Alums won’t leave UCLA

Just because students have graduated from UCLA does not mean they are prepared to leave behind their ties to the university.

Many graduates will continue their involvement in UCLA groups even though they are now alumni.

Ashley Hernandez, a recent alumna, was the program coordinator for Unicamp Mentorship, a volunteer student mentor program, this year.

The mentorship program serves kids who live in federally subsidized apartments in North Hollywood, she said.

Having graduated in the recent ceremonies, Hernandez will nonetheless return to be the Unicamp program director for the 2008-2009 year.

Not only will she continue to volunteer with a UCLA student group, but she will work full-time on campus at the Corinne A. Seeds University Elementary School, she said.

Hernandez’s passion for mentoring with Unicamp led her to continue volunteering with the program and to working nearby, even though her UCLA coursework has ended.

“I fell in love with the program, the kids and the community we work with,” she said.

Hernandez also decided to return to volunteer with Unicamp for another year because it is closely related to the type of career she wants to pursue in the future.

“I want to work with nonprofits targeting early childhood education, literacy and youth mentoring,” she said.

Julie Paholio, another recent alumna, has also chosen to return to UCLA.

Paholio was involved in the Samahang Pilipino student organization and a chorale group during her time at UCLA.

“A lot of alumni have come and helped (with the organizations I am involved with), and I feel like it is my responsibility to do the same, by offering my skills to future generations,” Paholio said.

A major event that Samahang alumni have been involved with in the past is Pilipino Cultural Night, Paholio said.

Pilipino Cultural Night is an expression of Pilipino culture and identity dedicated to the Pilipino community.

This year, four alumni helped to plan and execute the performance, and several returned to watch, Paholio said.

Paholio, who was last year’s assistant producer of the cultural night, plans to return to provide any help that she can.

Another recent alumnus, Ruben Garcia, plants to return to participate in Alumni Association events.

Garcia, a sociology student and Student Alumni Association member, plans to host a Dinner for 12 Strangers, attend Spring Sing, and attend Blue and Gold Week.

Garcia wants to stay as connected to UCLA as possible because as an SAA member, he said he knows from an insider’s perspective that SAA depends on alumni to have successful programs.

Kristy Peterson, Student Relations senior manager of the Alumni Association, spoke of students like Ruben Garcia who have been involved with the Alumni Association during their time at UCLA.

Alumni events, including social, career-related and philanthropic events, are organized by recent graduates for graduated students, she said.

Garcia said even after graduation, UCLA students should not be afraid to come back to campus, because they are still part of UCLA.