The Research, Assessment and Evaluation (RAE) unit maintains data on the Academic Advancement Program and AAP students while designing and implementing assessments and evaluations that examine their progress and outcomes. RAE supports a culture of research-informed decision-making by collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data related to AAP’s students and services. Our team of researchers provide data and data analysis support to all the AAP units, campus partners, and stakeholders to inform AAP initiatives and offerings.
AAP RAE also provides AAP students with the opportunity to engage independently and collaboratively with institutional research projects that can inform real world practices and decision-making within the program from data cleaning, coding, and visualization to analyses and report writing. Learn more about how to get involved under the Join Our Team tab.
Research – producing new knowledge “for AAP students, by AAP students”
Assessment – assess students’ experiences throughout the academic year to inform real-time changes
Evaluation – examine student experiences
RAE 2023-2024 TEAM
Alice Ho is the Director of Research, Assessment and Evaluation in UCLA’s Academic Advancement Program (AAP) where she oversees many initiatives, including the Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars Program, that support first-generation, low-income undergraduate students of color as they prepare for graduate school. She also serves as the Curriculum Coordinator of UCLA’s Freshmen and Transfer Summer Programs and leads AAP’s research and assessment efforts. In the Division, she has also worked with the Center for Educational Assessment where she managed UCLA’s Senior Survey and worked on assessments of undergraduate curriculum, programs, and various grant initiatives. She has extensive institutional research, consulting, and leadership experience. She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Education - Human Development and Psychology and her B.A. in Psychology with an Education minor, all from UCLA. She is a proud AAP alum who is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.
Academic Advancement Program
Feliz Quinones is the Assistant Director of AAP Research, Assessment and Evaluation, where she coordinates the management, development, and administration of AAP-wide survey efforts and assessment projects. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and her Ph.D. and M.A. in Education, with a concentration in Human Development and Psychology, from UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. Prior to joining RAE, Feliz was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Human Development and taught research methods at California State University, Dominguez Hills. She brings extensive research, mentoring, and teaching experience to the RAE team.
Academic Advancement Program
Yadira Valencia is a doctoral candidate in the Social Science and Comparative Education division (Race and Ethnic Studies specialization at UCLA GSE&IS). She is the cohort coordinator of the UndocuBruins Research Program that is hosted in the Academic Advancement Program at UCLA. Additionally, she is a Graduate Student Researcher for the RAE Unit within AAP. Currently, her research looks at redefining violence that Chicanas and Latinas encounter in their graduate program and analyzing their healing methods as resistance.
Academic Advancement Program
Camille Smith is a Ph.D. student in Higher Education and Organizational Change at UCLA. As a budding research, assessment and evaluation professional, she seeks to supply research and data for informed decision-making on college campuses. She applies psychological theory to advocate for student success, social justice in higher education and the empowerment of underrepresented minorities on college campuses. She comes to UCLA from the University of Michigan where she completed her master’s degree in Higher Education Institutional Research. She obtained her bachelor’s in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from USC.
Academic Advancement Program
Akayla Matthews is a first-year undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience with a possible minor in African American Studies. Akayla is from the Bay Area and got involved in AAP through the Freshman Summer Program, and remained involved through PLFs and peer counselors. She’s extremely passionate about social justice and helping marginalized communities through service and community outreach. In her free time, Akayla loves to cook, travel, play sports, and spend time with her family.
Academic Advancement Program
Carlos Torres is a first-year transfer student (Junior) majoring in Cultural Anthropology and a minor in Chicano Studies. He is from the Ventura County area where he was born and raised, and is a proud transfer student from Moorpark College. In addition to his involvement on campus as a RAE Undergraduate Research Assistant, he is a member of Mecha and Salsa Society. He is also the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leader in Residence for UCLA for the 2023-2024 academic year, so if you have any questions about the services, internships, scholarships, and programs offered by HACU, please don’t hesitate to reach out! His educational goals include graduating from UCLA and pursuing a master’s degree in counseling or education, preferably working within the community college system. In his free time, he enjoys napping, escaping to the astral plane, listening to music, trying different foods, traveling, watching movies, spending time with close friends and family, and playing Chess.
Academic Advancement Program
Amara Azaka is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Cognitive Science with a minor in Spanish. She was born and raised in Hawthorne, CA, located in Los Angeles County. She has been a part of AAP since her freshman year in 2021 through the Freshman Summer Program. She continued to be a part of AAP through Peer Learning Sessions for extra support in her math and science classes. On campus, she is currently involved in a social STEM sorority called Phi Sigma Rho and is also a part of AAP’s High AIMS Program. She currently works for UCLA Housing as a Front Desk Agent where she acts as the first point of contact with residents who have any questions or concerns. She is currently interested in wanting to pursue a career in healthcare or technology, or maybe even a mix of both! Some of her hobbies include going to the beach and playing beach volleyball, and shopping.
