Whether brewed in Beijing or cultivated in South America’s Amazon rainforest, each cup of tea or coffee from different parts of the world brings a sense of unity and belonging for everyone. Just one sip can mark the start of interesting conversations. With a cup of “joe” in hand, parents and families of current UCLA students will gather in nearby neighborhood coffee shops on Saturday, Feb. 9 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Coffee Socials and meet alumni who are invited as guests for the first time.

 

Back in 2009, several UCLA parents came together and approached staff about the idea of connecting with other UCLA parents who live near them. There were just four Coffee Socials in California that year (El Segundo, Playa Vista, Chula Vista and San Francisco), each hosted by a current UCLA parent, with approximately 35 participants in attendance. Ten years later, these informal gatherings have more than 1,000 registered guests across the U.S. and international countries as far as Brazil and India. The global event has not only created deep connections and encouraged close friendships between parents and families but also provided a chance for participants to learn about campus partners, the history of the University and more importantly, how to engage with the UCLA community.

 

With the presence of new alumni faces participating in Coffee Socials this year, parents and families will have an opportunity to speak one-on-one with Bruins in their area about anything UCLA and beyond. The goal is to broaden the connections within the Bruin community, and strengthen ties between UCLA alumni and current UCLA families by region. An asset to the UCLA community, alumni are able to provide first-hand experience and information to current parents and families on the resources and opportunities awaiting their student after graduation.

 

While sharing their post-collegiate experiences, UCLA grads can talk about how alumni networks benefit students during and after their college years. In total, UCLA Alumni Affairs supports more than 140 professional, affinity, diversity and regional alumni networks around the world. They are valuable tools for alumni to leverage their UCLA experience and connections. Bruins can identify and join the networks that match their interests, which offer everything from networking and educational events, to volunteer leadership experiences and job opportunities. Coffee Socials provide yet another fun setting for alumni to interact with fellow Bruins and expand their network.

 

 

If you are looking to attend a coffee social event, click the button below to search for the nearest location. For those interested in collaborating with the Office of Parent & Family Programs to host a coffee social event in your area or in the near future, contact parentinvolvement@support.ucla.edu.