Dear admitted and prospective students, 

Welcome to my blog! My name is Satema (pronouns she/her/hers). I am a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a major in Education and Social Transformation and a minor in American Indian Studies. My tribal affiliation is Apache and my hometown is Visalia (Wukchumni territory), which is located in California’s San Joaquin Central Valley. On campus I am a part of the Bruin Ambassador Program (BAP), the College Scholars Program, the American Indian Student Association (AISA), and the UCLA McNair Research Scholars Program. My career goals include earning my MD and PhD degrees to provide culturally competent care to my community while empowering the next generation of scholars to continue advocating for quality healthcare for all. 

My favorite aspects of my UCLA experience include having the opportunity to further develop leadership skills and build community with peers across campus. For example, through my involvement in the UCLA Chancellor’s Leadership, Innovation, Networking, and Knowledge (LINK) Program I was able to travel to Washington, D.C. in January with a cohort of 20 student leaders and university leadership, including Chancellor Block. For the week-long experiential learning trip LINK students are housed at the University of California Washington Center (UCDC). During the trip my peers and I visited national museums and historic sites, met with leaders in public policy and government, and participated in Financial Aid Advocacy Day with Congressional staffers. Following the D.C. trip LINK students enroll in a two-unit leadership course during winter and spring quarters. The LINK Program culminates in a summer internship in which students actively apply the leadership and community organizing skills learned from the program within their respective communities. 

Another highlight of my student experience was participating in the first Latine Lobby Day led by the University of California Student Association (UCSA) in February. For Latine Lobby Day student delegates gathered from across the UC campuses to advocate on behalf of our communities at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. During Latine Lobby Day my peers and I met Latino Caucus members and lobbied among California State Assembly Members. Prior to the event, UCLA’s Undergraduate Students Association Council’s (USAC) Office of the External Vice President (EVP) hosted a Student Lobby Corp training to ensure that students from all majors and different levels of experience with lobbying could learn how to effectively advocate as a team. 

The last experience that I would like to share about is attending the UCLA South Bay Leadership Academy. This past summer, campus leadership and student activists gathered at the new South Bay campus to participate in team building activities with an emphasis placed on engaging in dialogue across differences. After completing the program my peers and I joined a focus group to share feedback as student leaders regarding what we would like to see implemented at UCLA South Bay in the future.  

At UCLA there are a vast amount of opportunities awaiting you. Bruins are leaders who seek to create positive change within our society and I truly appreciate the amazing hands-on learning opportunities that UCLA offers to students. We are very excited to welcome you to our community! Go Bruins! 

Sincerely, 

Satema