About AMPPS: The Association of Master of Public Policy Students (AMPPS) is a student organization representing and advocating for the interests of public policy students. Every student is a member of AMPPS and is invited to attend AMPPS events and meetings. Each year, AMPPS executes events such as quarterly town hall meetings, a winter holiday party, a spring “prom” with the School of Public Affairs, a department graduation celebration, and the composition of a memo to the department from the first year class.

About PPDE (Policy Professionals for Diversity and Equity) is committed to cultivating future policy makers who reflect California’s and the nation’s increasingly diverse communities.   We believe that the experiences that come from members of underrepresented communities enrich the public policy decision making process and broaden the perspectives and discussions that occur in public policy.

PPDE believes that the underrepresentation of various communities in the public policy field is a large concern as California and the nation become increasingly diverse.  Decision makers need reliable information about how to serve these communities who’s needs may not currently be represented through traditional civic engagement routes, or who may face barriers to
but who now represent.

To that end, PPDE’s mission is to provide a forum for students and alumni of color and their allies to advocate for diversity and equity within the Masters of Public Policy program at UCLA through the following five goals:

1. Outreach: Lead annual outreach strategies in collaboration with faculty and staff to increase the diversity of future MPP cohorts to reflect California’s diverse communities.
2. Advocacy: Represent student concerns in School of Public Affairs diversity efforts, including increasing the diversity of students and faculty.
3. Retention: Provide peer support networks for current students of color.
4. Professional Networking: Connect MPP students and alums that promote issues of diversity and equity in their careers.
5. Awareness: Promote policy issues related to diversity, equity, and social justice at UCLA, and build bridges between campus and the diverse communities in Los Angeles.

PPDE is open to all UCLA MPP students and alumni at UCLA.  We invite you to join us to ensure diversity and equity in UCLA’s MPP program!