The evening of July 27 was an emotional one for participants in the School of Social Sciences Summer Academic Enrichment Program. For five weeks, the group of 20 highly motivated, first generation undergrads lived and studied together, dedicating themselves to 14+ hour days spent honing their research, analytic and communication skills. Their goal: to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a graduate or professional-degreed education. Under the direction of social sciences faculty, staff and graduate students, participants drafted policy memos on a number of issues including a proposed exit strategy for Afghanistan, poverty in the U.S., and UC’s admissions policies. They defended their positions and ideas in debates backed by formal research, and their successful efforts culminated in a formal ceremony at the University Club on July 27, marking the program’s 22nd class of graduates.

Congratulations to the following SAEP grads on a great program year!

• Stephanie Berganza
• Luis Bello
• Miguel Castro
• Sarahzin Chowdhury
• Mary Dueñas
• Chris Galeano
• Perneet Ghuman
• Hillary Patton
• Sharon Ho
• Brianna Jex
• Henry Kan
• David Martinez
• Lourdes Morales
• Anthony Pham
• Jose Quintana
• Sasha Sabherwal
• Bereket Shibeshi
• Karina Zavaleta-Abel

About SAEP:
Since its launch in 1991, SAEP has experienced a 97% UCI graduation rate. More than two-thirds of the program’s nearly 400 alumni have graduated from or are currently enrolled in M.A./Ph.D. programs, public policy and public health programs, law school and/or teaching programs at top tier universities including Stanford, USC, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan and Columbia, to name a few. More than two dozen SAEP alumni have graduated from the Kennedy School of Government and various Ph.D. and education programs at Harvard University. SAEP alumni can be found working and conducting research in government, non-profit and private sectors, and several teach at universities across the U.S. This past year, SAEP saw its first alumna to be hired as a UC Irvine faculty member with the addition of Maria Rendon in the School of Social Ecology.

Learn more about the program and check out photos from the 2012 cohort.