The Illuminate Conference at UCLA

From Triggers to Menty B’s: Compassion-Centered Approaches to Supporting Gen Z Mental Health

Drea Letamendi, Josh Mayfield | Residential Life, RISE Center | Covel Grand Horizon Ballroom

Gen Z students report higher rates of depression, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness than previous generations. Despite these challenges, this generation stands out for their mental health literacy.

This guided discussion will teach Student Affairs professionals effective strategies in engaging students about their mental health through a compassion-centered lens. Participants will learn how to implement trust-building responses to signs of distress, ways to show up and hold space as a mental health and neurodiversity ally, and when to escalate concerning situations to campus health partners.

Bridging the Distance: Strategies for Supporting Commuter Students

Dominique Penate, Philip Goodrich | Campus Life | Covel North Ridge

Commuter students are a large, yet oftentimes hidden population. The presenters will contextualize the commuter student experience at UCLA, share practices for supporting commuters, including the BruinHub, and engage in a discussion about the challenges and opportunities of working with this student community. Attendees will walk away from this presentation with a new way of thinking about commuter student support and tangible strategies that can be implemented in one’s own work.

The Evolution and Impact of the UCLA Student Leadership Academy

Diana Joy Go, Cruz Garibay, kc Bui | Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Office | Covel West Coast

The Student Leadership Academy is a cohort-based, immersive residential experience where undergraduate students participate in seminars and small/large group dialogues that promote leadership development and confidence building to engage in difficult conversations. Since its inception in 2023, the program has grown to cater to both current and incoming undergraduate students through collaborations with various Student Affairs departments. Hear from a panel of student and staff participants who have illuminated the way for the continued growth and evolution of this program.

Panel on Immigration Policy

Sam Nahidi | Dashew Center | Covel South Bay

Panel will emphasize the critical role for campus administrators to support the UCLA international student and scholar community, including by providing knowledge, education, counseling and professional support.

A Call for More Intentional Collaboration Across the Campus Through Professional Development

Marian Gabra | Center for Academic Advising in the College; Division of Undergraduate Education | Carnesale Malibu

The Advising Communities of Excellence (ACE) Professional Development Program is a collaborative learning community that nurtures the professional growth of UCLA advisors and staff across the campus. Through purposeful programming and initiatives, ACE provides tangible resources, strategies, and intellectual spaces for staff to cultivate innovation and to support each other within a community of care.

This session will provide a short presentation of ACE, and then invite participants to brainstorm together how we can collaborate more intentionally and strategically.

Using AI in Student Affairs: Today and Tomorrow

Praveen Dugar, Matthew Geddert, PJ Earley | Student Affairs IT Office | Carnesale Venice

In this session you’ll be among the first people to see a demo of the upcoming ChatGPT powered chatbot Student Affairs IT and Undergraduate Education are developing to help students receive quick personalized support. We’ll additionally provide a short overview of a few practical ways you can use existing AI tools at UCLA in your day-to-day work. We’ll end with a glimpse of where we imagine AI will be used at UCLA in the future.

Reimagining Career Education and Professional Development for Diverse Student Populations

Maria Hidalgo Flores, Andre Philippo | Career Center | Carnesale Hermosa

The UCLA First-Generation College to Career Model is designed to equip and prepare first-generation college students to transition from student to professional. Using a Social-Cognitive Theory of Career Development lens, to focus on reframing first-generation undergraduate students' individualized approach to career outcomes. The goal is to equip FGCUSs with the needed career education to support a smooth transition post-graduation.

Ensuring College Success for Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Students at UCLA

Shanahan Europa, Kiara Santos | Residential Life | De Neve Plaza Room Salon A

NHPIs are one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in the U.S. and NHPI students are enrolling into higher education at a rate higher than the U.S. national average. Yet, NHPIs have one of the lowest graduation rates among all ethnic groups. UCLA has been a critical site for supporting NHPI students and was recently designated an AANAPISI institution this past year.

Learn about the current work UCLA is doing to support its NHPI student population with the American Indian Pacific Islander LLC and Pacific Islander Student Association and best practices for promoting NHPI student development.

