ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Astin Community Engaged Scholars program provides a unique opportunity for undergraduates to spend a year learning about, and then conducting, community-engaged research. As Brian, an Astin Scholar alum (2017-2018), shares, “The Astin program allowed me to cultivate the idea that you can be passionate for disadvantaged communities, vulnerable populations….It strengthens you as an academic in a way that is unmatched at UCLA”.
Scholars enroll in a credit-bearing course each quarter, and receive a financial award to engage in research that will support social justice movements. Always keeping in mind our goal of having a positive impact on the communities we work with, the program has continued to evolve over the years to incorporate more community voice. In its current conception, Scholars spend the fall quarter learning about the principles of conducting community engaged research, and then during winter and spring quarters, collaborate with graduate students and community activists to produce action-oriented research on a specific social issue, as part of the Institute for Research on Labor & Employment’s (IRLE) long-standing Community Scholars program.
The program is named for visionary UCLA higher education scholars Helen (“Lena”) and Alexander (“Sandy”) Astin to honor their nationally recognized body of research in the area of civic engagement.
– Aliena Pitts, Political Science major with a Community Engagement and Social Change minor
Remembering Lena
Helen S. (Lena) Astin was a pioneer in the research of student experiences while in college, specifically on issues related to women, equity, spirituality, and civic engagement. She was a prolific writer, having authored 14 books among her vast accomplishments in a career that spanned over 50 years. But to the students who have been chosen as Astin Community Engaged Scholars, Lena personified what an educator should be: someone who deeply cared about students.
Her insight, encouragement, and warmth were tremendously meaningful for these young scholars learning how to incorporate their passions into rigorous inquiry. And the feeling was mutual — Lena always had a big smile on her face while listening to the students talk about their research. All of us who knew and worked with Lena have been honored by her company. She is so greatly missed.
To learn more about Lena’s life and career, and to share your own memories of her, please visit the Higher Education Research Institute’s Tribute to Lena.
HOW TO APPLY
The Astin Community Engaged Scholars program funds a select group of upper-division students who demonstrate a strong, ongoing commitment to community engagement and social change. The program is named for visionary UCLA higher education scholars Helen (“Lena”) and Alexander (“Sandy”) Astin to honor their nationally recognized body of research in the area of civic engagement. Those chosen to participate will receive a scholarship of up to $10,000 (based on need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office).
In 2025-26, the Astin Scholars will collaborate with the youth civic education organization Changeist to mentor civically-engaged youth in their pursuit of social change, and will conduct research that will benefit the organization. Changeist builds a community of diverse young people that utilize their personal agency to create a more just society. They do this by fostering young people’s sociopolitical empowerment and growing their social capital, so that they have the tools they need to make the world a better place. As an Astin Scholar, you will learn about theories and methods of conducting community-engaged research, and be trained in the latest youth development frameworks and skill sets to enhance the learning of young people.
Fall quarter will be spent learning about the principles and the practice of conducting community-engaged research, while also learning about Changeist’s program, and helping to recruit youth to participate. You will also participate in trainings conducted by Changeist staff. In winter and spring quarters, you will mentor a team of youth, aka Changeists, (with training facilitated by Changeist Staff) 3 Saturdays per month, and you will conduct a research project that will produce findings aimed at further expanding the capacity of Changeist to support youth empowerment and activism. Each quarter, undergraduates will enroll in a 4-unit upper division course.
Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their major and have junior or senior standing in the fall of the year they begin the program.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2025.
Questions about the application or the program in general can be sent to Dr. Douglas Barrera at dbarrera@college.ucla.edu. Dr. Barrera is also happy to meet with any prospective applicants to discuss their research ideas. Please email him for an appointment.
Apply for the Astin Community Engaged Scholars program here:
2024-2025 Astin Community Engaged Scholars
Isabella Kimberly Cardenas
Isabella Kimberly Cardenas is majoring in Biology with a minor in Biomedical Research.
Charlene Faye Cubangbang
Charlene Faye Cubangbang is majoring Political Science with minors in Global Studies and Public Affairs.
Cristopher Espino
Cristopher Espino is majoring in Political Science & Education and Social Transformation Studies.
