Jodi Anderson, M.A. '02, Ph.D. '06

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During my undergraduate years I was very involved in community service and at some point realized that while direct service in the community was and continues to be important, without political activity more fundamental social change would be elusive.

The first time I really became involved in political activities was when a professor at my undergraduate institution threw his hat into the race for the California Assembly. Walter Capps, a religious studies professor at UCSB, ran an inspirational campaign that truly tapped into college students’ desire to be engaged in the political process. He was an intelligent, diplomatic, articulate and thoughtful man – and I can remember thinking, “now this is somebody who we can feel proud to elect” – and we did get him elected.

In retrospect, I think I was drawn to Professor Capp’s campaign because of his strong support of educational issues. This was demonstrated not just in campaign speeches but in the way he lived his life and ultimately in his work as a Congressman. As you might have ascertained by now, for me, issues related to education are of particular interest. While I am not a full-time lobbyist on these issues, I do try to stay informed and involved year-round at the state and federal levels.

UCLA alumni & students gather to discuss future directions for educational research.

As a UCLA graduate student one way in which I have had the opportunity to make my voice heard is by working with Bruin Caucus. Over the last two years, we have traveled to both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to lobby for higher education issues. As alumni of UCLA, we have in common the fact that we have benefited from an excellent public higher education system. And I hope to do my part, however small, to ensure that future generations of Californians will have these same opportunities.