The Black Bruin Resource Center, or the BBRC, at UCLA is a space designated for students to socialize, focus on academic pursuits and access career and leadership development resources. The center, located in Kerckhoff Hall room 168, provides students with access to community-based support and frequently works with Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, and the Resilience in Your Student Experience Center, or RISE, to bring resources directly to students.
The center employs many UCLA students to help the office operate smoothly while contributing to a sense of community and leadership on campus. Joanna Gaudet, a fourth-year psychology student and employee of the BBRC, said “the community that we have here” has had the biggest impact on her and many students.
For incoming students in the 2026 admissions cycle, finding community and forming friendships in a new environment can be challenging. One way students build connections is through campus employment. Gaudet’s responsibilities include restocking the pantry, cleaning communal spaces and setting up music and other entertainment for visitors. She said that when she first began visiting the center during her sophomore year, it felt like a “very welcoming space that made me feel at home.” She described that sense of belonging as one of the main reasons she began working there and said her role has made her “UCLA experience even better.”
As a center focused on student engagement and development, the BBRC provides opportunities and consistent resources for students. Gaudet described initiatives she has participated in, including visits from CAPS counselors, case counselors and career counselors who offer free drop-in support. The center also hosts workshops focused on prelaw, premed and business.
According to Gaudet, mental health initiatives are a primary focus, with an emphasis on well-being. The center holds a monthly mental health awareness event, including de-stress activities, creative wellness events and workshops where CAPS and RISE representatives provide in-person guidance. In addition to professional and personal development programming, the center hosts social events, including the BBRC CookOut, which takes place at the beginning and end of each school year.
The center serves as a space for students to build relationships regardless of major, academic year or background. For students seeking community and access to UCLA resources, the BBRC provides a space for connection and growth.
