“The Mexican food and avocados!” said graduating
international development studies and German student Julia Miller
when asked what she will miss the most about UCLA when she
continues on to Harvard Law School in the fall.
This month, Miller will be one of the many graduating seniors to
travel to new places and pursue further studies, leaving behind
UCLA and all that she’s done.
Miller, who plans on making a career in international and
environmental law, describes UCLA as a place where there are many
opportunities available to students who make the effort to find
them.
During her sophomore year, she joined the Student Committee for
the Arts (SCA) and since then has been heavily involved in the
creation and production of the arts among the student body.
She also took advantage of the many diverse and rare course
offerings and studied almost everything from anthropology to
hydrology. She also participated in UCLA’s study abroad
program and was able to travel to South Africa, Berlin, Prague,
Czech Rep., and Vienna, Austria.
“Everything is here,” Miller joked.
While Miller’s academic background and future illustrate
her enthusiastic opinion of UCLA, she has always been especially
dedicated to promoting the arts on campus. As part of the SCA she
helped produce performances in the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center
amphitheater and was able to learn about the many technicalities
that go into a production.
She says that her time spent at the SCA has contributed to her
positive experience at UCLA by giving her opportunities to practice
leadership. This past year she was elected as co-chair of the SCA
and oversaw committees who bring live performances to UCLA and
subsidize student tickets to UCLA Live productions.
Since fall of 2002, Miller has also worked at UCLA Live as a
marketing/public relations intern under David Sefton. As an intern,
she assisted in the direct promotion of UCLA Live events and
performances. She worked with audience development, marketing and
publicity strategies, and research and development.
Next year, with artists like Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax scheduled
to perform with UCLA Live, Miller has seen the program evolve
during her time at UCLA. Miller says that she is disappointed that
she will not be here for next year’s performances.
“(UCLA Live) gets better every year,” Miller said.
“There are many wonderful performances and events that people
don’t take advantage of.”
As Miller graduates, she leaves UCLA an accomplished and
experienced scholar. Her passionate personality and appreciation
for the arts will be missed by many. In the future, Miller plans to
continue her involvement with the arts, as it has become an
integral part of her life.
Her love for the arts motivates her to encourage those around
her to become involved in and support the arts. And while her life
in law school will no doubt be a change from working at SCA,
Miller’s bound to find something new she likes, even if it
doesn’t involve the arts. Or avocados.