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.
“The Astin Community Engaged Scholars program was fundamental to my growth as a leader and researcher, as it reinforced the importance of community-based research. We could not research the public education system in Los Angeles without involving the community of students, parents, and teachers in our work. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with community leaders of important organizations and schools in the Los Angeles area and this has reinforced my desire to become a teacher in my postgraduate career. I will take my experience with this program with me to my position as an English Teaching Assistant in Spain next year.” -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. In partnership with the UCLA Labor Center, Labor Studies, the Institute for Research on Labor & Employment, and the Department of African American Studies, students chosen as Astin Community Engaged Scholars will collaborate with graduate students and community stakeholders and advocates to leverage community-engaged research, policy analysis, and elevation of worker voice to shape the ‘Future of Work in a Decarcerated California.’ The types of research conducted will vary, but the goal will be to use these methodologies to support people who have worked in the juvenile and criminal justice systems to inform decarceration strategies. This research will add to an ongoing direct engagement of people who have worked in existing carceral regimes to add an important voice to the reimagination of juvenile and criminal justice, racial justice, and public sector work in California.
Fall quarter will be spent learning about the practice of conducting community-engaged research. In winter quarter, undergraduates will team with their research partners to design the projects and begin collecting data. Spring quarter will be dedicated to analyzing data collected and sharing the teams’ findings. Each quarter, undergraduates will enroll in a 4-unit upper division course. The chosen recipients will receive a research scholarship during the year. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have junior or senior standing in the fall of the year they begin the program.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on June 1, 2021, and must be submitted online using your UCLA Gmail account. Students selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
The completed application will include an essay that asks the following:
Many nonprofit organizations have a mission to improve the wellbeing of individuals within the communities that they serve. However, they are often constrained by their funding structures, as well as cultural norms which suggest that providing direct service is the best way to address structural inequality within disenfranchised communities. As the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles, you have been given unlimited funds to improve your community. Please describe the measures you would take to bring about positive change in your community from a systemic perspective. In other words, what would you do to address the root causes of inequality? (Your essay does not need to address issues related to decarceration.) Please submit your answer in no more than 500 words.
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.
2020 – 2021 Astin Community Engaged Scholars
Sebastian Aguilar Tinajero
Sebastian is majoring in Political Science.
Kayleah Kellybrew
Kayleah is majoring in Political Science concentrating in American Politics with an Education Studies minor.
Guadalupe Martinez
Guadalupe is majoring in Physiological Science with a Global Health minor.
Uwaila Omokaro
Uwaila is majoring in Sociology with a Public Health minor.
Fernanda Soto
Fernanda is majoring in Sociology and double minoring in Labor Studies and Public Affairs.