UC San Diego ranked among the top producers of educators who committed to teaching for at least two years in under-resourced schools, the nonprofit organization Teach for America announced Tuesday.
UCSD had 28 alumni make the pledge, ranking 12th overall. It’s the first time the university made the top contributors list.
“UC San Diego students continue to demonstrate their commitment to service and community through programs like Teach For America, which is dedicated to making a difference in communities throughout the nation,” said Brandon Buzbee, the school’s executive director of industry engagement and regional advancement.
“Our goal in partnering with Teach For America and other employing organizations is to ensure students have as many opportunities as possible to pursue their goals and dreams upon graduation,” Buzbee said.
UCLA led the list of top contributors with 65 alumni.
Nationally, Teach for America signed up around 4,100 instructors from 830 colleges and universities — 65 percent of whom are minorities or grew up in low-income families.
“For 25 years, we’ve been recruiting, developing and supporting some of our nation’s most talented young leaders as they fight to end educational inequity,” said Elisa Villanueva Beard, co-CEO of Teach For America.
“We’re grateful for the diverse and accomplished young people we’ve been connected to through our top contributing universities, and look forward to enlisting more of them in this work in the years to come,” she said.
About 44,000 applications to Teach for America were received, and 15 percent were accepted, according to the organization.
More than 20 percent of this year’s class have backgrounds in science, technology, engineering or math, according to Teach for America. More than 50 individuals have federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration status, and 75 are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or spouses of active or veteran members of the military.