Building a Graduate Career Summit for Underrepresented Students

Erin Brown, Elyse Gueidon | UCLA Career Center (Graduate Career Services) | De Neve Plaza Room Salon B

In Spring 2023, UCLA Graduate Career Services developed a graduate career summit for First Gen, BIPOC, and system-impacted graduate students and postdocs to address their most pressing professional development concerns. The result was a week of programming that engaged and inspired students who had never previously worked with Graduate Career Services.

Shared Legacy: Planning for the LA28 Athletes' Village at UCLA

Mick Deluca, Erinn McMahan | Campus Life, Recreation | Carnesale Palisades Grand Ballroom

UCLA will be the home of the Athletes' Village during the LA2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will pose unique challenges and great opportunities. Approximately 78% of campus housing along the majority of sport and recreation facilities on campus will be utilized by LA28 to support Village Operations during mid-June 2028 to mid-September 2028. Learn about the planning at UCLA along with the role Student Affairs is playing, what to anticipate in the next four years, and how we anticipate staff could be involved in the Summer 2028.

Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index Practices at The Ashe Center

Eugene Mehalik, Kate Mulligan | Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center | Covel North Ridge

For 15 years, the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index has served as the national LGBTQ+ benchmarking tool for promoting equitable, inclusive care in the healthcare setting. However, of the more than 900 facilities that participated in 2022, <5% were student-serving, university health centers. Learn how UCLA’s Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center – an active HEI participant since 2015 – utilizes the survey to improve its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community on our campus.

Understanding Our Money Stories: Supporting Students’ Financial Well-Being

Sara Potter, Belginy Molina, Lily Ball | FELSS - Financial Wellness | De Neve Plaza Room Salon A

Join us for dialogue and self-reflection to examine our relationships with money, review tools for coping with financial stress, and an overview of tips on how to navigate financial conversations with students.

The High Impact of Student Legal Services

Christin Liu, Xochitl Gutierrez and Allison Aquino-Silva | Student Legal Services | Covel South Bay

Student Legal Services provides a wide range of legal assistance to students, addressing various legal concerns that may arise during their time at the University. Our services include advice and representation on matters such as housing disputes, university-related matters, employment, immigration, and more.

Beyond offering legal guidance, our work plays a crucial role in supporting student success and retention. By helping students navigate legal challenges, we enable them to focus on their academic goals without the added stress of legal issues.

DOS v OSC: What's the Big Difference?

Emmy Passer, Jasmine Rush | Office of the Dean of Students/Student Conduct | Covel West Coast

Join the UCLA Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of Student Conduct as they come together to explain how their two department office works both together and independently!

The HEART of Harm Reduction: Public Health Essentials for UCLA Students

Finn Kovi, Bianca Barcelo, Nikita Satish | Health Education & Resource Team at the Ashe Center | De Neve Plaza Room Salon B

The Health Education & Resource Team (HEART) is a cohort of 17 peer educators based out of the Ashe Center. This session will go over the many public health projects HEART is implementing on campus, and we will deliver mini lessons from our workshops to talk about why BMI is bunk, give a sexual health pop quiz and share the tools that have saved thousands of lives from overdose.

A Whole Life | Holistic Support Begins with Humanizing the Student Experience

Šerifa Dela Cruz, Itzel Guerrero, Ishia Barajas, Vivian Salazar, Melissa Faybik | Economic Crisis Response Team | Carnesale Hermosa

This session highlights the importance of holistic student support, rooted in compassion, empathy, and human connection. It encourages participants to look beyond immediate services and consider the broader context of students' lived experiences and compounding needs. The session advocates for rethinking of practices and policies that may no longer serve students effectively. It emphasizes the need for a reimagining of support systems as interdependent networks guided by expertise and mutually reliant partnerships, with a focus on student stories and the evolving realities of students' lives.

Balancing the Scales: Navigating Administrative Responsibilities While Championing the Student Experience

Suzanne Seplow | Student Development & Health | Covel Grand Horizon Ballroom

In the fast-paced realm of higher education, administrators play a crucial role in shaping institutional policies and fostering an environment that supports student success. Administrators not only oversee institutional operations but also work toward championing student interests, ensuring that the developed policies and initiatives align with the needs and aspirations of the student body. This presentation delves into the strategies for effectively balancing these dual roles, highlighting the significance of empathy, clear communication, and collaborative leadership.

