The Bruin Life Skills Program strives to enhance the student-athlete experience within the University setting by coordinating educational programs and resources focusing on life skills and individual development. UCLA Athletics is committed to providing a comprehensive educational experience through the following commitments:
Academic Excellence: To support the academic progress of the student-athlete toward
intellectual development and graduation.
Personal Development: To support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for
student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth, leadership
and decision-making skills.
Career Development: To encourage the student-athlete to develop the skills to plan and
pursue career and life goals.
Community Service: To provide opportunities to engage the student-athlete in service to
his or her campus and surrounding communities.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Bruin Athletic Council (BAC)
The Bruin Athletic Council (BAC) or Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from all 22 Bruin teams. This select group of leaders provides the student-athletes with a representative voice to the athletic administration. The BAC is also responsible for discussing issues of importance and concern to student-athletes, such as, NCAA legislation, student-athlete welfare, and community service opportunities.
The goals of the BAC are as follows:
- To assist in creating stronger lines of communication between student-athletes and athletic administration.
- To increase the level of participation by student-athletes in community service activities.
- To organize activities and special events that encourages all student-athletes to participate.
- To share information and feedback to team members about BAC, student issues and upcoming events.
- To provide feedback to enhance the experience of UCLA student-athletes.
NCAA Leadership Conference
Each year one Bruin student-athlete is selected by the NCAA to participate in the annual Leadership Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida to discuss key issues in intercollegiate athletics and enhance their leadership skills at the 10th annual NCAA Leadership Conference.
The NCAA Leadership Conference provides student-athletes with a forum to openly discuss issues that may affect them on their campuses and in their communities, while also providing them with the opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. The NCAA Leadership Conference also promotes better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities. The five-day leadership conference consists of daily exercises and activities to help the student-athletes develop as individuals and as contributing members to a group.
Media Relations/Sports Information
UCLA Athletic teams receive an incredible amount of attention from the media. Interacting with the media gives student-athletes the opportunity to share their stories and promote their team and the Bruin family. These experiences will help students perfect their communication and interpersonal skills that will transfer into life after their college experience.
UCLA's Sports Information Office helps to prepare student-athletes for the various media opportunities they will encounter through the visibility of the Bruin program. Student-athletes have a responsibility to their coaches and teammates to cooperate with the news media. UCLA student-athletes represent themselves, their teammates, coaches, and the entire Athletic Department when interacting with members of the news media. Student-athletes are asked to never give out their home or cell phone number to any media member. All media requests should be arranged by the Sports Information office. Contact the sports information director for your sport with questions about interviewing or dealing with the media.
Exit Interviews
Student-athletes are encouraged to complete an exit interview form before they graduate. The exit interview is a tool that is used by the athletic department to enable the athletic administration to make the necessary changes to improve programming and services to better meet the needs of Bruin student-athletes. These exit interviews are conducted at the end of the student-athlete's athletic career.
Director's Honor Roll - Academic Recognition
Student-athletes who earn a 3.00 or higher grade point average are recognized as a part of the Director's Honor Roll. Student-athletes names are posted by sport each quarter outside the George Kneller Academic Center in the Morgan Center and remain for the academic year. Special recognition is given to those student-athletes who earn a 4.00 quarterly grade point average.
Bruin Athletics Graduation Reception
At the end of each academic year, the Athletic Department sponsors the Graduation Reception to recognize and thank the graduating seniors for their many accomplishments culminating in graduation. All graduating student-athletes, parents, family members, counselors, coaches, staff and administrators are invited to attend. Graduating seniors receive an academic medal to wear during commencement ceremonies, and academic awards are presented at the reception. This event is an opportunity for parents to meet counselors, administrators, coaches and faculty; and for student-athletes to say good-bye to their classmates and celebrate their accomplishments.
Academic Medals Thanks to a generous donation from UCLA alumnus, Rose Gilbert, graduating seniors receive an academic medal at the annual Bruin Athletics Graduation Reception. Student-athletes are asked to wear these medals during their commencement ceremony. Medals are presented to graduating students based on their cumulative grade point average. Graduates who have earned an overall GPA of 2.00 - 2.99 will receive a Student Athlete medal, and those with an overall GPA of 3.00 - 4.00 will receive a Scholar Athlete medal. The graduating male and female athlete with the highest overall GPA will receive The Rose Gilbert UCLA Scholar Athlete Award and have their names added to a special plaque that is displayed in the Kneller Academic Center.
