Committed to providing access, equity and excellence for the last 50 years
What began as an initiative to widen access for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, has become the nation’s largest diversity program
50 Years of Access, Equity, and Excellence
The Academic Advancement Program (AAP) is the nation’s largest university-based student diversity academic program – consisting of a collection of innovative programs annually serving more than 5,500 student members from multi-ethnic, low-income, first-generation, and multi-racial backgrounds.
Throughout this history of the program, AAP continues to encourage and promote academic achievement and excellence by providing students with peer learning (tutoring), academic programs, academic, personal, and career counseling, graduate and professional school mentoring, scholarship access, research opportunities and stipends, opportunities to participate in innovative programs, and the resources needed to succeed at UCLA.
Built on the principles of social justice, AAP’s mission is to advocate and facilitate access for those that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, inform and prepare students for graduate and professional schools, and to develop the academic, scientific, political, economic, and community leadership necessary to transform society.
AAP encourages students to explore their talents and abilities, to believe in themselves, to set the highest standards for themselves, to aspire to academic and personal excellence, to utilize the full range of campus resources, and to develop a sense of community and social responsibility.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Take a trip back in time with AAP and explore archival photos and milestones from the last 50 years.
Vision
A Message from Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education
This is an exciting time for UCLA, the College of Letters and Science and the Division of Undergraduate Education as we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Academic Advancement Program (AAP). And we have much to celebrate.
For the last 50 years, AAP has continuously brought together incredible people with inspired vision to grow the nation’s largest university-based student diversity program. Today, diverse and impressive scholars come to UCLA and are provided with resources and opportunities to thrive, fulfilling AAP’s mission to provide access, equity, and success for undergraduate students.
At this time, I am thrilled that AAP will offer a pathway and home for the record turnout of the diverse Class of 2025 student applications to UCLA – a 28% increase of freshman applicants including an increase in applicants who identify as African American, Chicano/Latino, American Indian, Pacific Islander, and first-generation. AAP will also continue to be the campus community for students who are first-generation, children of immigrants, or come from high financial need backgrounds.
This year’s celebration is momentous in that we can reflect on AAP’s half-century of contributions and look ahead to the social impact and future change it will make. I look forward to seeing what the next 50 years of progress looks like. In addition, I want to hear stories from Bruins that appreciatively recall their time as an AAP member and are now thriving beyond UCLA in their careers and personal lives.
Happy anniversary AAP!
Adriana Galván
Dean
Division of Undergraduate Education
A message from the Director of UCLA’s Academic Advancement Program
An Anniversary to Inspire Change and Growth
This year marks the Academic Advancement Programs (AAP) 50th anniversary. On behalf of the students, staff, and advisory council, we want to welcome you to join us in celebrating this exciting occasion.
In its 50 years on campus, AAP has been known as a safe space and trusting community that supports undergraduates and fosters in students a sense of belonging at the university. Anyone who has walked through the doors of Campbell Hall has seen the vast opportunity laid out for its students – a close knit community with dedicated staff and academic and peer services. AAP pushes its students to graduate with the broadest and most enriched education possible.
Reflecting on AAP’s 50 years lets us see how far we’ve come and how much more work there is in our mission to have a more diverse and accessible campus. Those who have walked through our doors as AAP students or friends and alumni that supported our program in other ways – you have all helped make AAP what it is today and have carved out a path for the programs future.
We are proud of this time in UCLA’s history and look forward to celebrating with you the remainder of the year with our annual events and the Distinguished Speaker Series. These monthly virtual events will be a celebration of social mobility, rich diversity, academic excellence, and change makers. You will have the opportunity to spend an evening being inspired and challenged featuring UCLA’s renewed faculty, alumni, and friends.
Congratulations AAP!
[Electronic Signature]
Dr. Charles Alexander
Associate Vice Provost,
Director, Academic Advancement Program
Impact
In celebration of AAP’s 50th Anniversary, you can find spotlighted 50 leaders, alumni and friends who have helped shaped this incredible community and are now dedicated to helping others in the classroom and in life. Would you like us to share your story?
Events
A Celebration of 50 years from 1971-2021 will include events and activities designed to engage the whole AAP Community. We look forward to celebrating with you this year with our regularly scheduled AAP annual events that you’ve come to love and our Distinguished Speaker Series This series will be a celebration of social mobility, rich diversity, academic excellence, and change-makers. Spend an evening being inspired and challenged during these monthly talks featuring UCLA’s renowned faculty, alumni, and friends. The series will be virtual and open to the public.
Coming Up…
- Winston Doby Lecture featuring Erin Brockovich | April 21st, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. PDT
- Spark Giving Campaign in honor of AAP’s 50th Anniversary | November 2021
Initiatives
The 50th anniversary of AAP presents an opportunity to showcase and further its commitments to access, equity and excellent. Creating expanded and enhanced opportunity through scholarship, program and services growth.
$50 Million
Diversity Academy
As AAP looks to the future 50 years and beyond, it seeks to enhance, elevate and secure its position in the nation and around the globe as a leader in social mobility, justice and change through education.
$5 Million
Endowed directors
The success for AAP’s program and resources for its students depends on loyal and top notch leadership. Endowing a director within AAP will solidify the work of AAP in its mission for a more accessible and diverse campus.
$500,000
Peer counseling and learning facilitators
Ensure the continued success and growth of this free resource offered to all almost 2,000 AAP students every week who want to strengthen their abilities to think critically and independently, read analytically, write well, and study effectively.
$50,000
Scholarship
Supporting students through scholarship alleviates financial burden and clears a path for AAPs students to focus on their studies and join and thrive in a nurturing and opportunity filled community.
$5,000
Cohort
Play a role in supporting career and industry exploration of AAPs brightest students. Supporting AAPs cohorts will provide funding for graduate mentors to guide, mentor and provide programming for students interested in pursuing medical school, social justice work, careers in the arts and beyond.
$500
VIPS
Fund the future by helping us build a pipeline of diverse students to apply and attend UCLA and four year institutions.
$50
Emergency funds
As we endure new hardships amidst the pandemic, AAP seeks to provide emergency funding including texbooks and wifi hotpsots for all AAP students who may be in need.
Timeline
AAP Throughout the Decades
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
