On behalf of the faculty and staff of the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, welcome to the 2017-18 academic year!
I can’t think of a more wonderful place to be a student right now than at UCLA. There is an unmatched vibrancy here due in large part to the character and qualities each of you brings to campus. In addition to demonstrated academic success, you all have enormous energy, a strong work ethic and a burning desire to do great things. In short, you are Bruin Optimists. (You can learn more about what that means here: http://optimists.ucla.edu/.)
As we look forward to the new school year, I’d like to share some highlights you can expect at UCLA Samueli.
* We now offer a new major in Computer Engineering – administered jointly by the Computer Science and newly renamed Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. https://samueli.ucla.edu/new-ucla-computer-engineering-major/
* We have started WE@UCLA, a program that will support our female students. Women are underrepresented in engineering disciplines, and we are going to step up our efforts as a place where women can thrive. https://samueli.ucla.edu/oneal-to-lead-women-in-engineering-program/
* We are planning a great slate for the Ronald and Valerie Sugar Distinguished Speaker series, including alumni Mike Morhaime ’90, Blizzard Entertainment’s co-founder, president and CEO, and the school’s namesake Henry Samueli ’75, MS ’76, PhD ’80, co-founder of Broadcom Corporation and the CTO of Broadcom Limited. https://samueli.ucla.edu/speaker-series/
* The south wing of the new Engineering VI building will open in 2018 and will be home to the Computer Science Department.
You can also follow UCLA Engineering on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, and be sure to connect with me through my own personal Twitter account @JayathiMurthy.
Finally, I offer my own bits of advice for success. First, refine your time management skills. The quarter system goes by fast and staying on top of your studies will serve you well. And take advantage of office hours with your teaching assistants and professors. Second, college life is challenging. Do not hesitate to reach out for help, or offer your help when called upon. In particular, the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services office is here to support students’ needs in times of stress. http://www.counseling.ucla.edu/
But more than anything, have fun! Explore new ideas, make new friends, stretch your mind – this is your time. I look forward to seeing you on campus, and best wishes for a successful school year!
Jayathi Murthy
Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean