Hello! My name is Jasmine and I am a first year student pursuing mechanical engineering at UCLA. I chose UCLA not only because it has a great engineering program, but also because of the amazing weather, vibrant social life, and the CEED program. CEED has allowed me to meet some of my closest friends and to have a study group in all of my classes! As a first year, the summer Bridge program gave me confidence in my transition to college and helped me perform well in all of my classes. Being in CEED has also allowed me to connect with company representatives who were also in CEED, which highlights the strong alumni network and connections that this program provides for its students. I am very grateful for the resources CEED provides, and I don’t think I would have had such a positive first year experience if I didn’t join CEED. Plus there’s donuts every Friday!

My name is Renee-Randette Hlomador, and I am a first-generation Ghanaian-American Chemical Engineering major here at UCLA! It is my third year at UCLA, and I have loved my experience so far! I chose UCLA because the Chemical Engineering program at the Samueli School of Engineering was very enticing and academically rigorous. I was also excited about the faculty’s research in the department and couldn’t wait to immerse myself in the culture of academia. I was also very excited about exploring LA. The CEED program, definitely made me feel like I belonged here at UCLA. It offered me a community and served as an avenue to make me feel less isolated on this huge campus. I was introduced to students who had similar backgrounds to me and we have since bonded over our shared experiences. The CEED program has also offered me a multitude of professional development avenues, such as Corporate Round Table, Corporate Gamesmanship, etc. These events gave me the opportunity to talk to industry representatives. I have since developed my confidence, public speaking skills as well as my social and interpersonal skills. Through the CEED program, I was also introduced to UCLA’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). NSBE has served as my home away from home on the UCLA campus. It is an environment where I get to be socially, as well as academically challenged. The overwhelming sense of community present in NSBE is what inspired me to hold the position of NSBE’s Pre-Collegiate Initiative Chair. In this role, I am fortunate to be able to provide opportunities to students from underrepresented communities to experience what it is like to be a part of the NSBE family here at UCLA.

Hello, I’m from Oxnard, California and this is my second year (transfer) at UCLA studying electrical engineering. To be frank, UCLA’s reputation and school spirit is what stood out to me at first. I knew that UCLA offered more than just a strong engineering program, and I valued the social/extracurricular opportunities that exist on this campus. I chose UCLA because it seemed like the perfect balance between academic rigor, extracurricular involvement, and community building. CEED has had a positive influence on my UCLA career; it has provided me with a community of friends, professional development, and academic support. Being part of CEED put me in touch with students in the same major and classes, which led to a strong academic support network. Similarly, it connected me with student clubs, such as the Society of Latinx Engineers and Scientists (SOLES), where I have expanded my leadership skills by taking on board positions. CEED has also provided me with professional development with events like the Corporate Roundtable, which set you up with company recruiters to give you feedback on your resume and elevator pitch.

My name is Angel Reyes, I’m from Los Angeles, California. I am a transfer student from East Los Angeles community college and I am currently a 3rd year transfer mechanical engineer. UCLA was it was always on the top list of schools to go to for engineering. I remember taking a field trip when I was a child to campus and I always wondered what it would be like to attend this university and now, I’m living that dream. I transferred during the end of Covid so I wasn’t able to take a tour of the school, but after doing some online research I discovered that UCLA had so many engineering clubs with a lot of hands-on experience and that was a top priority for me. But what gave me the final push into accepting the UCLA offer was the CEED letter, believe it or not I was dead set on attending USC until I read the great opportunities and assistance that CEED offered. CEED has played a major role in shaping my career. Whenever I need help with my homework, the structured study nights are right around the corner and the tutors are such a big help. Not only that but when it came to my career, I was able to practice and enhance my communications skills with professionals in industries from their corporate roundhouse table, which helped me land my first internship after my first year at UCLA. Now I feel prepared and ready to answer any interview questions that recruiters throw my way.