UCLA Samueli Kicks Off 2024-25 Academic Year with Engineering Welcome Day for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

One day before the start of instruction, the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering hosted more than 1,100 new first-year, transfer and graduate students at two separate events Sept. 25.

The schoolwide undergraduate Engineering Welcome Day, held in the Court of Sciences, was attended by more than 700 freshman and transfer students. The annual, half-day program was organized by the school’s student-run umbrella organization, the Engineering Society at UCLA (ESUC), along with the school’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

“I think that new technology not only solves the problems but also creates the new way people live and how society evolves. We are creating a whole new world,” Dean Ah-Hyung “Alissa” Park said.

The graduate student orientation, hosted by student affairs officers and departmental staff with the help of the Engineering Graduate Student Association (EGSA), welcomed more than 400 incoming master’s and Ph.D. students. The daylong program began in the La Kretz auditorium, with participants in overflow rooms and on Zoom. For the first time in five years, the graduate orientation was held primarily in person following the COVID-19 pandemic.Both the undergraduate and graduate programs featured speeches from school and student leadership, academic advisors, career counselors and alumni representatives.

UCLA Samueli Dean Ah-Hyung “Alissa” Park, who took the helm of the school last year as the Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean, addressed students at both welcome events, following her appearance at the campuswide new student welcome event Sunday afternoon in Pauley Pavilion, where she spoke to more than 7,000 newly admitted first-year UCLA students. On Wednesday, Park congratulated the latest cohort of Bruin engineers on their admission to UCLA and offered advice for personal and professional growth in an era of rapid technology advancement.

“I think some of you may have heard in the past that engineers are amazing problem solvers; we are. We know how to solve the existing problems or even new problems,” Park said. “But I think there’s an additional thing happening in engineering. I think that new technology not only solves the problems but also creates the new way people live and how society evolves. We are creating a whole new world.”

Other speakers included Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Richard Wesel and Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Faculty Affairs Veronica Santos. Associate Dean of Research and Physical Resources Robert Candler spoke at the graduate orientation.

Charmaine Tan, a fourth-year bioengineering student and president of ESUC, opened the undergraduate program with a speech reminding fellow engineering students about the benefits of connecting with their peers, including getting involved in UCLA’s 1,300-plus student-run organizations. She also encouraged the new students to embrace “horizontal growth” by exploring the variety of opportunities open to them.

“Whether you are joining a dance team or picking up a Spanish minor, each of these interactions can lead you to unexpected interests or opportunities,” Tan said. “Remember this is a time for exploration, and every step, whether it feels like progress or a detour, contributes to your personal and academic growth.”

At the graduate orientation, EGSA president Joseph Hwang, an electrical and computer engineering doctoral student, spoke of the association’s mission to help amplify student voices and foster an inclusive and welcoming UCLA Samueli community, with a focus on increased awareness for mental health.

“Remember this is a time for exploration, and every step, whether it feels like progress or a detour, contributes to your personal and academic growth,” said Charmaine Tan, president of the Engineering Society at UCLA.

Undergraduate students had the opportunity to further explore South Campus through a scavenger hunt and tours guided by engineering student ambassadors. The activity was hosted by MentorSEAS, an undergraduate organization that matches every incoming engineering student with a mentor of the same major to help navigate their first year at UCLA.

The undergraduate event also featured the Engineering Exploration Fair, where dozens of student organizations set up booths to showcase their latest projects as club members recruit new students to join their teams.

“Definitely take advantage of the opportunity of talking to the clubs that are here,” said Mia Irvin-Pollard, a fourth-year electrical engineering student and president of the UCLA chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. “Pick their brain on anything. We are here to help you and give you the best UCLA experience.”

Of the school’s nearly 110 student organizations and honor societies, many are focused on offering professional resources and academic support, while others aim to increase community outreach and service. There are also numerous student organizations working on designing and building innovative technical projects and competing regionally and nationally.

Dean Alissa Park at the wheel of a Bruin Formula Racing car

Sofie Hagen-Smith, a second-year civil engineering student, joined Engineers Without Borders — an organization that supports community-driven development programs worldwide by designing and implementing sustainable engineering projects — after attending the fair last year.

“Step out of your comfort zone. Even if something sounds like you would never really try, it’s always worth trying something to see if you like it,” Hagen-Smith said. “The worst that would happen is you learn something. This is the time to explore and find stuff out.”

In the afternoon, academic units, including the school’s seven departments and the schoolwide Master of Engineering program, each hosted their own orientation programs for new graduate students.

For those who didn’t have a chance to attend Engineering Welcome Day, it’s never too late to get involved in the UCLA Samueli community — a list of engineering-focused clubs, abundant research opportunities, internship programs and more can be found on the school’s main website.

Brynn Beatty and Chloe Nelson contributed to this story.