


MISSION
The Research, Assessment and Evaluation (RAE) unit maintains data on the Academic Advancement Program and AAP students while designing and implementing assessments and evaluations that examine their progress and outcomes. RAE supports a culture of research-informed decision-making by collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data related to AAP’s students and services. Our team of researchers provide data and data analysis support to all the AAP units, campus partners, and stakeholders to inform AAP initiatives and offerings.
AAP RAE also provides AAP students with the opportunity to engage independently and collaboratively with institutional research projects that can inform real world practices and decision-making within the program from data cleaning, coding, and visualization to analyses and report writing. Learn more about how to get involved under the Join Our Team tab.
PILLARS
Research – producing new knowledge “for AAP students, by AAP students”
Assessment – assess students’ experiences throughout the academic year to inform real-time changes
Evaluation – examine student experiences
RAE 2021-2022 TEAM

Alice Ho, Ph.D.
Alice Ho is the Director of Research, Assessment and Evaluation in UCLA’s Academic Advancement Program (AAP) where she oversees many initiatives, including the Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars Program, that support first-generation, low-income undergraduate students of color as they prepare for graduate school. She also serves as the Curriculum Coordinator of UCLA’s Freshmen and Transfer Summer Programs and leads AAP’s research and assessment efforts. In the Division, she has also worked with the Center for Educational Assessment where she managed UCLA’s Senior Survey and worked on assessments of undergraduate curriculum, programs, and various grant initiatives. She has extensive institutional research, consulting, and leadership experience. She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Education - Human Development and Psychology and her B.A. in Psychology with an Education minor, all from UCLA. She is a proud AAP alum who is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.

Feliz Quinones, Ph.D.
Feliz Quinones is the Assistant Director of AAP Research, Assessment and Evaluation, where she coordinates the management, development, and administration of AAP-wide survey efforts and assessment projects. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and her Ph.D. and M.A. in Education, with a concentration in Human Development and Psychology, from UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. Prior to joining RAE, Feliz was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Human Development and taught research methods at California State University, Dominguez Hills. She brings extensive research, mentoring, and teaching experience to the RAE team.

Ramon Flores
Ramon Flores is a Graduate Student Researcher in the Research, Assessment and Evaluation Unit in AAP. Ramon is a PhD Candidate in Human Development and Psychology in the Department of Education at UCLA. His research interests include examining and addressing the disproportionate disciplining/punishment of Latinx students in K-12 education. Ramon earned a BA in Psychology from Pitzer College and MA in Psychological Research from CSULB.

Camille Smith
Camille Smith is a Ph.D. student in Higher Education and Organizational Change at UCLA. As a budding research, assessment and evaluation professional, she seeks to supply research and data for informed decision-making on college campuses. She applies psychological theory to advocate for student success, social justice in higher education and the empowerment of underrepresented minorities on college campuses. She comes to UCLA from the University of Michigan where she completed her master’s degree in Higher Education Institutional Research. She obtained her bachelor’s in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from USC.

Brenda Chavez
Brenda Chavez is a first-generation college student, fourth-year undergraduate, and second-year transfer. She is a proud transfer of Santa Ana College where she obtained three associates of arts degrees with High Honors in Psychology, Spanish, and Social and Behavior Science. She is a current research fellow with AAP’s Educators for Tomorrow. Her research focuses on the experiences of non-traditional first-generation Latinas in higher education. Brenda also volunteers her time at her community college and serves as a mentor to underrepresented students on the transfer path. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking traditional Mexican dishes and taking her dog to the park.

Sara Cruz
Sara (she/they) is a first-generation fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Educational Studies. They are a proud transfer from Santa Monica College, CCCP Classic Site Scholar, and UCLA Alumni Scholar. Their career interests lie in academic counseling and/or administration within higher education. They are passionate about empowering students who come from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue higher education. On UCLA’s campus, they are a part of Latinas Guiding Latinas, Alumni Scholars Club, Women’s Empowerment Coalition, Transfer Student Center, and the California Public Interest Research Group. They are also an AAP Peer Counselor who has worked with incoming students during AAP Summer Programs - F/TSP. In their spare time, they enjoy practicing mindfulness meditation and painting.

Nayeli Lopez-Ortiz
Nayeli Lopez-Ortiz is a third-year Psychobiology major and Chicano/a and Central American Studies minor. She was introduced to AAP through the Summer Freshman Program. She is a former participant of the UCLA Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Sciences (PEERS) and the Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program (BISEP). She currently works with UCLA BruinCorps as a Team Leader. Her favorite pastimes are listening to podcasts and going on hikes.

Marilyn Martinez
Marilyn Martinez is a fourth-year transfer student majoring in Sociology and minoring in Chicana and Chicano Studies. She proudly transferred from Pasadena City College where she received three associate of arts degrees with administration honors in Sociology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Psychology. She is a Regent and Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) Classic Site scholar from Glendale, California. Currently, she volunteers as a student notetaker at the Center for Accessible Education (CAE). After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she hopes to attend law school to better serve her community and advocate policy change that will improve the lives of many undocumented individuals and their families.

Eruchi Okpara
Eruchi Okpara is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Physiological Sciences. She has been a member of AAP since the Freshman Summer Program of 2018. In the past, she has served as a tutor in underserved communities through UCLA’s Leadership Education in Algebraic Development Club, and she served as an Event Management Assistant within UCLA’s Residential Life Department where she worked with UCLA student organizations to create events for students living on campus. She also served as the President of UCLA’s On-Campus Housing Council. She is currently a volunteer at Ronald Reagan Medical Center and a Resident Assistant within UCLA’s Residential Life Department. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she hopes to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing and drawing.

Cossette Perez
Cossette (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Cogntivie Science with a specialization in computing. Her hometowns are Tijuana and San Diego. On campus, she is the co-financial director for the club Latinas Guiding Latinas and the co-Site Development Coordinator and Site Leader for Alternative Breaks. She also works with Freshmen and Transfer students as a peer counselor for AAP. In the past, she has participated in Law Fellows and Research Rookies, where she conducted a semester-long research project on the coping strategies of students who live in Mexico and have to cross the Mexican-American border every day to attend school. In her spare time. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and going on night hikes.

Angelique Rubio
Angelique Rubio is a 2nd year undergraduate student majoring in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Neuroscience. Angelique is a proud first-generation college student involved in several organizations on campus, including Hermanas Unidas, IGNITE and the Association of First-Generation Undergraduates. She began her involvement with AAP through the Freshmen Summer Program and has continued to participate in the program through Peer Learning Sessions and her involvement as a Research Assistant. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and playing volleyball.

Aaron Sokthavy Tann
Aaron Sokthavy Tann is a senior Undergraduate Research Assistant for AAP’s RAE unit. While attending Citrus College, he was part of AAP’s Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) Scholars Program, and upon transferring, he was also a participant of AAP’s Transfer Summer Program (TSP). Coming full circle at UCLA, Aaron is now a Peer Advisor for CCCP and a Peer Mentor for the TSP College Honors Mentorship. He is also conducting original research on CCCP under the Communication Departmental Honors Program. Aaron is a proud transfer and alumnus from Citrus College where he earned an A.A. in Liberal Arts. As a current candidate for a B.A. in Communication at UCLA, he is interested in the fields of communications, education, non-profit work, and research.

Celeste Vargas Vera
Celeste Vargas Vera is a first-generation, third-year student majoring in Statistics and minoring in Cognitive Science. Her hometowns are San Ysidro and Tijuana. She is currently involved in Latinas Guiding Latinas as a Financial Committee member on campus. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree, she is interested in pursuing a career in data science. Her hobbies include baking, watching tv shows and walks on the beach.

Patrosinio Cruz
Patrosinio Cruz is a fourth-year transfer student majoring in Education and Social Transformation. His hometown is the San Fernando Valley where he proudly transferred from Los Angeles Valley College. He received his associates in Communications, Chicano/a Studies, and Social Behavior Science. Patrosinio Cruz is currently a Residential Assistant for the ChicanX LatinX Living Learning Community as well as a Peer Advisor for the Center for Community College Partnership. Patrosinio has had the opportunity to participate in Educators for Tomorrow doing research on high school pushouts within higher education. He is currently doing research with Astin Community Engaged Scholars focusing on incarceration. Patrosinio also serves as an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Ambassador for the School of Education & Information Studies.
RAE 2021-2022 TEAM
AAP Student Profile - Fall 2021
AAP Past Student Profiles
2020
Peer Learning Math and Sciences Lab, Spring 2020
Peer Learning Humanities and Social Sciences Lab, Spring 2020
2019
AAP Member Factsheet, Fall 2019
Peer Learning Math and Sciences Lab, Spring 2019
Peer Learning Humanities and Social Sciences Lab, Spring 2019
2018
Peer Learning Math and Sciences Lab, Fall 2018
Peer Learning Humanities and Social Sciences Lab, Fall 2018
2017
Peer Learning Math and Sciences Lab, Fall 2017
The RAE unit invites AAP students who are interested in conducting institutional research specifically about AAP to apply to be an Undergraduate Research Assistant.
Description
Undergraduate research assistants will work alongside fellow undergraduates and graduate student mentors and are expected to commit at least 10 hours per week to assigned research activities. Potential projects involve the different units and programs within AAP, including Peer Learning, Counseling, Mentoring, Summer Programs, VIPS and CCCP Scholars, Data Dashboards, and more!
Undergraduate Research Assistants have opportunities to collect and analyze data, learn data analysis and visualization software, and gain marketable research skills. Additionally, RAs will benefit from research methods and mentorship from RAE staff.
Eligibility
The Undergraduate Research Assistant position requires you to be:
1. A member of AAP
2. At least a second-year student OR a transfer student.
No previous research experience is required.
Course Credit
While the research assistant position is unpaid, there are opportunities to receive Student Research Program (SRP) 99 course credit, 199 directed research, and academic credit through other coursework. For more information about SRP, visit the link below:
Applying to Join the Team
Applications for the 2023-24 Academic Year will be available Spring 2023. Please email aaprae@g.ucla.edu to be added to our interest list and be notified when the application opens.
RAE Research Lab
Box 951541 – 1101A Campbell Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1541
aaprae@ucla.edu
aapresearch@college.ucla.edu
CONTACT INFORMATION
DATA REQUESTS
Interested in AAP? Want to know more about AAP and our students and programs? Looking to collaborate with AAP? AAP’s Research, Evaluation and Assessment unit accepts data requests from UCLA campus stakeholders seeking information about AAP students and programs. To submit a data request, please access our data request form below. For questions about data availability, please email us.