1234

The Diversity, Disparities, and Difference (D3) Initiative at UCLA Luskin launched in 2014 by former Dean Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. as part of UCLA’s effort to build a more equitable environment on campus. The D3 Initiative aims to create a cohesive strategy to bridge differences, understand our diverse society, and confront disparities in the field of public affairs.

The D3 Initiative aims to:

  • Enhance student admissions and faculty searches by championing more diverse applicant pools;
  • Institutionalize programming that offers a critical understanding of social inequity while establishing connections with the greater community;
  • Strengthen student collaboration and cohort interaction for a more inclusive school climate.

Programs & Opportunities

Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. Social Justice Awards

Created in honor of Dean Emeritus Frank Gilliam, this award recognizes student scholarship in social justice and inequality. Student projects must address issues of economic, social or racial injustice. This award was made possible by generous contributions from the School’s board of advisers, UCLA faculty, staff and alumni.

Learn more about past award honorees and their projects here.

Applications will open Fall 2024.

Diversity Development Grants

UCLA Luskin offers support for student-led diversity programming and events. Past funding has been provided for workshops, forums, conferences and outreach that focuses on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Apply for a Diversity Development Grant (DDG) here.

Applications for the 2024 – 2025 academic year will open this fall.

Equity in Public Affairs Training

Tuesday, September 24 at 10:30AM

PURPOSE: Provide training on equity, diversity, and inclusion for incoming students at the start of the new school year. D3 Project Managers collaborate with professional facilitators and speakers to lead presentations, workshops and guided discussions on how issues such as racism, sexism, and privilege impact our world view.

TOPIC: The focus of EPA this year will be the application of effective dialogue skills as they pertain to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

LPPI Policy Fellowship

The LPPI Policy Fellowship is a paid, part-time work experience that runs through the academic year. Fellows work within one of LPPI’s departments, contributing to team projects while learning under the supervision and mentorship of full-time staff and affiliated faculty experts. In addition to hands-on, experiential learning, Fellows participate in professional development activities that expose them to Latinx policy experts, connect them to relevant academic and career resources, and provide targeted skill-building to accelerate their own leadership trajectories. Learn more about the program here.

Diversity FAQS

UCLA Luskin incorporates the best practices in scholarship, research, and teaching in the fields of social work, urban and regional planning, and policy making. The unique intersection of these disciplines within one school allows for academic cross-collaboration and a graduate education that values diverse perspectives at the macro- and micro- organizational levels.

We believe it is critical to view the practice of public affairs through the lens of social inequality and democracy to truly effect positive social change. Whether in our teaching, our research, or our community service, the greater public good underscores everything we do as a school and what we hope to achieve as practitioners.

At UCLA Luskin, our curriculum is infused with a probing analysis of the roots and branches of inequality—at home and abroad—and our students embrace their roles as agents of positive change.

Diversity is a core value of UCLA. It enables us to provide the kind of broad, enriching educational experience for which the university has long been known.

Because we are a public institution, our students, faculty and staff must reflect the broad diversity of the state of California. We take great pride in the many backgrounds represented on our campus.

Start your application for

At UCLA, the Faculty Search Committee is experimenting with a “flipped classroom” approach. All faculty search briefings will have two primary components:

(1) a seven-part animated video series on implicit bias (roughly 30 minutes total, to be viewed on your own time before the briefing);

(2) an in-class training that explores evidence-based tools and techniques that promote equitable and inclusive hiring.

EDI Syllabus for Faculty

Read the Public Accountability Report, released by the Office of the Vice Chancellor—Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Explore a variety of campus statistics, including

  • Mission Statement
    • Build an equal learning and working environment, by holding ourselves accountable to our professed ideals.
  •  The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion works to:
    • Provide clear information, prompt responses, and informed analyses;
    • Convene dialogues and gatherings;
    • Investigate complaints of discrimination and sexual violence;
    • Provide training and professional development for students, faculty, and staff;
    • Research, test, and implement practices and policies that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, and;
    • Advise, collaborate, and coordinate with campus leadership, Equity Advisors, student leaders, and staff.
  • Contact information:
    • UCLA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • 2255 Murphy Hall, Box 951405, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1405
    • (310) 825-3935
  • Explore UC and UCLA policies relevant to equity, diversity, and inclusion here.