Academic Advancement Program
William Benson (He, Him, His) is a passionate first-generation second-year transfer student, currently pursuing a major in Sociology with a minor in African American Studies. Originally from Los Angeles, William is a proud transfer student from Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC). William is actively engaged in various extracurricular activities on campus. He serves as a Research Assistant with the RAE team, contributing his skills and dedication to the advancement of research initiatives within his field of study. He became involved in AAP through the Summer Transfer Program. Furthermore, William plays a crucial role as a peer advisor for the Center for Community College Partnerships. Within this capacity he oversees the LASC cohort, offering guidance and support to fellow transfer students as they navigate their academic journey at a four-year university. Additionally, William is a proud participant in the Bunche Fellows Program, where he continues to expand his academic horizons and contribute to scholarly discourse as an undergraduate student.
Academic Advancement Program
Nana Gwira is a third year undergraduate student majoring in political science. He was originally born in Tema, Ghana but moved to the US when he was three years old and has lived in Riverside California ever since. He is involved in the Black Fitness Society on campus and plans on joining more organizations in the future. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Nana plans on pursuing a career in business analytics in hopes of launching his own business in the future. In his free time, Nana likes to make clothes, listen to music, and play basketball.
Academic Advancement Program
Kira Imazu is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Education Studies. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, she is a proud transfer from Moorpark College. On UCLA’s campus, she spends her time organizing community service projects in Westwood through Mortar Board Senior Honor Society and pursuing her passion for psychology through Psi Chi - International Honor Society. As an RA, she is interested in educational psychology and specifically how organizations like AAP can best empower students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to succeed in their time at college. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, journaling, and sharing a good meal with friends.
Academic Advancement Program
Sun Jae Lee is a second year transfer student from Irvine Valley College. Initially a theater tech major, they are currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in Asian American studies. In addition to research, they are involved in Fashion and Student Trends as an editorial photographer. In their free time, they enjoy exploring the city using public transportation. You can find them at a local coffee shop with 2+ drinks (one for hydration, one for caffeine).
Academic Advancement Program
Erika Pesca (they/them) is a first-generation second-year transfer student majoring in Philosophy with a minor in Art History. They transferred from Fullerton College in 2022 after completing their A.A. in Philosophy. They first got involved in AAP through the Transfer Summer Program where they got acquainted with the plethora of resources available such as the peer learning sessions, graduate mentoring program, and retention services.
Academic Advancement Program
Angelique Rubio is a 2nd year undergraduate student majoring in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Neuroscience. Angelique is a proud first-generation college student involved in several organizations on campus, including Hermanas Unidas, IGNITE and the Association of First-Generation Undergraduates. She began her involvement with AAP through the Freshmen Summer Program and has continued to participate in the program through Peer Learning Sessions and her involvement as a Research Assistant. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and playing volleyball.
Academic Advancement Program
Lucero Sanchez is a senior majoring in Geography and International Development Studies, and minoring in Geospatial Information Systems and Urban Studies. She is from Lima, Peru. At UCLA, she is currently conducting a research project on the experiences of mobility of UCLA LGBTQIA+ international students in Los Angeles. She also works at the College Academic Counseling Department as a Peer Counselor. In the future, she would like to attend graduate school and get a degree in Urban Planning. In her free time, she likes to read and style herself.
Academic Advancement Program
Amayrani is a junior at UCLA studying Education & Social Transformation at UCLA. She hopes to one day own a Nonprofit Organization. A resident of Huntington Beach, CA, Amayrani grew up with a passion for running, cooking, and photography. Amayrani considers herself determined and understanding with a flair for time management. On campus, she has been a part of the Academic Advancement Program for three years and is excited to be joining AAP’s RAE team. Her greatest challenge has been her experience as a first-generation college student. The responsibility and pressure of holding that title have been overwhelming for her, but mentors like Stephanie, from Stepping UP, and Carolina from her former high school, have been major pillars in her success.
Academic Advancement Program
Sarahy (she/ella) is a first-generation fourth-year student majoring in Chicana/o and Central American Studies and Education and Social Transformation from Oxnard, CA. She has been involved in AAP through the Freshman Summer Program, peer learning sessions, graduate mentoring, and the Educators for Tomorrow Program. On campus, she is part of the UCLA Alumni Scholars Club. Outside campus, she is associated with the Student California Teachers Association, Association of Mexican American Educators, and Nyeland Promise. Her career interests lie in the professoriate. She is passionate about empowering first-generation students from agricultural backgrounds to pursue higher education. Her research interests include spatial geography, critical race theory, K-16 education, migrant education, and farmworker movements.
Academic Advancement ProgramRAE 2022-2023 TEAM
