Marking a significant achievement, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute held a ceremony to celebrate the graduating Policy Fellow Class of 2024. 

On May 31, the UCLA LPPI celebrated the graduation of 15 exceptional undergraduate and graduate Policy Fellows, part of the 2023-2024 cohort. This group of Fellows supported all aspects of the organization.

Since its formal launch in 2020, the Policy Fellowship program has expanded from just a few students to 23 students this academic year, demonstrating the growing impact of the institute’s work.

“I know that for many of the staff here, working with students is the most meaningful part of the work,” said associate faculty director Amada Armenta. “LPPI is a fast-paced environment and everything that we do would not be possible without the work of our Policy Fellows”

Over the course of the academic year, Policy Fellows led impactful research, such as the Latinos in Fresno County brief, and were instrumental in launching the Latino Data Hub, a digital platform designed to change how leaders understand and support Latino communities in the United States. Additionally, Policy Fellows spearheaded the development of fact sheets that provide a detailed analysis of about Latino-owned businesses in California, Texas, and Arizona. These fact sheets offer an in-depth look at the condition of all Latino-owned employer businesses in these states during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May 2024, they actively engaged with legislative offices in Sacramento as part of mobilization and advocacy efforts. These experiences, coupled with tailored professional development workshops, have provided them with hands-on learning opportunities and have further honed their skills

“Four years ago, the world faced a global pandemic that challenged us in many ways we could have never imagined. It tested our resolve and reshaped our perspective,” said graduating policy fellow Aimee Benitez. “But amidst the chaos, we became pioneers of resilience, and now together, we can build a future marked by empathy and innovation.”

To end the ceremony, graduates were offered advice on navigating power dynamics and oppression in leadership roles where they may be the only representative of their identity. They were encouraged to rely on support networks to create a better world. 

“Everyone here is unbelievably skilled and talented,” said deputy director Lila Burgos. “Take up that space. Take up space with your identities, cultures, experiences and ideas. Don’t let others make you feel small. Lean on your community, lean on your family.”