The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) named UCLA a winner of its 13th annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) Awards, which recognize excellence and leadership in planning, implementing and evaluating programs and initiatives that support regional economic development and engagement.

UCLA won the IEP Talent Award, which honors exemplary initiatives in education and workforce development. This national recognition celebrates several transformational workforce development and upskilling programs in fields such as medical, legal, education, data science and counseling.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the APLU for our efforts to help people grow throughout their careers,” UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk said. “That commitment speaks to our UCLA for Life initiative, which advances our belief that education should continue across every stage of life. These efforts connect communities to the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a changing world.”

The IEP Talent Award elevated three UCLA programs as effective examples to be emulated across the country:

  • To address a national shortage of skilled medical assistants, UCLA launched a medical assistant program in 2017 as a joint program between UCLA Extension and UCLA Health. The program provides a pathway for students to learn valuable skills and transition seamlessly into allied health careers by integrating rigorous academic coursework with real-world clinical experience. Nearly 200 students have completed the program since it launched, with 100% of graduates passing the National Certified Medical Assistant exam.
  • For five decades, UCLA Extension’s paralegal training program has provided students with a thorough understanding of the functions and ethics needed in an ever-growing profession. Recognized by employers throughout Los Angeles and beyond, the program qualifies graduates to become paralegals under the California Business & Professions Code §6450.
  • Since 2020, the university has overseen UCLAxCareerBridge, a program to prepare adult learners for in-demand careers in early childhood education, data science and substance abuse counseling. The program uses state funding to remove the financial barriers of tuition and books, while providing additional supportive services such as a dedicated student success coach. Each certificate program covers a specialized field and provides the educational background needed to attain employment and career pathways for advancement.

“At UCLA Extension, we believe in transformational opportunities that meet our current economic challenges and workforce needs,” said Eric Bullard, dean of the UCLA Division of Continuing Education and UCLA Extension. “These programs demonstrate the impact a leading university can have in preparing its community for the future of work. We’re proud to have played a role in UCLA receiving this honor.”

APLU is a membership organization that fosters a community of university leaders collectively working to advance the mission of public research universities. The association’s membership consists of more than 250 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems and affiliated organizations

To be eligible for an IEP award, a university must first earn the IEP designation from APLU, which recognizes institutional commitment to regional economic development. UCLA achieved this recognition in 2022, demonstrating meaningful, substantial and sustainable commitment to university economic engagement. To date, only 90 institutions have earned this designation, working with internal and external stakeholders to identify strengths and areas of growth and improvement in economic engagement.

“Congratulations to our 2025 IEP Award winners,” said APLU President Waded Cruzado. “Public and land-grant universities are major drivers of innovation, workforce development and community development, and we’re delighted to recognize institutions that have made major contributions in these areas.”