Innovative Community Building in Higher Education: A Live Conversation

Saul Magallanes, Gustavo Tepetla, Constance Joyner | College Corps, Residential Life | Carnesale Venice

In this interactive live podcast recording, we’ll explore the pressing challenges faced by Student Affairs professionals and innovative strategies to foster meaningful connections with students. Featuring Gustavo C. Tepetla, Principal Producer for UCLA’s Student Res Life Learning Center, and a special guest, this session will provide creative insights and actionable tools to address evolving campus needs. Join us for an engaging discussion that combines storytelling, expertise, and reimagines community building in higher education.

Speaking Across Conflict: Primer

Amrit Nagra, Kris Kaupalolo | Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center, SOLE (Student Organizations, Leadership & Engagement) | Carnesale Malibu

The goal of this session is to build higher education professionals’ confidence, capacity, and hands-on experience in opening up difficult, meaningful communication on charged political issues. The framework is developed by Resetting the Table (RTT), an organization that equips leaders and communities with tools and skills to overcome toxic division and escalation in American life. RTT has developed frameworks and training programs for meaningful communication across differences of background and views. Both presenters recently completed the Resetting the Table Train the Trainer course, and aims to share these skills with other student affairs professionals.

Crafting Clarity: Building Strong Position Descriptions (JDs) & Partnering with Talent Acquisition for Successful Recruitment

Andrew Segura, Yogini Purohit, and Lorraine Lacson | Student Affairs HR, Finance, and Talent Acquisition | Carnesale Venice

This presentation offers a fundamental understanding of the Career Tracks framework and the methods for drafting and revising position descriptions. Additionally, we will explore how collaborating with Talent Acquisition in Student Affairs can help you navigate every stage of the recruitment process. By leveraging specialized knowledge and resources, Talent Acquisition can support hiring managers in identifying and engaging a wide pool of talented applicants, enhancing recruitment strategies, and ensuring equitable, inclusive practices.

Understanding the Culture of Perfectionism in High-achieving Students

Stephanie Guarda | Residential Life | Covel North Ridge

UCLA is made up of leaders and high-achieving students; the average incoming first year student's high school GPA is at or above a 4.0. Our students are used to being the best of the best, and that often comes with the mindset that “only perfect is acceptable.” This is especially true for first-generation students who face the pressure of being the first to succeed at college in their family. We will explore what the culture of perfectionism means and how it impacts students’ mental health. Hot take: As student affairs educators, we can encourage students not to do more, but do less to thrive.

Empowering Students, Enriching Democracy: The Promise of Civic Engagement

Philip Goodrich | Campus Life | Covel West Coast

In The Student Personnel Point of View – a key historical document in the evolution of the student affairs profession – it states that one of the purposes of higher education is “a fuller realization of democracy in every phase of living” (1949, p. 2). Student Affairs is uniquely positioned to help the university realize its civic mission and contribute to both student development and democracy. This session will provide attendees with a foundational understanding of civic engagement, as well as ideas and inspiration for incorporating civic learning and democratic engagement into our work.

Creating a Campus-Wide Culture of Career Development

Kimberly Terrill, Jessica Oviedo | Career Center | De Neve Plaza Room Salon A

Research has shown that the benefits of higher education include a number of positive social outcomes, yet many of us know that students are primarily concerned about the increased job outcomes that a four-year degree provides. This presentation will explore the ways that career development and preparation can be found in all aspects of a UCLA education and how creating a university-wide culture of career development will not only enhance student satisfaction with their education but also improve their professional and employment outcomes.

Civic Engagement through Valued Community Partnerships

Zainab Nicholas, Constance Joyner (Cee Jaye) | College Corps | Covel South Bay

In an era of growing social challenges, higher education institutions have a unique opportunity to strengthen their civic mission by fostering valued partnerships with community organizations. This session explores how collaborative efforts between universities and community stakeholders enhance student learning, address societal issues, and promote equity. Participants will gain practical strategies for building and sustaining mutually beneficial relationships that prioritize shared goals, trust, and long-term impact.