Student Affairs Programs and Resources

  • Bruin Resource Center
    • The BRC serves all UCLA students, with a particular focus on current and former foster youth, students with dependents, students in recovery, student veterans, transfer students, and undocumented students. The BRC also offers programs that promote holistic development and education of the student and the larger campus community.
  • Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Campus Resource Center
    • The UCLA LGBT Campus Resource Center provides a comprehensive range of education and advocacy services supporting intersectional identity development as well as fostering unity, wellness, and an open, safe, and inclusive environment for UCLA’s LGBTQ community.
  • Dashew Center for International Students
    • UCLA is home for more than 12,000 international students and scholars away from home. The Dashew Center is the place where domestic and international students and scholars meet. They enhance the UCLA experience for international students and scholars with our multicultural programs and services. The center assists UCLA academic departments with visa services, and serve sas a resource and learning center for the entire UCLA community to promote global connection, international understanding and cultural sensitivity.
  • Office for Students with Disabilities
    • Our accommodations are designed to meet the unique educational needs of regularly enrolled UCLA students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities.  The Center for Accessible Education is committed to adding value to the UCLA community by
      • Facilitating access to services that contribute to positive student outcomes
      • Fostering an atmosphere of shared responsibility in providing accommodations
      • Promoting an atmosphere of respect and inclusion
  • Community Programs Office
    • The UCLA Community Programs Office serves as an umbrella department for the Student Initiated Outreach Center, Student Retention Center, and twenty five student-initiated community service projects.The CPO strives to increase students from underserved communities’ access to higher education, retention in the university, and graduation rates while also serving as a conscious effort in the community, working toward the empowerment of all people
  • Counseling and Psychological Services
    • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a multidisciplinary student mental health center for the UCLA campus. CAPS supports the academic and student development missions of the University and the Division of Student Affairs.  Their services are designed to foster the development of healthy well-being necessary for success in a complex global environment.
  • ADA/504 Compliance Office
    • The UCLA Chancellor’s 504 Compliance Office (since 1992 the Chancellor’s ADA & 504 Compliance Office) was created in 1986 by Chancellor Charles Young. Its continuing mission is to (1) coordinate and monitor campus compliance with requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; (2) provide guidance and evaluate efforts to improve access to campus facilities and programs; (3) develop procedures to identify and correct access deficiencies.
  • Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center
    • The Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center (The Ashe Center) is devoted to providing quality, accessible, state-of-the-art healthcare and education to support the unique development of UCLA students. Their comprehensive services include Primary Care, Women’s Health, Immunizations, Travel Medicine, Physical Therapy, Specialty Clinics, Optometry, Acupuncture and Massage
  • Asian/ Pacific Islander (API) Student Caucus
    • The API Caucus strives to bring awareness to the social issues faced by the diverse communities represented in the Asian (American) Pacific Islander population. These issues include, and are not limited to APIs in mental health, immigration, education, and so forth.
  • Black Caucus
    • The Social Welfare Black Caucus is a student organization established to serve as a network of support for African American students and all interested students in the Department of Social Welfare located in the School of Public Policy building. The Black Caucus will act as a service oriented resource, providing both information and a forum where all students can dialog about social welfare issues as they pertain to the Black community.
  • Christian Caucus
    • The UCLA MSW Christian Caucus holds a commitment to represent Christ through education, community, and service. Our aim is to glorify God through our words and actions as a caucus. We plan to meet through- out the year for bible study, prayer meetings and social gatherings, as well as present events focused on religion in social work
  • Dialogue Facilitation Caucus
    • This group was born out of student efforts to enhance their inter-group dialogue facilitation skills. Inter- group dialogue facilitation skills are tools that can be utilized to increase the communication, efficacy, and feelings of safety during discussions around privilege, race, religion, ability, gender, sexuality, and other points of orientation.
  • Disability Caucus
    • The goal of the Disability Caucus is to increase awareness of issues and concerns that affect the disabled population. Our mission is to support and encourage students with a disability to obtain their educational goals, as well as to promote and implement activities/projects that help bring awareness to this population.
  • Feminist Caucus
    • The Feminist Caucus is a non-hierarchical student run organization that seeks to empower students to cultivate and nourish their feminisms. As an organization we intend: To promote an inclusive academic community that is supportive of feminist thinking, scholarship, and practice. To advocate for social justice for marginalized populations; acknowledging the complexities of gender, social identity, privilege, oppression, and power on women’s and girls’ experiences. To contribute to building a politically, socially, environmentally, economically just world through feminist scholarship, and activism.
  • Latina/o Student Caucus
    • The mission of the UCLA Department of Social Welfare Latina/o Caucus is to support and supplement the edu- cation of social workers interested in working with Latino populations. We fulfill our mission through social, educational and political activities.  The caucus provides a safe and welcoming environment where students can receive support and resources in their journey to becoming great social workers.
  • Policy Professionals for Diversity and Equity
    • 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 master’s of Public Policy program at UCLA through outreach, advocacy, retention, professional networking, and awareness.
  • Pride at UCLA Luskin
    • PRIDE at UCLA Luskin serves to encourage education, social justice, and activism around issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. The student organization also exists to provide a welcoming and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ students and allies in the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
  • Social Justice/Community Action Caucus
    • The Social Justice/Community Action Caucus connects graduate students at the Luskin School of Public Affairs to social justice issues at UCLA and in the greater Southern California community. The Social Justice/Community Action Caucus will create a space for collaborative dialogue and learning about social justice through educational opportunities, volunteer experiences and community actions.
  • Social Welfare Diversity Caucus
    • The Diversity Caucus seeks to work with the Department of Social Welfare in finding solutions to overcome the barriers that make it challenging to enroll diverse groups of incoming students into the Social Welfare program and promote diversity throughout our curriculum and program.

