Chancellor Julio Frenk shared this message with the Bruin community.
Dear Bruin Community:
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, we will observe Veterans Day to recognize the service and sacrifices of those who have worn the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces. This is a day to reflect on the values they uphold and to express our gratitude to them. It is also a day to honor the sacrifices of their support systems — the family members and loved ones who have stood by them each and every day.
Here at UCLA, we are proud to count many Veterans and military-connected individuals among our students, staff, faculty and alumni. They bring lived experience and leadership to our campus, as well as a deep commitment to the common good that connects our community in countless ways. This Thursday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m., we invite all Bruin Veterans, active servicemembers, ROTC students and military family members to join us for a special Veterans Day Celebration on campus. For more information, please contact EventRSVP@specialevents.ucla.edu.
Just as Veterans have served our country, UCLA is working to serve them. We are advancing service in multiple dimensions — on the VA campus in West Los Angeles, across the Greater Los Angeles region and throughout our main campus. Through our land-lease partnership with the VA and our campus-based programs, UCLA is ensuring that Veterans and their families find a welcoming, supportive home.
Through Veterans Initiatives & Partnerships (VIP), UCLA continues to build on its strong relationship with the VA, advancing shared goals that support Veteran health, well-being and community. The UCLA School of Law Veterans Legal Clinic has expanded staffing, increased outreach and launched new training programs in wills and advanced health care directives. It has assisted thousands of Veterans in securing millions of dollars in benefits. The UCLA Veteran Family Wellbeing Center strengthens Veteran families and communities through resilience training, wellness workshops and expressive arts programs. The Center of Excellence for Veteran Resilience and Recovery advances research, education and peer engagement to improve health and housing outcomes for Veterans. In addition, UCLA Health Operation Mend provides specialized health care for post-9/11 Veterans and service members, addressing both visible and invisible wounds of war.
UCLA is also enhancing education, career readiness and community life for Veterans. Partnerships with VIP and UCLA Extension, such as the Veteran Success Academy and Veteran Job Education and Training (VetJET), deliver communication, leadership and job-readiness training to support career transitions. Meanwhile, the Anderson School of Management’s Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans offers focused workshops on job search and career planning. And UCLA Athletics hosts Veteran-centered events, provides thousands of complimentary game tickets and funds scholarships for youth sport camps.
During their time on campus, our students find a welcoming home away from home at the UCLA Veteran Resource Center. Through its career development programs, graduate Veterans and military-connected students mentor undergraduates as they prepare for graduate school and explore their next steps after UCLA. The center also promotes academic success through peer tutoring and departmental office hours in partnership with the Center for Accessible Education, ensuring that students receive comprehensive academic support. Beyond the classroom, the center fosters connection and service through community engagement and volunteer opportunities, such as UCLA Volunteer Day at the Los Angeles National Cemetery and the Memorial Day Flag Pickup.
UCLA further strengthens quality of life for Veterans through recreation and service partnerships. From kayaking to climbing activities, these initiatives reflect UCLA’s holistic approach to serving those who have served. Together, they demonstrate our deep and enduring commitment to Veterans and their families.
Our Veterans come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and they are united by a shared commitment to something greater than themselves. Let us draw inspiration from their example of service and purpose.
We are One UCLA.
Julio Frenk
Chancellor