We dedicate this issue to all Bruin alumnae making herstory in their own personal and professional journeys.
This week, we are proud to share a message from our very own Julie Sina, Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Affairs, in which she shares her own professional journey.
"My journey to UCLA is a cross-country adventure, beginning in Wisconsin, through Iowa, Virginia, Florida and northern California. While this journey has crossed many campuses, both public and private, the heart of my path is likely similar to your own. After all, we are leaders in the same work of nurturing, empowering and lifting up the voices of our next generation of leaders. And like so many of you, I am a first-generation student and this is the core of my story. I am a sexual assault survivor. Supporting women in this space and sharing our voice has been an important chapter in my narrative.
"As we celebrate Women’s Herstory Month, I am grateful for the reflection this celebration provides. Grateful for the sheroes who have made such a difference in our lives — women who have inspired and empowered us to build our communities stronger.
"My very first professional position was a residence hall director. I later assisted the vice president for student affairs and had the opportunity to serve as the advisor to student government on several campuses and develop a campus-wide student orientation program. After earning my Ph.D. in college student personnel a decade later, I continued along my student affairs journey to become a dean of students and next a vice president for student life. The days were long and many were hard, but we knew how important our leadership was. In the face of challenging situations, the ‘faces’ became my focus. Thousands of faces, of students and faculty, of colleagues and community members. I found that my best self would lead with my heart.
"Which leads me back to where we began. I traveled to southern California for the chance to work with the UCLA College, fondly referred to as the heart of a campus representing tens of thousands of students across a multitude of disciplines – students who would continue their journey to alumnihood. Where I am today, at Alumni Affairs for UCLA, I am honored with the opportunity to use my voice to celebrate Women’s Herstory Month. With a heart full of appreciation, I honor the countless women, coast to coast, who shared with me their strength, fears, wisdom and kindness. In their honor, I share these gifts with all of you. May we lead on through challenges and celebrations in partnership, collaboration and appreciation."
– Julie Sina
Alumnae Sip & Share
Featured in the next installment of
UCLA Alumnae Sip & Share Series, Sahra Ngueyn '09 is the founder of
Nguyen Coffee Supply, America's first specialty Vietnamese coffee importer and roaster.
Read
Jamika Martin '18 successfully launched her skincare brand,
ROSEN, through Startup UCLA. Read about her entrepreneurial journey in a recent
story in Essence magazine.
Watch
Maia Ferdman '15, M.A. '15, shares
her career journey spanning the nonprofit, government and education sectors with Inspiring Girls International.
Listen
UCLA Alumni Association board member and CEO and co-founder of
Enrou, Ann Wang '13, joins the
Bruin Success Podcast and shares her career calling — social enterprise.
As always, we thank you for all your love and support. Feel free to forward this to a friend and visit our social media companion to the Diversity Digest on Instagram at @ucladiversealum. Most importantly, please let us know if there is a topic you are interested in by submitting ideas to diversity@alumni.ucla.edu.
