumni Association and groups for graduates of the David Geffen School of Medicine. These groups operate semi-autonomously, organizing local events and programs that feed into the broader mission.

Category:University of California, Los Angeles Category:Alumni associations