Community Development and Social Justice Program

The Community Development and Social Justice Scholars Program (CDSJ) provides eight undergraduate students with a service learning opportunity that integrates the classroom and service in preparation for graduate study in social welfare, public policy, urban planning, and public health. Participants enroll in a sequence of courses that will enrich their community-based learning with opportunities for reflection and community building within the cohort. Each participant receives a $3,000 scholarship.

Download the Spring 2009 syllabus (20k).

Learn more about the four different CDSJ fields!! (76k).

Additionally, students are paired with an AAP Graduate Mentor who provides students with mentoring in their areas of interest, as well as advises them on the graduate school application process. Scholars also develop their resumes and/or curriculum vitae, personal and professional statements, and obtain strong letters of recommendations from professors and employers.

Students apply for the AAP Community Development and Social Justice Program in the Fall quarter. The program requires a three term commitment (Winter, Spring, and the following Fall).


Eligibility Requirements

• Be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time at UCLA
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of United States with a valid social security or individual tax identification number. All legal permanent residents must submit a copy of their valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551.
• Have Junior level standing (at least 90 units)
• Have a 2.90 GPA or higher
• Demonstrate academic potential for graduate study
• Express an interest in graduate or professional school in social welfare, public policy, urban planning or public health
• Students who participate in the McNair Research Scholars Program and Educators for Tomorrow Program may not apply to the CDSJ program.
• Students who receive the AAP Scholarship or Wilson Scholarship will not be eligible to receive a CDSJ stipend.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Academic record, plans, and career goals
• Demonstrated financial need
• Community service
• Demonstrated desire to pursue a graduate degree in social welfare, public policy, urban planning or public health
• Compelling essay responses

For more information, please feel free to contact us.

Cindy Sangalang,
Graduate Coordinator
sangalan@ucla.edu
(310) 794-4186

• Adrian Arellano - public policy
• America Gonzalez ­ public policy and education
• Angelina Cazares* ­ social welfare and families
• Diego Cortez ­ urban planning
• Gildy Lopez ­ public health
• Jose Hernandez ­ public policy and education
• Juana Hernandez ­ public policy
• Maria Rangel ­ public health
• Vanessa Deleon ­ public health

*Student participated in the AAP Junior Scholars Program

CDSJ scholars America Gonzalez (4th year, Chicana/o Studies), Jose Hernandez (4th year, Political Science), and Diego Janacua (3rd year, Latin American Studies) have been accepted into the UC Center at Sacramento Scholar Intern Program.

They will learn about California politics and the public policy process firsthand by completing an internship and a public policy research seminar in our State Capitol. Congratulations America, Jose, and Diego!

We are pleased to announce the Fall 2008 graduate school placements for the AAP Community Development and Social Justice Program:

• Tifhanie Coleman, Cal State LA, MSW
• Cheye Ann Corona, UCLA, joint MA degree in Urban Planning and Latin American Studies
• Ebonie Ellington, Columbia University, MSW
• Kristina Gustafson, Johns Hopkins University, MPH
• Christina Kaoh, Harvard University, MPP
• Jennifer McGee, UCLA, MPH
• Robert Rodriguez, UCLA, MSW
• Serena Salinas, UCLA, Afro-American Studies, MA

• Jeric Huang received his MPP from UC Berkeley and now works for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in San Francisco.


• Evelyn Herrera is a social worker for Los Angeles County DCFS.


• Karume James is a community organizer for Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention.


• Maribel Meza works as a Policy Analyst for Advancement Project LA.


• Carmen Ortiz is working as a business property appraiser for the Los Angeles County.


• Enedina Ruiz is interning at San Benito County Public Works Department while waiting for graduate school admissions,


• Steve Sandoval loves his job as a case worker in the city of Los Angeles. He has applied for MPH and MSW programs.


• Tommy Tseng is a union representative/organizer with SEIU-United Healthcare Workers.


• William Tuong is doing behavioral research at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. focused on making informed decisions about prostate cancer and helping individuals understand their genetic risk for colon cancer.


• LaToya Walker works a case manager for Shields for Families.