This August we are highlighting Native Bruin Judith Kwanami Mitchell (Quechan), class of 2022. Judith Kwanami Mitchell is Quechan from the Fort Yuma Reservation in Winterhaven, California. She recently graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics with a specialization in computing. During her time at UCLA, Judy worked for the American Indian … Read more
This July we are highlighting Native Bruin Jack M. Tome, Jr. (Diné), class of 2021. Yá’át’ééh shí éí Jack M. Tome, Jr. yíníshyé’. Táchii’nii nishłį́, Hooghan łáni báshíshchíín, Tó’aheedlíinii dashicheii, Táchii’nii dashinálí. Jack M. Tome, Jr is Diné who was born and raised in Shiprock, New Mexico, where he currently resides. In 2019, Jack received … Read more
This June we are highlighting Native Bruin Mikaela Saelua (Sa Fiu and Sa Avegalio), class of 2013. Mikaela Saelua is the youngest child of Fiu John Saelua and Catherine Saelua, and a member of the Sa Fiu and Sa Avegalio clans. She was born and raised in her home village of Leone in American Samoa, … Read more
Native American Indigenous artist and UCLA alumna Mercedes Dorame will deliver the keynote address at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture’s 2022 commencement on Saturday, June 11th at 4 p.m. This will be the first commencement ceremony to be held in-person since 2019. Dorame is a member of the Tongva people, and her heritage … Read more
Native bruin – Past Present and Emerging This May we are highlighting Native Bruin James Riding In (Pawnee), class of 1985 and 1991. James Riding In retired from Arizona State University in May 2021. He received an A.A. degree in general education from Haskell Indian Junior College (now Haskell Indian Nations University, (1974), a baccalaureate … Read more
UCLA will offer students the opportunity to join a new Living Learning Community focused on the Native American and Pasifika student experience beginning in the fall. Sponsored by both the American Indian Student Association and the Pacific Islands’ Student Association, the American Indian and Pacific Islander LLC will be housed in the west half of … Read more
???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????: ????????????????, ???????????????????????????? & ???????????????????????????????? This April we are highlighting Native Bruin Megan Baker (Choctaw), who received her MA in AIS and will receive her PhD in Anthropology in 2023. Megan Baker is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma who received her MA in American Indian Studies in 2017. Based in Calera, … Read more
???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????: ????????????????, ???????????????????????????? & ???????????????????????????????????? This March we are highlighting Native Bruin Drew Alan Preston (Navajo), from the class of 2010. Doctor Preston is a Dentist Anesthesiologist who serves the Central and Southern California areas. Dr. Preston graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Cell and Developmental Biology from the University … Read more
This February we are highlighting Native Bruin Mattie Kamahana Bassey. Mattie Kamahana Bassey graduated from UCLA in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in American Indian Studies. She is Kanaka Maoli and Japanese on her mother’s side and Cherokee, German, Irish, and Scottish on her father’s side. During her time at UCLA, … Read more
Happy New Year! This January we are highlighting Native Bruin Jesse Johnson (Kumeyaay) from the San Pasqual Reservation. Jesse Meswiir Johnson is Kumeyaay from the San Pasqual Reservation and currently a fourth-year student at UCLA majoring in human biology and society. During his time at UCLA, he has served as one of the chairpersons for … Read more