Supporting Empowerment through Mentorship and Inspiring Latine Liberation and Aspirations

The name "SEMILLA" was chosen because it represents growth, potential, and transformation. Just as a seed contains the promise of a future tree, our work is dedicated to planting the seeds of education, empowerment, and unity within our students.

We believe that mentorship, cultural pride, and community support are the nutrients that help students flourish. Whether through workshops, field trips, educational resources, or one-on-one mentorship, SEMILLA is here to nurture and support students as they grow academically and personally.

MISSION

SEMILLA is a student-run college & career access program from UCLA. Our mission is to bridge the gap between higher education and Latine communities. We have worked with high school students of all backgrounds since 1998, specifically those who come from low-income and/or first-generation families. We understand that these students have limited access to resources that help them be successful in higher education. Thus, SEMILLA aims to uplift, empower, and support the youth at our weekly site visits through skill building, peer advising, and through our project components of Familia, Field Trips, and Restorative & Transformative Justice.

GOALS

To create a safe environment for students to learn, grow, and be empowered
To promote education & raise critical consciousness
To increase the number of disadvantaged students attending higher education
To promote holistic development through self-determination & critical thinking
To develop a generation of youth ready to structurally transform the world around them
To ignite the spark in our youth & encourage them to pursue their goals, passions, and interests
To empower our youth in their journey toward higher education and social mobility.