Educator & Father 

 If there is a man whose work speaks for itself it is our May "Alumni Spotlight", Van Scott.  Scott graduated from UCLA in 1987 with a degree in Economics. While at UCLA he positioned himself strategically participating in the Rally Committee and working with the then Black Student Alliance (currently the Afrikan Student Union) and eventually becoming the Chair in his senior year. As a student at UCLA Scott recalls working on the committee to abolish Apartheid, working on continuing efforts to increase the enrollment of Black students and the issues surrounding the hiring of Black faculty and staff.

Having taken advantage of all that UCLA had to offer Van was poised to take his book knowledge and community organizing experience into the community. Scott said it best, "My classroom experience at UCLA strengthened my attention to detail, my number sense and analytical skills necessary to compete in the field of urban planning and development. However, my involvement in the BSA during a time of pressing school, UC wide and international issues prepared me for the challenges one faces in working with people from various backgrounds with varying agendas. Our success during the 80's was the result of coalition building, visioning and strategizing in an effort to implement lasting change. The development work I'm involved in often requires all of these skills to implement lasting change in our communities."

After teaching at Angeles Mesa Elementary School for 6 years and experiencing the non-profit field Scott was convinced that he was purposed and positioned to make a significant difference in the community. In order to ensure he could have the greatest impact in the community Scott partnered with another bruin Alumni Sherri Franklin to create the Urban Design Center.  Scott explains his company's purpose in this way, "Our tag line is 'Transforming Visions into Reality'. We specialize in housing and economic development, infrastructure and transit project implementation, charter school development, youth, art and open space facility development, master plan facilitation and the formation and management of social enterprise ventures. "

As if his business does not keep him busy enough, for the last six years Scott has found time to volunteer with the UBAA as the Chair of the Winston C. Doby Legacy Scholarship. The Legacy Scholarship ensures that Black students at UCLA receive scholarships to assist them with a successful college experience which allows them to focus on their studies.  Scott, added  "One of the requirements that we have for our UBAA Legacy Scholarship recipients is to 'Pay it Forward'. I just look at what I do as part of me continuing to pay it forward for those who opened so many doors for us."

Scott's spirit of volunteerism extends to his church, Holman United Methodist Church and his local soccer program, AYSO Region 7. Scott 's success as an amazing community leader, husband and father are supported by his wife of 16 years Shailendra and appreciated by his son Timothy, and 15 year old twin daughters Chelise and Blair. 

When asked if Scott had something in addition to share he left us with these words of wisdom,  "I hope that everyone takes a moment to realize there's no time like the present to give a little of your time to help others. If all of our alum gave just a little of their time, talents and finances, the number of young people we could help as an organization would be truly amazing."