UC Irvine Giving Day 2025

The mission of the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Center at UC Irvine is to cultivate a community of authentic student leaders who aspire to develop innovative, student-initiated outreach and retention programs that foster critical dialogue, mentorship and shift the educational paradigm to improve college access, readiness, and retention rates for historically marginalized communities in higher education. SOAR is a dynamic space that empowers student scholars through praxis to advocate and develop a transformative and equitable educational environment where students can use their education as a vehicle for social impact.

This Giving Day, your gift to the SOAR Legacy Fund will help SOAR support the following initiatives:

SOAR scholarships - SOAR students created this fund to support marginalized, underserved student communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and during national protests against systemic anti-Blackness. To address the financial, emotional, and educational needs of many of our students, this scholarship is geared towards students who are participants of the Umoja program, active members involved with the SOAR Center or the Center for Black Cultures, Resources, and Research,  or engaged in efforts that support the Black community at UCI. Students are eligible for financial support up to $1,000.

SOAR Laptop Loan program - Initiated by students of the SOAR Center to provide technology support to students facing financial insecurities after the pandemic. Providing students with laptops allows us to meet the needs of a continuing hybrid learning environment. This program is a continuation of that legacy to continue supporting the technological needs of students at UCI who experience financial hardships to purchase a personal laptop for classes.

Book grants - One of SOAR’s core values is access. One of the barriers students face in higher education is affordability. This grant is aimed at decreasing students' financial burden when purchasing book materials or critical school supplies. Seven scholarships ($200 per individual) will be awarded quarterly. Book grants are open to all undergraduate students.

Thank you for supporting the Student Outreach and Retention Center this Giving Day!