Brain Training Through Movement

Paul McCarthy | Student Affairs | Carnesale Palisades Grand Ballroom

Join Paul McCarthy in this fun and engaging movement session where he will take you through a variety of different activities that are designed to improve cognitive function. In conjunction with neuroscientists around the country, including with Dr. Robert Bilder of the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Mr. McCarthy has developed a method of teaching movement that also stimulates regions and elements of the brain that help with working memory, response inhibition and other executive functions. Activities will be inclusive of all individuals regardless of ability or skill and will provide a new way to look at how you workout, play sports or move throughout all of your day to day activities!

Cultivating Community Leaders: The UCLA College Corps Model for Civic Engagement

Erika Charco, Jewel Bourne, Saul Magallanes | College Corps | De Neve Plaza Room Salon B

This session will highlight civic engagement and show that volunteerism isn't just about work but about fostering long-term, positive change in Los Angeles. The UCLA College Corps program will present a discussion about students who are part of a movement to create resilient communities by supporting local initiatives, addressing socio-economic issues, and uplifting underrepresented voices, in the three specific areas of K-12 education, climate action and food insecurity. The session will elaborate on the program structure that works to support students.

UndocuAlly 101

Enrique Campos Hernandez, Gina Pech | BRC - Undocumented Student Program | Carnesale Hermosa

This UndocuAlly 101 session will provide a foundational overview of how to support undocumented students on college campus. Participants will gain insights into the unique challenges undocumented students face and explore key resources, services, and policies designed to foster their academic and personal success. The session will highlight effective practices for creating inclusive and empowering campus environments, emphasizing collaboration and advocacy. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable strategies to serve as allies and champions for undocumented students.

Building Welcoming Spaces: The GSRCs Role in Empowering the Grad Student Community

Trisha Mazumder | Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) | Covel Grand Horizon Ballroom

This session will explore the GSRC as a welcoming, inclusive “third space” designed to bridge gaps between departments. Grounded in Community Cultural Wealth theory, the GSRC fosters an environment where graduate students, professionals students, campus partners, community members, custodians, and guests feel valued, supported and heard. Through a student panel, participants will learn how the GSRC creates a space that prioritizes equity, accessibility and belonging, offering a crucial resource for UCLA’s diverse academic community.

International Bruin Ally Training

Jenna Bustamante, Rose Merida | Dashew Center | De Neve Plaza Room Salon B

Wouldn’t our campus be a better place for our International Bruins if domestic students and colleagues were more knowledgeable about the international experience? Join Dashew Center staff in this interactive ally training workshop. Participants will learn about how to act as allies and actively support international communities on campus through their work and interactions. Dashew Center staff will also share examples of challenges faced by the international community, as well as how to promote more inclusive and welcoming campus environments.

The Game of Transfer

Mauricio Gutierrez, Sarah Molitoris, Estephanie Lopez | Transfer Student Center | Covel Grand Horizon Ballroom

Prepare yourself for the transfer student experience of a lifetime! Learn what it means to be a transfer student with this experiential game-style presentation inspired by the The Game of Life. Attendees will leave with more insight on transfer experience and how to better support transfer students.

The Graduate & Professional Student Profile at UCLA: Understanding the Diverse Community

Zuleika Bravo, Marilyn Gray | Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) | Covel South Bay

In this presentation we will provide a profile of the graduate student population and their priorities and support needs. We will then discuss our department and other key Student Affairs units that provide support for graduate students. Finally, we will give an overview of other campus partners who support graduate students so that you better understand the resources for graduate students and how to make referrals to these resources.

Supporting Undocumented Students through Engagement Practices

Astrid Colop, Alma Sanchez | College Corps | Carnesale Hermosa

College Corps at UCLA is a service-oriented program open to all undergraduate students. In its third year, College Corps has developed effective practices to support undocumented students by developing partnerships with campus partners, creating skill development opportunities, and leveraging state funding. In this session, attendees will learn about the College Corps model and hear from students on the most impactful program components. Furthermore, attendees will identify engagement practices that they can implement in their department to further support undocumented students.

