Bright Minds, Bright Futures

June 23, 2023

Royce Hall, UCLA Campus

On June 23, UCLA Extension honored recent graduates from more than 100 of its professional certificate programs with a ceremony at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Over 700 students–plus many of the friends, family members, faculty and staff who supported them–were on hand for an event that celebrated scholarship, community, and the determination and resilience of continuing education students from all walks of life.

Dean of Continuing Education and UCLA Extension Eric A. Bullard presided over what he called his “favorite day of the year.” Joined on stage by academic deans and executive staff, Bullard congratulated graduates for “overcoming obstacles, balancing a workload with school and family commitments, and looking at the difficulty of completing a certificate.”

Stephen Cheung, a two-time UCLA graduate and the CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, delivered a commencement address. Drawing on his journey from working in sweatshops in Los Angeles as a child to studying psychobiology at UCLA, and eventually dedicating himself to public policy and social justice. “Sometimes it is just as important to explore and learn what you don’t want to do, and it is okay not to have your entire life all mapped out,” Cheung said.

In his closing remarks, Bullard welcomed graduates as “True Bruins” and official UCLA alumni. “Your time at UCLA Extension is just one small chapter in the story of your life, there is so much more ahead of you.”

Visit the online gallery to see more photos from the event, and watch a special video celebrating this year’s graduates on YouTube.

Explore all of our courses and certificates, in person, hybrid, or online: uclaextension.edu

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