who we are

Our Mission & Vision

Since 1934, our mission has been to enrich the lives of alumni and offer ways to engage you in UCLA’s future.

We’re your UCLA Alumni Association

A world-class university like UCLA offers a tremendous breadth of services and opportunities to a diverse population. The UCLA Alumni Association exists as a conduit, a resource, and an advocate to advance the interests of UCLA and its nearly half a million living alumni, including you.

We serve as a vital partner in the success of the University by engaging and connecting its alumni, students, their parents and family members. As a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization, the Association offers scholarships, career programming, lifelong learning opportunities, and connects alumni with Bruin networks worldwide.

Wherever you are in life or the world, your Alumni Association is your bridge back to UCLA.

Contact Us

Located at the center of UCLA Campus, James West Alumni Center opens 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

Email

General: alumni@alumni.ucla.edu

Update Your Info: alumni@alumni.ucla.edu

Alumni Travel: travel@alumni.ucla.edu

Alumni Scholarships: AlumniScholarships@support.ucla.edu

Facility Reservation: reservation@alumni.ucla.edu

Phone and Fax

Phone: 310-825-2586
Toll free: 800-825-2586
Fax: 310-825-8678
Secure Travel Fax: 310-209-4271

Mailing Address

UCLA Alumni Association
James West Alumni Center
Box 951397

frequently asked questions

1. About the UCLA Alumni Association

What is the UCLA Alumni Association?

The UCLA Alumni Association exists as a conduit, a resource and an advocate to advance the interests of UCLA and its nearly half-a-million living alumni. We serve as a vital partner in the success of the University through the significant engagement of alumni, students, parents and members. As a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization, the Association offers scholarships, career programming, lifelong learning opportunities and connects alumni with Bruin networks worldwide. Wherever you are in life or the world, your Alumni Association provides the bridge back to UCLA.

Who is considered a UCLA alum? 

Anybody who graduated from UCLA is considered an alum. UCLA Extension, Medical Fellows, UCLA Engineering and UCLA Anderson programs are all considered graduates of UCLA.

How does the Alumni Association support all Bruins across life stages?

Is a membership needed to be part of the Alumni Association?

A membership is not needed to be part of the Alumni Association, as long as you have graduated from UCLA you are an automatic member. If you previously purchased a membership such as Blue, Gold, and Life, you are grandfathered into our memberships.

2. Alumni Pathways & Engagement Opportunities

What opportunities help Bruins navigate career or life transitions?

How can alumni build leadership, skills, and networks?

How can alumni support students, families, and the UCLA community?

What opportunities exist for Bruins returning after time away?

What resources help Bruins find community, mentorship, or affinity connections?

How can families, parents, and supporters engage with UCLA?

3. Events & Community Connection

How can I build community with fellow Bruins?

What types of events does the Alumni Association offer?

How do I find regional networks or clubs?

How can I start receiving email/ mail in my area?

What identity-based alumni communities exist?

Are events open to families and guests?

What travel programs or group trips does UCLA offer for alumni?

4. Career & Professional Development

What career resources are available to alumni?

UCLA ONE (Opportunity, Network, Experience) actively connects over 40,600 Bruins in 160 fields and industries through our free online professional community. You can network with professionals by industry or location, receive or offer mentorship, and reconnect with classmates and colleagues. Also, Our Alumni Career Engagement page offers a curated list of resources and programs all aimed at empowering your success. Check out relevant professional development webinars, watch past episodes of our Bruin Career Insights series or gain insider knowledge through our Bruin Success podcast.  Adding to this, Our regional networks offer virtual networking opportunities, career panels and other events and programming to bring Bruins near you together, whether in person or virtually. 

How can I access coaching, workshops, or professional tools?
You could go ahead and access coaching, workshops or professional tools through our Alumni Website. 

Do alumni have access to UCLA Career Center services?

5. Digital Tools & Staying Connected

How do I update my contact or profile information?

How can we access our digital membership card?

What is UCLA ONE and how do I use it?

How can UCLA ONE help me find community, mentors, or career support?

How do I subscribe to alumni communications?

Where can I read Bruin stories or alumni news?

How do I submit or view Class Notes?

Thank you for reaching out to the UCLA Alumni Association to share the great news! You can share your message to our Class Notes team, classnotes@support.ucla.edu, who can highlight your achievement on our class notes page, which can be found here: https://alumni.ucla.edu/class-notes/. We extend our congratulations on this big step in your career.

Where can I find alumni features, profiles, or articles?

Does UCLA publish updates about Bruins making an impact?

6. Volunteering & Mentorship

How can I volunteer with the Alumni Association?

What mentorship opportunities are available?

Can I volunteer remotely?

7. Giving, Support & Philanthropy

How can alumni give back to UCLA?

What is the Alumni Support Fund?

Can I contribute to scholarships or student support?

8. Business Partnerships & Sponsorships

How do businesses partner with the Alumni Association?

What sponsorship opportunities are available?

How do corporate partnerships benefit Bruins and the campus?

9. Using the UCLA Alumni Center (Venue Rental)

Can I rent the UCLA Alumni Center for an event?

What types of events does the venue support?

What amenities or services are included?

How do I check pricing and availability?

10. Leadership, Strategy & Impact

Who leads the UCLA Alumni Association?

How does the Alumni Association share its impact with the community?

How can alumni get involved in shaping the future of UCLA’s alumni community?