UCLA provides various training programs, such as:

  • Title IX & Sexual Violence Prevention Training
    • All new UC graduate students are required to complete Think About It, an interactive online educational program that promotes awareness of campus sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention resources, the University’s affirmative consent standard, and options for bystander intervention and risk reduction. The program highlights resources for graduate students, as well as for undergraduates who graduate students may need to refer for support and services.
  • LGBTQ Ally Training
    • A three-hour program designed to help participants learn what it means to be an ally, gain a basic awareness of LGBTQ identities, understand how LGBTQ inclusion makes our campus and the world a more inclusive place for all, and learn resources and skills to be better ally.
  • Intergroup Dialogue Training
    • Within the Bruin Resource Center (BRC), the Intergroup Relations Program aims to cultivate a campus environment that is inclusive and promotes a sense of belonging for the students, staff and faculty of UCLA. IGR engages, supports and educates the UCLA community on issues of social identity, interpersonal and intergroup relations/conflict, prejudice reduction, and social justice, and imparts valuable multicultural skills to the UCLA community.
    • The Intergroup Relations Program also hosts the Intergroup Dialogue Program
      • “Taste of Dialogue” workshops focus on topics such as social identity, intercultural communication, active listening, conflict resolution, micro-aggressions , inter/intra-group conflict and more!.
      • Structured as small group dialogues, IGD seminars offer students the opportunity to enroll in a 10 week intergroup dialogue for academic credit. The seminar courses combine experiential learning, readings, and dialogic discussions to explore issues of social identity, intergroup conflict, social action, and alliance building.

When someone alleges discrimination by faculty, staff, or students, it is the University’s ethical and legal responsibility to conduct a thorough, independent, and objective investigation. The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion plays a crucial role in those investigations.

If you have experienced or witnessed acts of discrimination, simply contact WeListen@equity.ucla.edu or call (310) 825-3935. They will guide you to the right place.

To report:

1. All gender-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, assault, and violence:

2. All disability claims:

If seeking interactive accommodations for faculty or staff:

If seeking academic accommodations for students:

If seeking investigation:

3. All other discrimination claims:

If claim is against faculty:

If claim is against staff:

If claim is against a student:

4. To report violent behavior or threats of harm affecting the workplace:

Who We Are

Erin Collins

Staff Advisor, D3 Initiative

Executive Assistant to the Dean

Bianca D.M. Wilson

Equity Advisor & D3 Faculty Advisor, Luskin School

Associate Professor

Camille Grundy (she/her)

D3 Student Project Manager

Master of Social Welfare

Cristy Portlock (she/her)

D3 Student Project Manager

Master of Urban Planning

Jerusha Rainy Kannula (she/her)

D3 Student Project Manager

Master of Public Policy

Connect With Us

EMAIL THE D3 TEAM

d3Initiative@ucla.edu

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

@luskind3initiative

News

illustration of Olympic torch

Mega-Events, Major Opportunities As it prepares to host a series of monumental gatherings, L.A. is urged to seize the moment to bring lasting benefits to the region

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , /by

As it prepares to host a series of monumental gatherings, L.A. is urged to seize the moment to make life better in the region.

Read more →
three people
Second-year student Fiona Lu, center, with state Assemblyman Isaac Bryan MPP '22 and state Senator Caroline Menjivar MSW '22.

Training Youth to Turn Their Passion Into Action Undergrad Fiona Lu advocates for economic justice by forming strategic coalitions, including with UCLA Luskin alumni

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by

Undergrad Fiona Lu advocates for economic justice by forming strategic coalitions, including with UCLA Luskin alumni

Read more →

Also at Luskin