Our Commitment to Diversity & Equity
The Luskin Public Policy Department recognizes that many of the policy problems we address are rooted in discrimination, inequality, and historic patterns of social exclusion. In our teaching, research, and engagement in the public sphere we aim to advance social justice and help shape policy in ways that benefit all people. The Luskin Public Policy Department is committed to creating and nurturing a scholarly community that:
- Reflects the diversity of our local and global societies by recruiting faculty, staff, and students from traditionally marginalized underrepresented groups.
- Treats all its members with openness, equality, fairness, and respect regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identification, gender expression, sexuality, religion, age, economic status, immigration status, and disability status.
- Aspires to practice culturally competent mentoring.
- Recognizes the historical and contemporary injustices experienced by all marginalized groups and pledges not to reproduce them.
- Embraces, supports, and celebrates the different experiences, perspectives, and cultures of our diverse members.
- Continually strives to reduce inequities in our own department, in the public policy profession, and in the broader society.
Advancing Diversity through Partnerships
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Partnership
Driven by our social justice values and our desire to increase diversity in our program and in the public service field, UCLA Luskin Public Policy has established a partnership with CHCI. The partnership will provide a minimum fellowship of $7,500 to CHCI alumni who are admitted to our Master of Public Policy program. To receive the fellowship, applicants must upload a verification letter from CHCI confirming their alumni status as part of their MPP application in the “Supporting Documents” section.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Partnership
Building on our social justice values and our desire to increase diversity in our program and in the public service field, UCLA Luskin Public Policy has established a partnership with CBCF. The partnership will provide a minimum fellowship of $7,500 to CBCF alumni who are admitted to our Master of Public Policy program. To receive the fellowship, applicants must upload a verification letter from CHCI confirming their alumni status as part of their MPP application in the “Supporting Documents” section.
Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Partnership
UCLA Luskin Public Policy partners with PPIA on a variety of recruitment and retention efforts to increase the diversity of our applicant pool. In addition to partnering on information sessions and workshops, UCLA Luskin Public Policy and PPIA host an annual Public Service Weekend at UCLA for undergraduate students. Over the weekend participants, meet trailblazing leaders from a variety of public service careers that share their experiences and learn how to harness their passion for tackling social problems into a career in public affairs while developing key skills to fight real-world problems.
Alumni of PPIA’s Junior Summer Institute who are admitted to our Master of Public Policy program are guaranteed a minimum, one-time financial award of $10,000.
Diversities, Disparities, & Difference (D3)
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.
View D3’s programs, fellowships, and opportunities here.
Diversity Statistics
The Fall 2022 MPP entering class (Class of 2023) includes students from four countries. 24% percent of entering students are international. Of the domestic students, 46% are under-represented minorities and multi-racial, including 18% who identify as Latinx, 10% as African American, and 8% as American Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. Of the domestic students, 61% are from California. About seven of 10 entering students identify as female and three of 10 as male. 57% of entering students are first generation college students.
Please find a more detailed breakdown of our diversity statistics here.