Cinthia Flores ’10

President-Elect

Story of Purpose

Cinthia Flores ’10

President-Elect

Cinthia Flores was appointed in 2020 by California Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as a Board Member of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board. She is a quasi-judicial officer, adjudicating claims arising from state labor law. Prior to her appointment, she practiced immigration law, with a focus on defending individuals from deportation at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). Cinthia is Past President of the Latina Lawyers Bar Association, an organization dedicated to supporting Latinas in the legal profession. In 2022, the Hispanic National Bar Association recognized Cinthia as a “Top Lawyer Under 40.” Cinthia is President and founding Board Member of Latinas Lead CA, a political action committee dedicated to supporting Latinas pursuing elected and appointed office. Cinthia has a long history of service to UCLA and the University of California. During her senior year at UCLA, she served as Student Body President, the first Latina to hold the position. Cinthia is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine School of Law. During law school, Cinthia served as Student Regent on the University of California Board of Regents. In 2021, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the UCLA Academic Advancement Program. Cinthia was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and is the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants.

Paco Retana ’87, M.S.W. ’90

President

Story of Purpose

Paco Retana ’87, M.S.W. ’90

President

For nearly 35 years, Paco Retana has been serving the vulnerable youth and marginalized communities in Los Angeles. As a recognized mental health expert and Chief Program Officer at Wellnest, he is responsible for all clinical programs, including strategic planning, program evaluation and training in support of Wellnest’s mission through a holistic approach to emotional well-being. Wellnest offers hope, healing and opportunity to the children, young adults, families and communities they serve. Their commitment remains steadfast as they enter their second century of service. Under Paco’s leadership, Wellnest provides quality mental health services, promotes early intervention and ensures easy access for a community in great need by initiating and implementing program changes to meet new funding streams for innovative prevention programs. Additionally, Paco has served as a consultant for numerous community organizations, educational institutions, and foundations including the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, First 5 LA, Watts Gang Task Force, Green Dot Public Schools, the Santa Ana Unified School District, and The California Endowment Sons and Brothers initiative providing professional development training, psychological and facilitation services, counseling, education and crisis intervention. Paco is the former co-chair of the Latino Underserved Cultural Communities for DMH, he is a former voting member of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) System Leadership Team, and former co-chair of the Service Area Advisory Committee for South Los Angeles. Paco serves on the UCLA Order of the Blue Shield and as a Luskin Senior Fellow. He is also a UCLA Alumni Association Sustaining Donor. Paco is the recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice and an Honoree of NAMI Urban Los Angeles. Paco earned a bachelor’s in psychology and a master in social work from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.  He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Connect with Paco on UCLA ONE.

Yolanda Gorman B.A. ’78, MBA ’83, Ph.D. ’93

Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Alumni Affairs

Story of Purpose

Yolanda Gorman B.A. ’78, MBA ’83, Ph.D. ’93

Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Alumni Affairs

On July 7, 2025, Yolanda Gorman B.A. ‘78, M.B.A. ’83, Ph.D. ’93, stepped into the interim role of Associate Vice Chancellor, Alumni Affairs and Advancement Services, and CFO and COO of the UCLA Foundation and the UCLA Investment Company. She has served the University in a variety of capacities, including nine years of distinguished service as chief of staff and senior advisor to the Chancellor. As a proud triple Bruin, she was the first African American woman to serve as president of the UCLA Alumni Association (2006-2008), was a member of The UCLA Foundation Board, and is a two-time Alumni Regent Emerita for the UC Board of Regents. Prior to her UCLA tenure, Yolanda founded a consulting firm specializing in nonprofit management. She then began her career in academia at Phillips Graduate University, rising from department chair, to dean, and ultimately president and CEO. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, an MBA and a Ph.D. in educational psychology.

board volunteer opportunities

Since 1934, the UCLA Alumni Association’s mission has been to enrich the lives of alumni and offer ways to engage in UCLA’s future. With connection to more than 685,000 alumni across the globe, the Association serves as a hub for engagement,  networking and opportunities to give back – helping Bruins support and inspire one another.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors partners with the Alumni Association to advance its mission of engaging alumni and involving them in UCLA’s future. Board members serve as volunteer leaders who provide strategic guidance and leverage expertise, champion alumni programs and initiatives, and act as ambassadors at alumni events. Through collaboration and advocacy, the Board drives innovation, helps enhance alumni engagement, and supports efforts that strengthen the Bruin community. Serving on the Board is an opportunity to give back, build connections, and make a lasting impact on generations of Bruins.

The application period has closed for  2026-2027 director volunteer leadership positions on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Following the review process by the Governance and Nominations Committee, select candidates will be invited for an interview to be scheduled on Sunday, April 26 (please ensure your availability on this date if selected for an interview). After interviews, recommended candidates will be forwarded to the Alumni Board for election in June 2026.

Applicants must be UCLA degree or certificate holders to be eligible for Alumni Board service. Preferred qualities and experience:

• Commitment to advancing the UCLA Alumni Association’s mission; willingness and ability to foster relationships and contribute to an inclusive and collaborative environment; capacity to think strategically and listen thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; and an open minded, curious approach that welcomes new ideas and innovative solutions.
• Engagement and familiarity with UCLA Alumni Association programming and events; service on other boards, networks, or advisory groups (preferably at UCLA); desire to stay connected with and support the UCLA community locally or across regions.

Please review Frequently Asked Questions for more information about qualifications and service requirements of Directors. Thank you for supporting UCLA and your interest to serve on the UCLA Alumni Association!