In 1987, the Riordan Programs was founded by Richard Riordan, former mayor of Los Angeles, and William Ouchi, UCLA Distinguished Professor and New York Times best-selling author, as a career-based outreach program for high school students in the greater Los Angeles area.
Through our pipeline programs, Riordan Scholars, and now College to Career and Riordan MBA Fellows we educate and expose high school, college and recent graduates from underserved communities to business and leadership experiences that have propelled them to achieve higher education.
With the help of our partnerships and sponsorships, more than 3,500 Riordan Scholars have graduated from the program, many moving on to study at the nation’s top colleges and universities. Alumni have secured positions across a diverse pool of industries and remain leaders in their community and around the world.
As a Riordan Programs supporter, you will be making an important contribution to some of the following initiatives:
- Funding college scholarships for high school seniors
- Funding fellowships for program participants entering graduate school
- Supporting participant activities, such as the Riordan Scholars Program’s Stock Market Analyst Competition, and the Real Estate Competition
- Providing enhanced alumni resources and events
- Supporting the College to Career Program for undergraduates
- Ensuring the programs continue to impact new generations
How Will My Contribution Support The Riordan Programs?
Two out of the three Riordan core programs are offered tuition free. Our students come from historically low-income communities and are often the first in their families to graduate from high school and go to college. By offering tuition-free college preparatory programs based at UCLA Anderson, The Riordan Programs are leveling the playing field for deserving, high-achieving youth who otherwise would not have access to this type of prestigious opportunity.
This crowdfunding campaign aims to make the Riordan Scholars Program tuition free for every student.
Each year, The Riordan Programs depend on donations to make our Scholars Sessions possible. With your generous donation, you will be helping The Riordan Programs cover expenses for print materials, food, student transportation, and other program-related needs.
The Riordan Scholars Program helped me learn the importance of networking and how to do it. I am now connected to a vast number of people in the program who I know I'll be friends with for a long time. I learned the value of the stock market and real estate, and how I could potentially use them to my future financial advantage. But for the most part, Riordan gave me insight on what it's like to act and dress the part in the professional world, and gave me tools and people to inspire me and help me reach my goals. I am forever grateful for it all.
– Adaeze Oduma (RS ’18)
Through the Riordan Scholars Program, I gained knowledge of the college application process as well as the opportunity to speak with successful entrepreneurs and leaders that were inspirational.
– Juan Aleman (RS ’18)
The Riordan Scholars Program was one of the most influential programs in my high school career. Due to the SAT tutoring I received from the Riordan program, I was able to raise my SAT score from a 1060 my junior year in the program to 1260 my senior year. The program helped to make my phenomenal story into reality because of Rocio’s amazing essay-editing skills. The Riordan Scholars Program is really a family, and their continuous support of my goals and dreams is a big reason why I always strive to make my Riordan family proud.
– Ifeanyi Ifediba (RS ’18)
Through the Riordan Scholars Program, I gained a better understanding of what careers/fields I am interested in. I discovered that the business field is very diverse and that I can use my talent and passion for creativity in business for things like marketing. Additionally, I learned valuable life skills such as understanding stock markets and the how real estate functions.
– Edith Martinez (RS ’18)