Brief History

The Community Programs Office was established in 1970 as a service-learning department providing educational and volunteer support to communities in Los Angeles. Over the past 50 years, the CPO has grown and evolved to address the academic, professional, and personal development needs of UCLA students. In the 1980s, the office focused on student-initiated experiential learning programs developed by student organizations to address clearly defined project priorities identified through student-led assessments. By the late 1980s and 1990s, it expanded to include initiatives led by professional staff and student employees aimed at improving academic persistence and successful degree completion.

In response to changes in statewide policies in the late 1990s, the CPO broadened its mission to include college preparation programs. During this time, the CPO Student Association was formed to coordinate and support community service initiatives in collaboration with student government, funding committees, and campus leadership.

The late 1990s and early 2000s were a period of significant growth for the CPO, driven by student initiative and leadership. The SPARC referendum, passed in 2000, led to the creation of the Student Activities Center, which became the new home for the CPO and other key campus services. The referendum also facilitated the expansion of office spaces and services, with students and staff actively contributing to its planning and implementation.

Under new leadership in the 2000s, the CPO introduced new services such as commuter ride programs, leadership development opportunities, and basic needs support, including the CPO Food Closet. The 2010s brought further growth, with the launch of new programs supporting academic success and student health and wellness. In 2015, the CPO began leading the Basic & Essential Needs Committee and later introduced programs such as the Turkey and Holiday Food Box initiative, which supports students, staff, and faculty.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the CPO took on a leadership role in addressing basic needs across campus, implementing grocery card programs, expanding food distribution, and providing support for students in a variety of circumstances, including those with dependents and those studying internationally. These efforts culminated in the creation of the Basic & Essential Needs Collective in 2022, which consolidated and enhanced the department’s services.

In 2021 and 2022, a shift in the department’s mission led to a more defined focus on department-sponsored student success initiatives, student health and well-being programs, community service programs, leadership development, experiential education, campus events, and an expanded role as the university’s original and largest basic and essential needs center.

Today, the Community Programs Office (CPO) serves as a hub for student engagement, offering programs that foster academic success, leadership development, and service to the campus and broader community. Through its many initiatives, CPO provides resources and opportunities that support all students to thrive both on campus and beyond. With a longstanding commitment to open access, CPO remains a resource to every undergraduate, graduate, and professional student while serving as a valuable resource for the entire UCLA community. Proud of its rich history, CPO continues to cultivate curiosity, expand knowledge and skills, and inspire creativity among students and community members alike.

CPO Leadership Staff Over the Years

Check out the former leadership team of the Community Programs Office over the last 30 years.

Former CPO Director Tim Ngubeni at CPO Welcome (Oct 18, 2016)

CPO Staff Pandemic Era Holiday Card, December 2020