Community Scholars Program

The Community Scholars Program was launched in 1991 to bring together community leaders and UCLA students to study pressing policy issues in Los Angeles. Using applied research, participants develop a product that aims to impact local policy to further social justice. In the past, students have worked on projects related to banking, immigration, housing, health in South Los Angeles, and green jobs. Each Community Scholars cohort addresses an important policy challenge and formulates solutions that incorporate the expertise of community-based change agents and UCLA student researchers.

The Community Scholars program is open to undergraduate and graduate students through UCLA Labor Studies housed in the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment and is co-sponsored by the UCLA Labor Center, the UCLA Center for Community Learning, and a rotating graduate academic department each year.