CHAIR’S LETTER
Dear UCLA Chancellor’s Society members,
It is a true honor to introduce myself to you as Chair of the UCLA Chancellor’s Society.
Like many of you, my UCLA story began as a student. Some of my favorite memories were made on this campus, and the friendships, opportunities and experiences I found here continue to shape my life today. My wife, Jen, and I will always be grateful for the role UCLA has played in our lives, and I know many of you share a similar connection to this extraordinary place.
While each of our individual UCLA stories is unique, they all reflect a larger narrative we share: a deep appreciation for the institution that instilled in us the values of education and community. That’s why giving back feels particularly meaningful. Philanthropy is our opportunity to ensure that future generations of Bruins experience the same sense of possibility that we did.
This is an important moment for our university. As UCLA navigates significant challenges, including one of the most strenuous financial periods the institution has faced in decades, it would be easy to assume these hardships belong to someone else to solve. I believe the opposite. As Bruins, we’ve always shown up for each other, and this is another moment for us to do the same.
That spirit is at the heart of the Chancellor’s Society. For sixty years, the Chancellor’s Society has been the primary UCLA donor recognition program for those who give at least $1,000 annually, creating opportunities for supporters to identify and deepen their philanthropic impact in the areas most important to them across campus. Beyond recognizing leadership giving, we are a community that connects generous, like-minded people through ongoing programming and showcases the groundbreaking work of UCLA’s faculty and staff. Together, we champion the ideas, people and discoveries that define this extraordinary institution.
Thank you for your generosity, partnership and unwavering belief in UCLA. I look forward to working alongside you in the years ahead as we continue supporting the university that has given so much to us all.
Go Bruins!
With gratitude,
Russ Reyes ’94
Chair, UCLA Chancellor’s Society
UCLA CHANCELLOR’S SOCIETY: CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS
As the academic year gets underway, recent news from across campus reflects the breadth of UCLA’s work and impact. Art professor Rodney McMillian has been named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for creativity and innovation. UCLA is also leading a major expansion of Southern California’s quantum technology ecosystem through a $9.7 million state investment supporting research, workforce development and industry collaboration. And the latest UCLA Anderson Forecast offers new perspective on the economy, finding continued growth nationally and in California despite persistent inflation and a challenging labor market.
We share with you some of the latest stories from across UCLA:
UCLA is the nation’s No. 1 public university
The art of ‘genius’: UCLA’s Rodney McMillian wins a MacArthur Fellowship
UCLA-led SoCal Quantum Alliance receives $9.7 million state investment
UCLA Anderson Forecast sees resilient growth despite inflation, weak labor markets
To keep up with UCLA in the news, please visit the UCLA Newsroom.
UCLA CHANCELLOR’S SOCIETY: EVENTS
This spring and summer brought Chancellor’s Society members together for a wide range of programs and gatherings. From a weekend at Lake Arrowhead Lodge to evenings at the South Bay campus and Los Angeles Zoo, members had the opportunity to hear from faculty, explore new ideas and enjoy time with one another beyond campus.
We also celebrated our Ambassadors and Chancellor’s Cabinet members and hosted two summer socials, offering more informal opportunities to reconnect throughout the season.
Here are a few highlights from the past several months.
STUDENT HIGHLIGHT
Meet Zoe F. ’28
Future Diplomat & Educator
For Zoe, language has become a powerful way to build understanding across cultures and create meaningful change.
What began at UCLA as an interest in history evolved into a passion for a transcultural mindset, diplomacy, and fostering connection through cultural exchange.
Through her studies in Russian and French, Zoe has developed a deep appreciation for the power of language and cultural exchange to foster a transcultural mindset. Her work at the UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture, her role as a Student Ambassador for the European Languages and Transcultural Studies Department, and her leadership as founder of the Hellenic Culture Club have enabled her to create opportunities for others to engage with culture, build community and cultivate belonging.
Scholarship support has given her the confidence to pursue ambitious academic and professional goals while easing financial concerns for her family.
The impact of that generosity extends beyond a single student. Zoe’s older brother also received the same scholarship while pursuing aerospace engineering at UCLA, demonstrating how donor support can transform opportunities for entire families across a wide range of fields.
Inspired by the communities she has found and built at UCLA, Zoe hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy, using language and cultural understanding to foster empathy, strengthen international relationships and help create a more connected world.
AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHT
Meet Caroline Smith
Caroline Smith is a double UCLA alumna, earning her B.S. in Anthropology and later her MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. She has remained actively involved with UCLA throughout her career through alumni leadership, philanthropy, volunteer service and guest lecturing.
Her UCLA involvement has included serving as President of the UCLA Anderson Alumni Los Angeles Chapter, participating in UCLA volunteer leadership and serving in leadership roles with the UCLA Chancellor’s Society, including the Collaboration Committee.
What do UCLA and the Department of Anthropology mean to you?
UCLA has been part of my life for a very long time. I received both my undergraduate degree and my MBA from UCLA, so my connection to the university spans different stages of my life and career.
Anthropology, in particular, gave me a way of looking at the world that I still use today. Understanding culture, how people organize themselves, how they make decisions, and how their environment shapes behavior is relevant far beyond anthropology itself. Those ideas have stayed with me throughout my career and provided a framework to be successful.
What does the UCLA Chancellor’s Society mean to you?
The Chancellor’s Society represents an amazing community of people who believe in UCLA and are dedicating in supporting its students, faculty, research, and the university’s broader mission.
What I appreciate about the Chancellor’s Society is that philanthropy at UCLA can take so many forms. People support the parts of the university that have meaning to them, and collectively those individual commitments can have an enormous impact.
For me, it is also another way to remain connected to a university that has given me a great deal.
Read Caroline’s full profile.
JOIN THE TEAM!
Become a Chancellor’s Society Ambassador! The UCLA Chancellor’s Society Ambassador program is available to any active Chancellor’s Society-level donor. There are several volunteer subcommittees that you can join to be an Ambassador. Activities can include making phone calls, writing letters, attending events, and taking part in call-a-thons. Ambassadors work with Chancellor’s Society staff and partner with campus groups (including professional schools, Alumni Association, Athletics and more) to support events and initiatives across campus and provide peer to peer engagement with donors.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lucy Tseng, Director, at chancellorssociety@support.ucla.edu.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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