Gabriela Nicole Hernandez
Gabriela Nicole Hernandez is majoring in American Literature and Culture with minors in Community Engagement and Social Change and Spanish.
Ryan Horio
Ryan Horio is majoring in Human Biology & Society and Asian American Studies.
Brenda Macuil
Brenda Macuil is majoring in International Development Studies.
Tai-Ge Min (they/he)
Tai-Ge Min is majoring in Sociology with minors in Labor Studies and Social Data Science.
Christina Morcus
Christina Morcus is double majoring in International Development Studies and Cognitive Science with a specialization in Computation. She plans to minor in Community Engagement and Social Change.
Allyson Najera
Allyson Najera is majoring in Sociology with a minor in Education.
Isabel Ortega Hernandez (she/her/ella)
Isabel Ortega Hernandez (she/her/ella) is double majoring in Political Science and Chicane and Central American Studies with a minor in Labor Studies.
Olivia Pacheco
Yoonha Park is majoring in Public Health, B.S.
Yoonha Park
Yoonha Park is majoring in Public Affairs and Economics.
Karla Vasquez Perez (she/her/ella)
Karla Vasquez Perez is majoring in Political Science with minors in Community Engagement and Social Change and Central American Studies.
2023-2024 Astin Community Engaged Scholars
David Aguilar
David Aguilar is majoring in Anthropology with a minor in Chicana/Chicano Studies.
Aimee Benitez Aguirre
Aimee Benitez Aguirre is majoring in Public Affairs and International Development Studies.
Nia Ainsworth
Nia Ainsworth is majoring in Psychobiology.
Charlene Faye Cubangbang
Charlene Faye Cubangbang is majoring in Political Science with minors in Global Studies and Public Affairs.
Justine Ligaya Du
Justine Ligaya Du is majoring in Labor Studies.
Abigail Figueroa
Abigail Figueroa is double majoring in Labor Studies and Geography.
Jasmine Gonzalez
Jasmine Gonzalez is majoring in Human Biology and Society B.S. with minors in Chicano/x and Central American Studies.
Isabel Ortega Hernandez
Isabel Ortega Hernandez is majoring in Political Science, Chicanx and Central American Studies, and Labor Studies.
Bryzen Enzo Morales
Bryzen Enzo Morales is double majoring in Public Affairs and Economics.
Jonathan Garcia Renteria
Jonathan Garcia Renteria is majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Environmental Engineering.
Sherrod Session
Sherrod Session is majoring in Labor Studies.
Chia Ying Wong
Chia Ying Wong is majoring in English, Education and Social Transformation and minoring in Community Engagement and Social Change.
Finished Products
POLICY TEAM PRESENTATIONS AND PRODUCTS
Taking the High Road Exit (booklet pdf for printing)
Recommendations for Reforming the City of Los Angeles Garment Procurement Policies
Recomendaciones para Reformar las Políticas de Adquisición de Predas de Vestir de la Ciudad de Los Angeles (Resumen Ejecutivo)
CO-OP TEAM PRESENTATION AND PRODUCTS
Threaded Together (booklet pdf for printing)
Unidos por el Hilo (booklet pdf for printing)
Comprehensive Research Binder for the Staffing Cooperative
STORY TEAM
2022 – 2023 Astin Community Engaged Scholars
Asal Bastani
Asal Bastani is majoring in Human Biology and Society with a minor in Professional Writing.
Ashley Ceballos-Hernandez
Ashley Ceballos-Hernandez is double majoring in Public Affairs and Labor Studies.
Renato Escobar
Renato Escobar is majoring in Environmental Science Minors and minoring in Global Health and Community Engagement and Social Change.
Angela Estrada
Angela Estrada is majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Community Engagement and Social Change.
Andrea Nuñez Guido
Andrea Nuñez Guido is double majoring in Labor Studies and Global Studies with a Spanish Minor.
Ili Levine
Ili Levine is double majoring in Labor studies and Gender studies.
Heidy Melchor
Heidy Melchor is double majoring in Public Affairs and Labor Studies.
Karla Alejandra Ramirez
Karla Alejandra Ramirez is double majoring in Anthropology and Sociology.
Alejandro Valdivia
Alejandro Valdivia is double majoring in Political Science and Labor Studies.