Welcome to the UCLA Bruin Underground Scholars Program

Building a Prison-to-University Pipeline Through Recruitment, Retention and Advocacy

• Recruitment

  We provide support to incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and system impacted students by conducting outreach events, supporting them through community college, preparing them for the UC, sharing educational resources on how to apply to UCLA, coaching them through the UC application process, offering campus tours, and workshops to navigate the education system.

• Retention

  Our retention program provides formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students with a space on campus to meet and study, academic tutoring and advising, peer coaching, leadership development, student employment, community events, and workshops on how to navigate UCLA.

• Advocacy

  We advocate for currently and formerly incarcerated students and their families. In addition to individual advocacy for students on campus and on parole/probation, we engage in local, state, and national policy advocacy to remove barriers and create opportunity for currently and formerly incarcerated people. We also train formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students to be policy advocates.

• Wellness

  The Wellness Pillar was added in recognition of our students’ health needs. Mental, physical, social, emotional, and holistic. We have workshops and plethora of recreational events cater to Underground Scholar members.

• Resource Hub

  Welcome to the Bruin Underground Scholars Resource Hub! You will find a thorough run down of all the most prominent resources under each category. Feel free to also sign up for office hours to speak with our students should you need any support throughout the process.