Photo for Lea Monkhouse

Lea Monkhouse

Position and company: Professional Athlete
Country of work: Canada
Degree Attained at UCLA: BA in Communication and MEd in Transformative Coaching & Leadership
Graduation Year: 2021 and 2022
How do you think UCLA prepares students to fill positions that have a global reach and influence?
The culture at UCLA pushes students to get outside of their comfort zone (e.g. to take classes that may be new and challenging to them or to connect with others that come from all different backgrounds) and then figure out how to make the best of it. I believe this adaptability is key moving forward when filling positions with a global reach/influence.
What do you think are the most important components of educating students to be culturally competent global citizens, no matter their major?
I believe the most important component of educating students to be culturally competent global citizens is to encourage and give space for students to connect and collaborate. At UCLA there are people from many different walks of life; I believe that having conversations and getting to know people who are different from you is one of the best ways to begin to expand your worldview.


As a land grant institution, the International Institute at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles basin, Southern Channel Islands).


Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential values of the UCLA International Institute. These professed ideals enable us to provide the kind of broad, global, multicultural educational experience central to the Institute’s academic programs. We welcome faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and want everyone at the Institute to feel respected and valued. We are committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion for our students, staff and faculty in our academic programs and centers, as well as on our campus.

The Institute is proud of its over 60-year legacy in preparing individuals who have gone on to make contributions to the business, nonprofit, government and education sectors. As a gateway to the world for the campus and the greater Los Angeles community, the Institute considers equity, diversity and inclusion essential to its mission of educating global citizens and preparing them for a multicultural world and collaborative problem solving.


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