UCLA Retirees Association Gift Supports Advising Professional Development

By Kayla McCormack | September 23, 2025

 

The UCLA Retirees Association generously donated $5,000 to support the Advising Communities of Excellence (ACE) Professional Development Program. This gift will provide professional development for UCLA advisors, which is especially critical as the University of California system, like many institutions across the country, is experiencing financial uncertainty.

 

This gift will fund an in-person retreat for UCLA’s advising community to reflect, share ideas, and strengthen personal connections and collaboration. This sponsorship ensures that advisors can continue to grow in their roles and provide intentional support for students and each other.

“This sponsorship is meaningful to our professional community. The Retiree’s Association is investing in our growth as advisors, and that investment will ultimately benefit not only staff but also students across campus,” said Marian Gabra, Senior Director, Learning & Development and Strategic Partnerships within the Center for Academic Advising in the College. “Taking a day to pause, reflect, connect, and nurture our intellectual learning community will be re-energizing, helping us to return to work with new ideas, tools, strategies, and partners.”

 

UCLA Retirees Association has a long history of supporting campus initiatives, and this donation highlights their commitment to the success of current staff and students. Its members, retired UCLA faculty and staff, are deeply invested in UCLA’s mission and its future.  By investing in staff, UCLARA is helping to sustain a culture of learning and excellence that benefits the entire campus community.

 

“Many of us (retirees) benefited from professional development opportunities during our careers and later had the privilege of serving as mentors through HR programs. As retirees, we believe it is important to support current staff, especially since departmental budgets often make professional development difficult to fund,” said Judith Tuch, president of the UCLA Retirees Association.

 

“In challenging financial times, staff development is often among the first areas to be cut. We know firsthand the value of these opportunities, and we want to ensure that today’s staff can continue to benefit as we once did.”

 

The ACE Professional Development Program was created to strengthen UCLA’s advising community by offering opportunities for continuous learning, community building, and intentional collaboration across the campus. Advisors play a crucial role in students’ academic journeys, helping them navigate requirements and academic policy, discover opportunities, and create meaningful pathways to graduation and beyond.

 

“We’re grateful to the Retirees Association for their generosity,” Gabra said. “Their support makes it possible for advisors to continue learning, growing, and supporting students with intention.”