RISING UP: Elevating Student Wellness Through Community and Collaboration

Jacqualyn Glorioso, Alea Orange, Valeria Lopez | RISE Center | Covel North Ridge

Join the RISE Center as they share their resources and ideas around community wellness programming throughout campus through small and large-scale community events. In this presentation and discussion session, we will review how we can develop responsive programming based on student needs, especially surrounding imposter feelings, loneliness, and resilience. Participants will leave with tangible tools to enhance their own department’s student wellness programming models as well as how to foster interdepartmental collaboration in order to further create a culture of care.

The Trans Wellness Team

Tara Tehrani, Kate Mulligan, Vanessa Aviva Gonzales-Siegel | CAPS, Ashe Center, LGBTQ+ Center | De Neve Plaza Room Salon A

The Trans Wellness Team at UCLA fosters integrated, comprehensive, and affirming care for transgender and gender-diverse students. The team enhances coordination among medical, mental health, and case management providers, facilitates case consultations for CAPS clinical staff, and collaborates with students and campus partners. The team includes student representatives and UCLA Gender Health and works to ensure sensitivity, accessibility, and safety in healthcare experiences. Additionally, the team advocates for systemic changes on a campus-wide level.

Improving Student Affairs Processes with Modern Tools

Donny Morada, Kathy Chen, Dhruv Purohit | Student Affairs IT | Covel West Coast

Collaboration tools foster effective communication and teamwork in remote and hybrid work. This session will focus on how to:

• Automatically collect name, UCLA ID, and Official UCLA email in the Form Suite for surveys, questionnaires, and other data. With Google Sheet integration, create structured workflows
• Create your own automations without coding, such as email notifications, status updates, or date calculations, in SmartSuite
• Define complex systems with student records data in the Workflow Suite to route requests to department groups, generate forms/letter, and update systems in the background

Elevate Your Well-Being with FITWELL Movement & Mindfulness Programming

Isabelle Du Soleil, Liz Au, Sam Soetenga, Mandy Muenzer, Julia Rhoton | Recreation | Sproul Cove Landing Living Room

This interactive, highly participatory workshop will lead you through experiential exercises representing each of UCLA Recreation FITWELL's major program offerings to elevate your well-being and help familiarize you with these programs so you and the students you influence can participate.

Becoming Self-Determined: Improving Self-Determination Skills in College Students

Patricia Violi | Center for Accessible Education | Carnesale Venice

Students with disabilities are entering college campuses across the nation in increasing numbers and accessing accommodations that create equitable opportunities for them in college. Most students with disabilities come to college with little understanding of how support in a higher education setting differs from their K-12 experience. This session will explore techniques on helping students with and without disabilities improve their self-determination skills, which will help them gain skills to excel in the college environment.

Honoring Your Nervous System in High Stress Work

Hillary Thomas, Alejandra Cardenas, Stephanie Luna | Case Management Services | Covel North Ridge

Have you ever felt like the pace or intensity of your work overwhelms you? Sometimes the demand of the workday can lead to feeling overstimulated or the opposite, shut down. High stress often makes us feel that we have to put ourselves last; however, the ability to stay with yourself (in your body, and with your unique thoughts and feelings) is incredibly important.

Finding Resilience After Campus Rupture

Dr. Nicole Presley | CAPS | Covel Grand Horizon Ballroom

This presentation will provide a culturally responsive framework to explore how staff can strengthen their own resilience and mental health after significant campus climate events such as the most recent student encampments, post-election season and world climate events.

From Shortcuts to Integration: AI’s Evolving Role in Higher Education

Kevin Pong, Tim Norris, Katie Baker, Burt Harris, Faye Widjaja | Residential Life - Program and Event Management | Carnesale Venice

AI's influence in higher education extends beyond student coursework to classroom tech like cameras and microphones, reshaping learning experiences. While AI tools streamline assignments, their misuse for shortcuts challenges academic integrity. Conversely, integrating AI into teaching, including intelligent classroom tech, fosters engagement and accessibility. Smart systems enhance hybrid learning and personalize teaching, bridging gaps for diverse student needs. Balancing innovation with ethical use remains key to AI’s constructive adoption in education.

