UCI-OC Alliance turns 5

At a recent celebration of the UCI-OC Alliance's fifth anniversary, scholarship recipient Yaslin Carrasco walked to the podium, opened a folded piece of paper and began to read, her voice soft but the message strong.

The daughter of immigrants and proud first-generation Oaxaqueña, the third-year nursing student shared her personal trajectory. "When I left for college, my mother repeated something she'd told me and my siblings throughout our childhood," said the 20-year-old, who grew up in a mobile home park in Fresno. "El que no se embarca no se marea. (He who doesn't set sail doesn't get seasick.) Growth requires risk, and if we do not step onto the boat, we will not feel any type of seasickness, but we will also not feel the waves that might carry us somewhere new. My journey began when I 'stepped onto the boat' and came to UC Irvine."

Carrasco is one of hundreds of students who are part of the UCI-OC Alliance, a trustee-guided, university-driven community organization facilitated by the Office of Educational & Community Partnerships to advance UC Irvine as a Latino-thriving institution through engaging and supporting Latino students, staff and faculty.

"The alliance gave me a sense of belief by choosing to invest in me and giving back to students who look like me," Carrasco continued, looking up at the banquet room filled with local leaders, Orange County Superior Court judges, UC Irvine Foundation trustees, founding members and co-chairs of the alliance, and UC Irvine leadership that included deans and Chancellor Howard Gillman.

Five years ago, what started as just an idea became the UCI-OC Alliance. Now that vision has grown into a powerful movement defined by impact, connection and student success.

From its inception, the alliance set out to enhance the UC Irvine student experience by building bridges between the university and Orange County's professional and philanthropic communities.

"We needed to address the challenge that was in front of us," said UC Irvine Foundation trustee Dean Yoost, UCI-OC Alliance co-founder and former co-chair, at the event. "We needed more of the Latino community on campus to benefit students - that was absolutely critical - and we could not fail. Whatever we started, we had to complete, and the dream was what we have tonight."

The alliance recognized that university access alone was not enough; students needed meaningful support systems, cultural affirmation and pathways to opportunity.

"What we've been able to do in five years is create an organization that does not exist and has not existed at any other UC campus connecting a dedicated group of the most senior and accomplished Latino leaders across many different industries in the county with the academic mission of the university," said Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, vice provost for educational and community partnerships. "Students get a chance not only to learn about the industry that they want to become a part of but to build personal relationships with leaders in the field."

Pamina Barkow '03, EMBA '13, alliance co-chair and CEO of PI Medical Partners, reflected on the organization's progress with pride and gratitude. As attendees watched a series of slides showcasing milestones, she noted that the work was collective. "Together, we have created opportunities that weren't there before for first-generation students and underserved students who previously didn't have voices," she said. "Hopefully, they can go on to have opportunities to be leaders of our society. If we've done that, we've really left the legacy that we're looking to."

One of the earliest and most significant accomplishments was the creation of the Latinx resources guide, developed in partnership with the campus's Latinx Resource Center and its leadership. The guide has brought together more than 140 programs dedicated to supporting the Latino community, offering students a centralized and accessible way to find outlets tailored to their academic, professional and personal growth.

In addition, more than 500 students have participated in alliance events such as Anteater Cenas - two- to four-person dinners hosted by individual members - student gatherings and company site tours.

Co-chair Eloy Ortiz Oakley '96, MBA '99, CEO of the College Futures Foundation, highlighted another cornerstone of the organization's success: its financial investment in students. The alliance has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships to nearly 100 students. "To be a leader of the alliance in these times means committing yourself to supporting our students, particularly those who are facing tremendous challenges today and going forward into the future - whether those challenges are political, cultural or financial," Oakley said.

For the UCI-OC Alliance's students, the scholarships do more than ease financial burdens; they empower them to pursue their ambitions with confidence. Through community partner membership dues and contributions, the alliance supports research opportunities, leadership development and career transition programs - ensuring that students are able to not only attend UC Irvine but thrive while there.

What makes these achievements possible is the strength of the community behind them. The alliance is the first and only campus program led by university trustees, with nine active, engaged members guiding its mission. Over time, 62 professionals have joined the organization, bringing their expertise, networks and passion.

The story of the UCI-OC Alliance, however, is not just about numbers or programs; it's about transformation. It's about the first-generation college student who finds mentorship at an Anteater Cena and begins to envision a future in a field they once thought out of reach. It's about the student who receives a scholarship and can focus on their studies instead of financial stress. It's about the sense of belonging that grows when students see their identities reflected and celebrated within their university community.

Looking ahead, the UCI-OC Alliance is poised to expand its reach and deepen its impact. Building on its principles, the alliance aims to increase scholarship funding, broaden access to career pathways and strengthen partnerships with industries across Orange County. There is also a continued focus on innovation - developing new programs that respond to the evolving needs of students and the workforce.

As the celebration drew to a close, one message stood above all others: The work is far from finished. Five years have laid a strong foundation, but the true measure of the UCI-OC Alliance will be in how it continues to grow and serve future generations.

"I'm an immigrant from Chile. My own education was through UC Irvine. It opened up doors for me," Barkow said. "Sometimes people ask why I'm involved with the UCI-OC Alliance. I'm involved because I got a lending hand when I needed it. Now I'm lending a hand to others."