Creating Community

The Pacific Islands Student Association (PISA), led by Melody Satele Exp. '22, has reached out to alumni in hopes of gauging interest in having the UCLA Pacific Islander Alumni Association (PIAA) become active again.

Given the diverse backgrounds, experiences and career pathways of our alumni community, we value the work that our alumni have done to bring visibility and opportunities for Pacific Islanders, an underrepresented group that makes up less than one percent of the UCLA student population, in higher education and beyond.

By revamping the Alumni Association, we aim to create a stronger foundation for Pacific Islander alumni, students, staff and faculty to organize and advocate for the community for years to come. We hope to strengthen ties between past, present and future Pasifika Bruins and utilize our collective power.

This issue of the Digest is dedicated to the relaunch of UCLA's Pacific Islander alumni network.

Support
Join in the movement to relaunch the UCLA Pacific Islander Alumni Association by attending Thursday's information session.

Learn
California's affirmative action bans have had a devastating impact on students from underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups including Pacific Islanders.

Read
American Indian and Pacific Islander students call on UCLA for more representation.

Celebrate
As a result of student organizing, UCLA will offer a Living Learning Community focused on the Pacific Islander and American Indian student experience.

As always, we thank you for your love and support. Feel free to forward this to a friend and share your updates with us at diversity@alumni.ucla.edu.

Thank you,

UCLA Alumni Diversity Programs & Initiatives staff