Fostering Diversity, Mental Wellness, and Community Through Outdoor Experiences

Michelle Perrault, Kim Walsh, Brooke Giorgi, Sean Basu | Recreation | De Neve Plaza Room Salon A

Learn how Outdoor Adventures & Experiential Programs have been working to support diversity, belonging, mental health, and community-building. Through a panel discussion and lecture with slides, we will share how the outdoor equipment rental center, challenge course, and outdoor trips programming support a thriving campus commuity.

From Campus Life to Comic Con: Student Engagement Through Pop Culture

Brian MacDonald, Andrea Letamendi, PhD,
Zuleika Bravo | Student Affairs Communications, Graduate Student Resource Center, Residential Life | Covel West Coast

For over a decade, the GeekED collective of student affairs educators has presented at San Diego Comic Con on issues related to the college student experience. Hear from several educators from UCLA who have participated in these sessions and the ways in which it has positively impacted their ability to help students.

Empowering First-Year Bruins: Insights, Resources, and Building a Connected Community

Abigail Johnson | First Year Experience | De Neve Plaza Room Salon B

This panel will explore the first-year experience at UCLA through the lens of our First Year Experience unit. Join us as we share key findings from our focus groups, spotlight resources designed to enhance belonging and success, and hear directly from first-year students about their transition to UCLA. Attendees will leave with strategies to better support first-year students and an invitation to join in on fostering collaboration and innovation in first-year programming.

Work Hard, Play Harder: Gamifying the Workplace

Chett Miller | Campus Life | Covel South Bay

Gamification is revolutionizing how we can approach work by applying game-inspired elements—fun, play, transparency, competition, and design—to tasks like recruitment, training, and customer service. This approach boosts productivity, enhances employee satisfaction, and fosters growth by making work more engaging. This session explores the connections between work and play, highlighting the importance of games and providing actionable strategies for incorporating gamification into managerial practices to create a more dynamic and effective workplace.

Integrating Student Affairs Into Athletics

Kenneth Donaldson, Vice Chancellor Monroe Gorden | Athletics, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Office | Carnesale Malibu

This interactive session will discuss the unique ways that UCLA Athletics has integrated student affairs development into their academic and student athlete development programming in support of their student athletes.

From Budgeting to Balance: Building a Sustainable Financial Future

Yogini Purohit, An Pham | HR & Finance | Carnesale Hermosa

This presentation focuses on the critical role of fiscal stewardship in managing resources at a public university, with an emphasis on the shared responsibility that all staff have in ensuring effective and ethical financial decision-making. The session will also explore key decision-making considerations in budgeting.

The session aims to foster a deep understanding of fiscal responsibility and how it shapes the long-term health of the university.

Empowering Inclusive Leaders: A 23-Year Legacy of Student Leadership Development at CPO

Samantha Magpusao, Monica Mendoza, Dennis Santiago Goodspeed, Antonio Sandoval Ayala | Community Programs Office | Carnesale Malibu

Since 2001, the UCLA Community Programs Office (CPO) has redefined the role of multicultural centers by going beyond traditional approaches. The CPO integrates workforce development, basic needs support, community service learning, academic support, and a strong focus on engaging male students—an uncommon emphasis. It broadens perspectives by collaborating with international students and encouraging students to empathize with differing viewpoints. CPO students take pride in being Bruins, embodying the university’s values while holding the campus accountable to its promise of inclusivity and equity.

Through a comprehensive leadership program, students start as interns learning about campus structures, workforce topics, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) issues. They advance to operations and advisory roles, becoming campus-wide leaders supported by a largely UCLA alumni staff.

CPO alumni excel in higher education, business, engineering, law, medicine, and the non-profit sector. This workshop explores how the CPO develops inclusive and globally minded leaders.

