Albert (Al) Aubin, Ed.D. is nationally regarded as the consummate student affairs professional. He is a talented counselor of students and devoted mentor to counseling staff at the UCLA Career Center. Beyond his primary role in which he has delivered superior career development services to students and alumni, Al has consistently contributed to numerous campus-wide initiatives. He has been “of service” to the UCLA campus and community for more than 40 years. These diverse and challenging activities have not precluded Al’s pursuing elected, demanding service as a member of the University Credit Union’s Board of Directors, where he contributes strong organizational leadership and successful recommendations for diversifying member representation. He has participated in Bruin Caucus and is a current member of the Bruin Caucus Council.
We sat down our Advocate of the Year recently and asked him two key questions about his time at UCLA:
What stands out to you about the campus?
AA: I have always been impressed with the achievement of the University in such a short period of time. UCLA is not yet 100 years old and yet the list of accomplishments match up or exceed much older universities.
The diversity at UCLA stands out to me, but in terms of diversity “within” diversity. Almost like a mosaic. There are moments of awe in my interactions with students whether current or former. Their energy and passion keep me engaged.
You’ve been at UCLA for 40 years. What has made you stay so long?
AA: I still feel that the job is not done. I have been able to evolve as the university evolves. We must always keep changing. Let’s see what the next 40 years hold!
One man, So many accomplishments:
- Al has guided the UCLA career counseling staff in reaching out to 25+ student organizations whose members now enjoy affiliation with the Career Center. Most of these organizations are focused on the career challenges of special populations of students or are scholarly/discipline based.
- Over the past several years, Al has played an instrumental role in the definition and promotion of career services for all graduate students.
- For many years, Al served with unfaltering dedication on the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Disabilities.
- Al helped shape the successful delivery of advising and instructional services for pre-professional students, a function that previously belonged to the College.
- His early efforts to advance the campus gay network — and later the development of our LGBT resource center — have been untiring and lent the strong, solid programming and support now available for UCLA students, faculty and staff.