Donald R. Shephard Award This award is granted annually to senior student-athletes who have exhausted their athletic eligibility and are pursuing a graduate degree. Candidates for this award must be in their last quarter or have completed requirements for a baccalaureate degree, have a declared degree path for their postgraduate degree, and receive a letter of recommendation from his/her coach. The award is also based on financial need and/or service to the Department of Athletics and UCLA community. Two awards may be provided each year and the final award amount will be determined by the donor. The award amount will be directed first toward the recipient's tuition, up to $5,000 annually. Depending on financial need, it may also be applied to other educational expenses or to necessary living expenses that will be incurred while pursuing a graduate degree. For more information, please see your academic counselor.
The Rose and Sam Gilbert Fellowship
Student-athletes who have been admitted to a graduate program at UCLA can apply for the Gilbert Fellowship. Two awards of up to $10,000, from which fees are paid, are awarded to students who attended UCLA as undergraduates for at least two years and participated on men's or women's intercollegiate athletic team(s). Contact Mike Casillas, 310-206-6838 for more information.
NCAA Scholarship Programs
Contact Ashley Armstrong, 310-206-7121, for more information on NCAA Scholarship Programs.
Postgraduate Scholarship Program The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually, 87 for men and 87 for women. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition. The one-time grants of $7,500 each are awarded for fall sports, winter sports and spring sports. Eligibility is restricted to student-athletes at NCAA member institutions who, in their final year of eligibility, have performed with distinction as members of varsity teams in the sport for which they were nominated. Nominees must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.200 (based on a 4.000 scale), be nominated by the faculty athletics representative or designee, and intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a part-time or full-time graduate student.
Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship Programs Sixteen scholarships for ethnic minorities and sixteen scholarships for women are available annually to college graduates who will be entering into the first year of their initial postgraduate studies. The applicant must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports-administration or related program that will assist the applicant in obtaining a career in intercollegiate athletics (athletics administrator, coach, athletic trainer or other career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics). Each award is valued at $6,000.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
UCLA Athletics encourages student-athletes to start their career development once they arrive on campus. Student-athletes are encouraged to visit the career center and take advantage of the many services and resources that are available on campus. Students receive assistance in identifying internship and employment opportunities that meet their career interests and goals. They have opportunities to network with Bruin alumni and meet with companies that are interested in employing student-athletes. The goal is to help students identify their transferable skills and prepare for the transition from their athletic career to corporate America. Career information is posted in the Kneller Academic Center. For assistance with career development contact Ashley Armstrong, 310-206-7121.
UCLA Career Center
501 Westwood Plaza (at Strathmore), Floors 2 & 3, 310-206-1915
UCLA's Career Center assigns a specific career counselor to each sport to help student-athletes work towards career plans after college. The center's resources include various workshops (writing a resume, interview techniques), career fairs, interviews, internships, and study abroad programs. Students are also encouraged to log on to www.career.ucla.edu and register for Bruin View, which provides exclusive access to hundreds of online job and internship postings, campus interviews, and information sessions at the UCLA Career Center.
Student-athletes can schedule an appointment with their assigned career counselor, or use the drop in hours (Monday-Friday 10AM - 4PM) for any career-related questions or concerns. Call or e-mail your career counselor in advance to schedule an appointment.
| Team | Counselor | Phone # | Email Address |
| M Volleyball | Karol Johansen | 310-206-1934 | kjohanse@career.ucla.edu |
| W Volleyball M & W Golf M Tennis | Matthew Fox | 310-206-1936 | mfox@career.ucla.edu |
| W Gymnastics W Track/Cross | Precious Robinson | 310-206-1932 | probinso@career.ucla.edu |
| W Tennis Baseball | John Coate | 310-206-1025 | jcoate@career.ucla.edu |
| W Swimming M Soccer W Diving | Jordan Maness | 310-206-1920 | jmaness@career.ucla.edu |
| Softball W Rowing | Jayshree Radhakrishnan | 310-206-1931 | jr@career.ucla.edu |
| M Track/Cross | John Taborn | 310-206-1025 | jtaborn@career.ucla.edu |
| M & W Water Polo | Al Aubin | 310-206-1935 | aaubin@career.ucla.edu |
| W Soccer W Basketball | Cynthia Hall | 310-206-1940 | chall@career.ucla.edu |
| Football | Al Aubin John Coate | 310-206-1935 310-206-1967 | aaubin@career.ucla.edu jcoate@career.ucla.edu |
| M Basketball | Dario Bravo | 310-206-9980 | dbravo@career.ucla.edu |
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Bruin student-athletes, coaches and staff have the opportunity to participate in community service activities on campus and throughout the Los Angeles area. The Bruin Athletic Council coordinates annual projects such as, food & clothing drives, participation in elementary school activities and reading days. Bruins also have the opportunity to volunteer for individual speaking engagements and events, participate in sports clinics, the I'm Going to College program, and Adopt-a-Classroom (pen pal program). These service opportunities give student-athletes a chance to mentor youth, give back to the community and serve as ambassadors for UCLA Athletics.