the achievement award program
Meet the 2023 – 2024 Cohort of The Achievement Award Program (TAAP)
The Achievement Award Program supports high-achieving, community-minded, low-income, first-generation college students in their pursuit of a UC Berkeley education. The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) congratulates all twenty-two members of our incoming 2023 – 2024 Alumni Scholar cohort.
To Receive Is to Give: TAAP Scholars’ Legacy of Service
TAAP Scholars John Lam ’24 and Alishba Sardar ’23 both came from nontraditional education backgrounds. Their experiences laid the groundwork for their advocacy efforts.
Becoming Yourself through the Struggle
As a first-generation student from a low-income background, Jayden Zheng ’23 attributes the resources and support he found at Cal for allowing him to achieve his goals.
Building Hope
Alishba Sardar ’23 found community and empowerment at Cal as a foster youth through Berkeley Hope Scholars.
The Tale of Two Scholars: A Mentorship Story
By Chinwe OniahAs one of a few Filipino students at Cal, Jesse Ante ’68, M.S. ’70, guided himself through his own path toward success. Years later, his mentorship supported Rona Osmani ’06 as she paved her own Cal journey.
Finding Your Story
TAAP and TLA Scholar Neil Arcellana ’24 shares his story of overcoming obstacles and hopes to advocate for other students facing similar challenges.
“Pursue Your Dreams Fearlessly”: An Entrepreneur’s Wisdom for Graduating Scholars
Ten years ago, I was exactly where you are right now: graduating with big dreams and aspirations ahead.
Yuner Evelyn Lu ’21 Urges Class of 2021 to Realize Its Power
I’m a senior studying electrical engineering and computer science at Cal, and I am honored to share my UC Berkeley journey with you.
What Pedro De Anda Plascencia ’21 Wants His Fifth-Grade Self to Know
Dear Fifth-Grade Pedro: I want to begin by telling you that I love you. You are valid, and you are worthy of love and protection.
A Letter from the Executive Director | Fall 2019
Reflections on an epoch-making year for diversity and student excellence
Creation of The Achievement Award Program
In 1996 California voters approved Proposition 209, which prohibited the consideration of race, ethnicity, or sex in the admission process at public universities. Immediately, the percentage of students at the University of California, Berkeley from low-income, minority communities decreased dramatically. As a result, the Cal Alumni Association (CAA), encouraged by Chancellor Robert Berdahl, formed a task […]
Freshman Scholar Takes Flight at Berkeley
Justin Hogenauer ’22 dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot, but when it came to choosing where to go to college, he wanted a top-tier school—one that provided the kind of broad academic, professional, and social advantages for which Cal is so well known. “The Air Force Academy was an option,” he says. “But the […]
