UCLA offers a warm welcome to the new Latinx Success Center, or LSC, located in De Neve Birch. UCLA has officially achieved its goal of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution, or HSI, as Latino/a undergraduate students constitute 24% of the student body. This goal was set in motion under the leadership of Chancellor Gene Block, who announced in 2020 UCLA’s commitment to achieving HSI designation by 2025. To fulfill this promise, active steps were taken to establish a resource center dedicated to enhancing Hispanic support at the university and providing avenues for students to flourish. By February 2024, a $3 million donation was made to establish the center.
LSC serves as the nucleus of the Hispanic experience on campus, supporting first-generation students navigating higher education in an institution actively working to transform its demographics. The center serves to elevate academic achievement and strengthen career, graduate and professional pathways for UCLA students. It supports student success through academic resources like grant-sponsored initiatives, mentorship programs and an online hub of faculty, providing students with accessible guidance and a sense of empowerment.
Photographed by Sapna Drew/BruinLife.
On March 31, UCLA held an unveiling celebration featuring a mariachi band, symbolizing a new beginning for current and future Hispanic Bruins. Beginning April 1, the center will be open from Monday through Friday. Elizabeth Orozco, a fourth-year Latinx psychology student, said, “I believe the Latinx Success Center will not only provide a space for students to connect, but also a safe space that represents a home . . . Studying on campus can be quite intimidating; however, being in an environment where people look like you creates a relaxing atmosphere.”
While primarily focused on supporting minority groups on campus, the center welcomes all Bruins students, generously inviting transfers, first-generation students and those navigating the complexities of a rigorous university. LSC volunteer Juliana Avila, a third-year transfer psychology student minoring in Chicano/a studies, noted the overwhelming support, “Students love it, and they feel comfortable. Transfers and out-of-state students feel safe and excited for all the academic counselors coming their way.”
Orozco further highlights the challenges minorities face at prestigious institutions, “Being a Latina at UCLA has been difficult. At times, I feel out of place. Despite these obstacles, I am breaking barriers and setting forth an example for others like me to face the higher education system with confidence.” Despite her initial uncertainty about UCLA, Orozco gradually involved herself in organizations central to her identity. “My friends encouraged me to join the Central American Organization [Unión Centroamericana de Estudiantes, or UNICA]. Additionally, during my first year, I tried to join a Latinx-based group. I find that other Central Americans have been an integral part of my experience at UCLA, because I felt more included.”
This center seeks to further affirm the Hispanic identity, offering students a sense of cultural pride and visibility on campus. LSC is yet another step in UCLA’s commitment to embracing talented, educated and innovative students from all walks of life. Orozco said, “This space is long overdue. The Latinx Center will encourage prospective students to choose UCLA, knowing there’s a dedicated space that celebrates the Latinx community.”
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Featured Image: UCLA’s new Latinx Success Center, located in De Neve Birch Lounge 1, is an excellent study space for students. Photographed by Sapna Drew/BruinLife.
