For many Bruin Engineers, graduation marks not an ending, but the beginning of a lifelong connection to UCLA Samueli. And for decades, the UCLA Engineering Alumni Association (EAA) has cultivated this connection through programs, activities, and opportunities that foster meaningful alumni engagement and strengthen the Bruin community at every stage.

For EAA, this connection extends to supporting students through the Engineering Student Projects Fund, helping them make the most of their education and gain experiences that can shape their futures. With nearly 150 student clubs and organizations at UCLA Samueli, this fund provides resources to bring projects to life, which range from underwater robotics and biomedical 3D printing to racecars and other student-designed technologies. Through alumni support, students are provided with the resources to explore ideas, build prototypes, and gain hands-on experience beyond the classroom.

The Engineering Student Projects Fund also complements a pitch process led by EAA, known as the EAA Student Projects Review, where student groups present their ideas directly to alumni and make the case for why their project deserves support. The process has the energy of a student version of Shark Tank: students explain what they want to accomplish, how they plan to use the funding and what the experience could mean for their education. Alumni listen, ask questions and engage with the students’ ideas before scoring them for funding recommendations.

For Calvin Cam’13, MBA ’23, President of the Engineering Alumni Association, supporting engineering student projects is a natural extension of his own experiences at UCLA Samueli:

“For the EAA board, supporting student projects is personal – every year, we help distribute funds at our Student Projects Review sessions. We know firsthand that these experiences define what it means to be a Bruin engineer from teamwork, creativity, and real-world problem-solving. It is an investment in that legacy, ensuring today’s students have the same transformative opportunities we did.” – Calvin Cam ’13, MBA ’23

“For the EAA board, supporting student projects is personal – every year, we help distribute funds at our Student Projects Review sessions. We know firsthand that these experiences define what it means to be a Bruin engineer from teamwork, creativity, and real-world problem solving. It is an investment in that legacy, ensuring today’s students have the same transformative opportunities we did.”

Student projects also provide a unique opportunity for alumni to see how today’s students are applying their education to real-world challenges. They support the freedom to explore, giving students the ability to pursue ideas, develop technical skills, and collaborate with peers across disciplines.

This spirit of exploration is especially meaningful to William Goodin, M.S. ’71, Ph.D. ’75, M.E. ’82, EAA board member, who has spent many years mentoring UCLA Samueli students:

“As alumni, we share a unique responsibility to uplift the students who follow in our footsteps. Engineering thrives on curiosity and hands-on exploration — and it is outside of the classroom and within student clubs that this spark truly comes alive.

After many years of mentoring UCLA Samueli students, I remain continually inspired by their drive to learn, create, and make a difference. Supporting the Engineering Student Projects Fund gives all of us the opportunity to help turn their ideas into meaningful impacts.

These projects provide Bruin engineers with invaluable hands-on experience, while strengthening their teamwork and problem-solving skills — qualities that will guide them throughout their careers.”

In many cases, a project begins as a simple concept and grows through countless hours of experimentation, iteration, and teamwork, which often requires sustained support. Students may need to purchase materials, build and rebuild prototypes, test their designs, and adapt as they encounter new challenges. Continued investment helps provide the foundation for this process and gives more students the chance to see their ideas through.

For Fred Rosenthal ’81, EAA board member, witnessing this process firsthand reinforced the importance of reliable resources for student teams:

“After witnessing the creativity on display at the EAA Project Review Sessions, we were reminded that innovation does not happen in a single moment, it grows with steady encouragement and reliable resources. Many of the student projects we saw unfolded over several years, requiring consistent financial support to move from the concept stage to real-world prototypes. A donation to the Engineering Student Projects Fund ensures that more students have access to the resources they need to explore, experiment, and push their ideas forward. By committing over several years, we can help create lasting momentum for the next generation of Bruin Engineers.”

Through engagement, mentorship, and philanthropy, the UCLA Engineering Alumni Association and its community of alumni continue to strengthen the connection between generations of Bruin engineers, helping shape what comes next by ensuring that today’s students can experiment, collaborate, create, and turn their ideas into real-world impact.

To learn more about or get involved with the Engineering Alumni Association, please visit the EAA website. To support the Engineering Student Projects Fund, visit the Fund’s donation page to make a gift.