Bruin Excellence in Civic Engagement Awards celebrate alumni transforming communities

For many Bruins, the path from Westwood leads into lives of service. On Oct. 15, the UCLA Alumni Association honored 40 such alumni whose civic leadership - in transportation, justice, housing, education and more - reflects the very purpose of a public university.

Now in its second year, the Bruin Excellence in Civic Engagement Awards continues to grow as a platform that recognizes civic-minded alumni and strengthens connections among Bruins who dedicate their careers to the public good. The 2025 cohort reception, held at UCLA's James West Alumni Center, saw 30 of the 40 awardees return to campus for an evening that was both celebratory and reflective - a reminder that Bruins across generations carry the university's mission forward through service.

"Tonight, we gather not simply to bestow awards, but to reaffirm something essential: that civic leadership is indispensable to the health of our communities," said Natalie Samarjian, UCLA Alumni Association board member. "UCLA has a unique role in cultivating leaders who commit their knowledge, energy and values to the public good."

Samarjian, a 2023 award honoree, is president and CEO of Coro California, where she draws on her extensive legal and policy background to prepare emerging leaders for ethical and effective work in public affairs. Before joining Coro, she practiced employment and labor law and served as director of public service programs at UCLA School of Law, where she earned her J.D. in 2012. Samarjian also earned her bachelor's degree in communication studies and sociology from UCLA in 2006.

"This award is a testament to UCLA's belief that civic engagement is not an afterthought, but a calling - something that Bruins carry beyond their academic years, into roles where they steward public life, help anchor institutions, and lift communities," she said.

Service and validation

This year's honorees include Paul Henderson, executive director of the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability. Henderson, who earned his bachelor's degree in history at UCLA in 1990 before attending Tulane University School of Law, is a nationally recognized expert on criminal justice reform, advising leaders at every level on policing, equity and public safety.

"For UCLA specifically to be intentional about validating work from people at a very prestigious school who chose to focus their career, time, attention and public service in ways that were measured and meaningful for communities - it's the highest flattery," Henderson said.

Henderson, who previously served as chief of administration under then-District Attorney Kamala Harris and later as chief of administration for public safety and deputy chief of staff for San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, described the recognition as an affirmation of values that transcend traditional notions of achievement. Known for proudly displaying his Bruin spirit, Henderson often wears UCLA pins on his lapel and keeps a UCLA mug visible on his desk when appearing on television - subtle reminders, he says, of the community and education that shaped him. It's a small gesture that reflects his "UCLA for life" mentality.

"This is what UCLA has created," he said. "This is the impact that a UCLA degree has made, and it's measured not just in the success of the people being honored, but in the work that they've done. That distinction felt very important to me."

Upward mobility

Devon Deming, deputy executive officer of fare programs at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or Metro, was also recognized for her civic impact. In nearly 20 years across Los Angeles public transportation entities, Deming has helped demonstrate how infrastructure and equity are deeply intertwined - and how something as simple as a bus pass can transform opportunity.

"When I was an undergraduate student at UCLA, I was disowned by my family because I came out as a lesbian," said Deming, who earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1995. "I know that [disowning me] is a decision my parents regret, but at the time, it left me with no transportation and no financial safety net."

Deming, who earned a certificate in film writing from UCLA Extension this year, worked three jobs to support herself through school, relying on local L.A. buses to get to classes and work. "I would not have graduated from UCLA without public transportation. It provided me with a way to get around - and a community."

By overseeing Metro's Universal Student Pass Program, also known as U-Pass, and GoPass, Deming has helped sustain programs that provide discounted rides to more than a million students and low-income riders across Los Angeles County. She says inclusive transit policies can improve equity at every level - citing national data showing that free transit access can boost graduation rates and reduce barriers for families.

In addition to her work in public-facing programs, Deming has also been a leader within Metro, helping to launch and champion employee resource groups that support LGBTQ+ staff and foster belonging across the organization, among other initiatives.

Deming said her work is deeply tied to gratitude for her time at UCLA. "It is a huge honor for me to help solve problems that I faced as a student here and know that life will be a little easier for someone else because of the work I do," she said. "Being a Bruin doesn't end when you graduate. It's inspiring to see so many alumni doing great work that improves real people's lives."

Better together

The service award program, modeled after the Bruin Business 100 program, which recognizes UCLA alumni entrepreneurs, highlights how higher education can reaffirm its relevance and impact by lifting up the individuals and ideas that strengthen civic life.

Samarjian noted in her closing remarks to her peers that the honorees' example underscores to Bruins everywhere that leadership is a form of service. "In a time when institutions are under stress, public life often feels polarized and civic norms are tested." She emphasized that bridging differences, rebuilding trust and leading with moral clarity have never been more essential. "The Bruins we honor tonight are doing precisely that - acting not from ego or spotlight, but from service, grounded in values, committed to making systems better."

For Henderson, Deming and the many others recognized this year, that charge resonates deeply.

"UCLA provided such an amazing ecosystem for all of us to be successful," Henderson said. Seeing others succeed, he added, can be a powerful spark - a reminder that anyone can step forward and be part of that shared work of service. "The fact that UCLA not just celebrates it but talks about it allows other people to join those movements and to do more of it in ways that ultimately change the face of the communities that we all want to live in."