UCLA Native American and Pacific Islander Bruins Rising Initiative

Launched in June 2022, the UCLA Native American and Pacific Islander Bruins Rising Initiative aims to expand access to UCLA for members of these groups as well as support their success and well-being on our campus. The initiative has three main components: enhancing UCLA’s intellectual community devoted to Native American and Pacific Islander peoples, supporting inclusive and equitable student experiences, and providing meaningful support for Native American and Pacific Islander staff.

The Native American and Pacific Islander Bruins Rising Initiative

Implementation Committee Members

  • Joseph Berra, EDI Special Liaison; Human Rights in the Americas Project Director, Promise Institute for Human Rights, UCLA School of Law
  • Gary Clark Jr., Interim Vice Provost, UCLA Enrollment Management
  • Mick Deluca, Assistant Vice Chancellor, UCLA Campus Life
  • Eric Greene, Associate Director for Diversity and Campus Climate, UCLA Communication
  • Lubbe Levin, Associate Vice Chancellor, UCLA Campus Human Resources
  • Josh Lyda, Retention of American Indians Now! (RAIN!) Project Coordinator
  • Natalie Masuoka, Associate Professor, UCLA Political Science; Associate Professor and Chair, UCLA Asian American Studies
  • Joanna Romana, Manager, Talent Acquisition, UCLA Health
  • Rey Soto, MWCCS Data Manager at Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health

Updates

 

This UCLA EDI Action Group was established as a collaboration between the UCLA American Indian and UCLA Pacific Islander communities and the UCLA Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to develop a comprehensive AI/PI Initiative to ensure an equitable and inclusive environment throughout UCLA for Pacific Islander and American Indian students, faculty, and staff.

Participation in the American Indian and Pacific Islander x EDI Action Group at UCLA

 

Co-Chairs:

  • Joseph Berra, EDI Special Liaison
  • Josh Lyda, Retention of American Indians Now! (RAIN!) Project Coordinator
  • Rey Soto, MWCCS Data Manager at Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health

Staff Action Team:

  • Randy Akee, Chair American Indian Studies Inter-Departmental Program, Faculty Luskin School of Public Policy
  • Johnathan Perkins, Director for Race and Equity
  • Rey Soto, MWCCS Data Manager Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health
  • Meg Thornton, Student and Community Engagement Coordinator, Asian American Studies Center

Faculty Action Team:

  • Mishuana Goeman, Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Native American and Indigenous Affairs, Faculty Gender Studies
  • Brandie Kirkpatrick, Director of The Faculty Search Process & Diversity Programs
  • Natalie Masuoka, Chair Asian American Studies Department, Faculty Political Science
  • Shannon Speed, Director American Indian Studies Center, Faculty Anthropology and Gender Studies
  • Karen Umemoto, Director Asian American Studies Center, Faculty Luskin School of Public Policy

Student Action Team:

  • Sunia ‘Akaveka, External Vice President, Pacific Islands’ Student Association (PISA)
  • Desirae Barragan, Co-Chair, American Indian Student Association (AISA)
  • Keith Camacho, Faculty Asian American Studies
  • Perzianee Devoux, President, Pacific Islands’ Student Association (PISA), 2022-2023
  • Ellen Harju, Co-President, American Indian Alumni of UCLA
  • Kris Kaupalolo, Associate Director, Student Organizations, Leadership and Engagement
  • Anyssa Llerena-Tobin, EDI Student Initiatives Lead
  • Josh Lyda, Retention of American Indians Now! (RAIN!) Project Coordinator
  • Malia ‘Otuhiva, Internal Vice President, Pacific Islands’ Student Association (PISA)
  • Camryn Redmond, Social Media Chair, American Indian Student Association (AISA)
  • Melody Satele, President, Pacific Islands’ Student Association (PISA), 2021-2022
  • Phil Timoteo, President, Pacific Islands’ Student Association (PISA), 2020-2021
  • Anna Tingin, Outreach Coordinator, American Indian Student Association (AISA)
  • Melissa Veluz-Abraham, Advisor for Student Organizations, Leadership and Engagement (SOLE)
  • Avory Wyatt, Co-President American Indian Graduate Student Association (AIGSA)