Bridging the Gaps and Empowering Neurodivergent Students Across UCLA

Nadine Quinonez | CAPS, Rise Center | Covel West Coast

Support for neurodivergent students in higher education settings has lacked nationwide and UCLA has not been immune. To mitigate this barrier, campus leadership representatives at UCLA Dr. Suzanne Seplow and Dr. Nicole Presley (Green), along with neurodivergent student leaders of the Bruin Neurodiversity Collective (BNC) have worked collaboratively to identify supportive means. The Neurodiversity Empowerment Team (NET) Program was then developed to promote and maintain holistic wellbeing, resilience, and support for the neurodiverse student population, both diagnosed and undiagnosed.

Hospitalization for Students in Mental Health Crisis: The CORE Program Pilot

Kathleen Hoffman Lambird | CAPS | De Neve Plaza Room Salon B

Each year, dozens of our UCLA students experience psychiatric hospitalization.

Historically, CAPS has relied on campus law enforcement when our mental health clinicians determine a student needs to be hospitalized. This practice results in burden on police, increased stress for students/clients, increased stigma for mental health treatment, and even dissuasion from services.

Since February 2023, the CORE (COmpassionate REsponse) program at CAPS has successfully piloted new processes reducing police involvement and is continuing to innovate in responding to student crisis.

Rolling Out the Blue Carpet for New Student Affairs Professional Staff

Jenny Byrd, Brian MacDonald, Rachel Wong, Kayleigh MacPherson | Student Affairs Administration and Organizational Development | Carnesale Venice

Come celebrate the transitions of several recently-hired staff who found their place in our Student Affairs organization. Learn about the resources and best practices available to welcome new pro-staff team members, and reflect on how your own experiences in Student Affairs can provide inspiration and leadership to others.

Empowering Futures: Innovative Assistive Technology Solutions for Disabled Students

Tony Ferrari | Center for Accessible Education | Covel South Bay

This session explores the transformative role of assistive technology in enhancing accessibility and learning for disabled students at UCLA. Through a combination of innovative solutions and cutting-edge tools, UCLA is leading the way in providing personalized support that empowers students to succeed academically and socially. Participants will gain insights into how these technologies bridge gaps in education, foster inclusion, and promote independence for students with disabilities. Join us for an engaging discussion on how UCLA’s approach can inspire similar initiatives nationwide.

Using a Holistic Approach to Supporting UCLA Students with Dependents

Ishia Barajas, Nick Blake, Elisia Estrada | Bruin Resource Center, Case Management Services | Carnesale Hermosa

This session will explore the various systemic barriers to supporting UCLA’s students with dependents and the collaborations across campus, particularly between the Students with Dependents Office and Case Management Services, that are necessary to continue to support this population. This session will also discuss a collaborative institutional approach, cultivating a family-serving culture at UCLA.

It's Not About Power, It's Influence; Developing Influential Leadership Skills

Mick Deluca | Campus Life | Covel Grand Horizon Ballroom

At a time of great change in higher education, change in university leadership, incorporation of a multi-generational workforce, and changing needs of students, clarity of vision and leadership will be essential. You have heard the saying “Some people make things happen. Other people watch what happens. Still others wonder what happened.”

Leadership, in general, is about making things happen. Influential leadership goes a step farther: It makes a positive difference in organizations and in the lives of people
who serve and are served by the organization.

Camp Cozy: Building a Wellness Tradition

Wayne Nichols, Alea Orange | Residential Life, RISE Center | Covel North Ridge

Take a journey with Res Life and RISE through the 8 dimensions of wellness that inspired Camp Cozy, an event designed to support residents during the challenging transition into Winter Quarter. This program came from a critical question: How can we help residents navigate the demands of back-to-back quarters, and the post-holiday adjustment?

See how Camp Cozy emerged as a transformative approach to large-scale wellness programming; addressing residents' needs and redefining how wellness initiatives can make an impact within Residential Life and RISE while offering practical takeaways.

Laying the Foundation: Rebuilding Your Programs With Students at the Center

Judith Sandoval, Fatima Gonzalez | First To Go | De Neve Plaza Room Salon A

This academic year, our new First To Go staff took on the challenge of rebuilding the foundation of our program alongside our student leadership team. Our goals were to be student-centered down to our core and to get the buy-in of our student leaders. This session will show you how to incorporate your students or student leaders into the task of rebuilding your mission, values, goals, and/or the overall vision that guides your work.