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LPPI 2024-2025 Student End of Year Celebration & Graduation

On June 6, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) celebrated the achievements of the Policy Fellow Class of 2025 and student workers. This year, a total of 17 students completed their work with the institute for the academic year.

In her remarks, faculty director Amada Armenta said, “Ultimately, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish this work without the leadership and talent of our students. You make us so much better, and you make our work fun to do.”

Armenta closed her remarks by acknowledging the students’ invaluable contributions and highlighting how they help LPPI bridge academic research and policy impact to ensure Latino communities are uplifted and empowered through data-driven advocacy.

Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, policy fellows and students were vital in producing our research, including the Latino voter profile briefs, the Latino is Not a Race report, and the Automation Risks for California Workers report. They also led the development of toolkits for California small businesses and authored factsheets on California’s self-employed women and self-employed Latinas. 

Uriel Saldivar, graduating LPPI  mobilization Policy Fellow, giving remarks to his fellow student cohort and LPPI staff.

“We came together to this space because of the shared belief that the Latino experience matters and that mission is more critical today than ever,” said graduating UCLA Law mobilization fellow Uriel Saldivar. “Tonight, we’re not just graduating, each of you has become a stronger voice—one that our families and communities have been waiting for.”

Annamaria De La Torre, graduating communications Policy Fellow, speaking in front of her fellow student cohort and LPPI staff

 

“Being a part of this organization has changed the trajectory of my college career for the better, said Annamaria De La Torre, a communications fellow who graduated from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs. “The people I’ve met, the skills I’ve gained, and my experiences all contributed to making this collaborative, supportive, and uplifting workplace environment.”

Each member of the 2024-2025 cohort and LPPI student workers received two certificates of recognition, one from California District 51 Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur and one from Los Angeles City District 5 Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, for their impactful work while at the institute.