Students in Koreatown, MacArthur Park and Pico-Union Area, typically do not have access to resources to better prepare them for college. The purpose of the study is to explore how KYCC programming impacts students’ aspirations for college. Education preparation programs can provide students with the support they need on their application, volunteer opportunities and develop transferable skills they can use on their journey. One barrier that some students may face are that these programs can be expensive and not accessible to all, especially those from low-income and first-generation families. My research question is "How do the youth see their participation in programs like KYCC affect their motivation to apply to college?" With the support and resources provided from non-profit organizations like KYCC, who have low or free tuition for families, we hope to see that the motivation develops more when students participate in these programs.

Student homelessness is an increasingly urgent issue on college campuses as tuition and housing costs continue to rise in the United States. Previous research has shown that housing insecurity undermines student well-being and academic performance by limiting access to basic needs and exacerbating mental health issues. Traditional shelters fail to meet the unique needs of students experiencing homelessness, highlighting the need for better solutions. This study explores the efficacy of the student-run shelter as it is implemented at a large public university in California, in providing social and academic support to undergraduate students experiencing homelessness. Past residents were given an exit-interview consisting of open and closed ended questions upon leaving the shelter from 2018-2019 and 2020-2023 to self-report their experience. Demographic information was provided at the discretion of the participant in order to ensure confidentiality. Qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the shelter model’s impact and ability to address the needs of student residents. Findings revealed a strong preference for the student-run model, with residents emphasizing the value of peer staff in creating a safe and academically supportive environment and assisting with long-term housing. The student-run shelter model therefore offers an effective framework to improve the academic success and long-term stability of students facing homelessness at college campuses nationwide.

Geographic location, specifically whether individuals live in urban or rural environments, significantly impacts the lives of the autistic community. Autistic individuals in urban settings often struggle to navigate built environments designed primarily for neurotypical populations. This can result in reduced access to beneficial resources such as green spaces, public transportation, and calming environments, while increasing the risk of sensory overload due to noise, crowding, and overstimulation. In contrast, autistic individuals in rural areas may face barriers related to the scarcity of specialized support services, such as medical care and educational resources. This study aims to explore the specific disparities autistic individuals face in both urban and rural environments. Using a historical ethnographic approach, this study investigates long-standing environmental and structural issues in both settings. A series of qualitative interviews were then conducted with Los Angeles-based families of autistic individuals and special education directors from Wish Charter School and The Help Group. These interviews provided first hand insight into how these barriers impact the well-being and autonomy of autistic children and adults. This research is ongoing and results are not finalized. However, addressing these disparities through comparative analysis underscores the urgent need for targeted, location-specific policy interventions to foster more inclusive environments for autistic individuals, regardless of where they live.

Dermatological at UCLA is a public health initiative that provides accessible resources to the Los Angeles community through various initiatives such as educational outreach across underserved schools and donations of hand-packed skincare kits to unhoused individuals. Most recently, we also earned UCLA recognition as a Skin Smart Campus from the National Council of Skin Cancer Prevention, which provided two sunscreen dispensers for students, faculty, and visitors. While increasing sunscreen access is essential to protecting more individuals from dangerous UV rays, it is also important to ensure that users are applying an adequate amount of sunscreen for proper protection. A previous study conducted by Broussard et. al analyzed participants’ ability to apply the correct surface density of sunscreen as determined by the Food and Drug Administration (2 mg/cm2) using aerosol sunscreen. OBJECTIVES: We aim to conduct a similar study using the liquid sunscreen provided in our dispensers by obtaining data through voluntary assessments. METHODS: Users will voluntarily provide relevant demographic information, their experience with the dispensers, their frequency and location of application, and the amount used. RESULTS & SIGNIFICANCE: This assessment will provide qualitative data regarding sunscreen accessibility and usage at UCLA, which will inform Dermatological’s education initiatives by revealing gaps in knowledge and access.

Women make up more than half the student population at colleges, yet they make up less than 50% of student-athletes. While there has been an increase in fighting gender inequalities between athletes, limited research centers on resource allocation and pay disparities. This study, conducted in partnership with the LA84 Foundation, seeks to investigate, through the female college athlete perspective, how different upbringings have influenced their interest in pursuing college sports. Utilizing a quantitative survey method approach, the study collects demographic information and open-ended questions from cis-gender female college athletes. Preliminary findings indicate that these athletes play sports because they garner a sense of pride and joy from the sport, in addition to increased levels of wellbeing and confidence, all while combating issues of patriarchy and discrimination. Possible implications of this project include justification for the need for new legislation and programs, and a greater need to create a pipeline for high school athletes to persist into collegiate sports and intramural sports.