MENTORS FOR ACADEMIC PEER AND SUPPORT

Mentors for Academic and Peer Support (MAPS) is an outreach project of UCLA’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) founded in 2001. Recognizing the tremendous impact many education policies have on communities of color, MAPS developed as a means of increasing access to institutions historically barring students of color. Composed of three components – Ummah, Ilm and Salam –, MAPS focuses on making a difference through community building, peer advising, and advocating for academic growth.

By situating our work within a larger goal of addressing systemic injustices against historically-marginalized communities, we work with Angelino youth under the guiding doctrines of educational equity and transformative resistance. Far from being just a tutoring program, MAPS strives to develop students’ political consciousness, academic performance, and critical thinking. Through weekly site visits, MAPS supports students on their path to success through academic empowerment and holistic development.

3 PILLARS OF MAPS

Ummah – Community Building

Broken up into volunteer involvement, parent engagement and the MAPS internship, our first component places people power at its forefront. Collaborating with UCLA volunteers and parents allows us to develop stronger relationships with our students and gives MAPS a sense of community.

Salam – Peer Advising

Comprised of student empowerment, identity building and goal setting, our second component allows students access to peer advising. Students paired with a MAPS mentor are provided with the space for personal growth and development. Strengthening relationships is a key part of this component.

Ilm - Academic Growth & Success

Our third component includes subject specific tutoring, skill building workshops and higher education awareness. Students are allowed access to countless resources and can work one-on-one with UCLA volunteers on a regular basis. MAPS also provides a variety of Field Trips and opportunities for our students.

All of our volunteers are UCLA students, currently working towards completing their degrees. Their commitment and dedication to our students at site, is what makes MAPS truly unique. Holding tight to our components; Salaam, Ilm, and Ummah, we strive to continue making higher education accessible for more students.

BUILDING COMMUNITY AND KNOWLEDGE, IN PEACE.

Mentors for Academic and Peer Support is an outreach project at UCLA founded in 2000. Recognizing the tremendous impact certain education policies have on communities of color, MAPS developed as a means of increasing access to institutions historically barring students of color. Comprised of three components – Ummah, Ilm and Salam – MAPS focuses on making a difference through community building, peer advising and advocating for academic growth.

Previous Sites

  • Jordan High School

    Located in Watts, Los Angeles, Jordan High School was the first site that MAPS volunteers attended. In the 2019-2020 academic school year, MAPS volunteers worked with 11th and 12th grade students, supporting them with school work and empowering them to create career and personal goals. We are working toward returning to working in the Jordan community as we have for the past 20 years.

  • Los Angeles School of Global Studies (LASGS)

    LASGS is a high school located in Downtown Los Angeles! MAPS volunteers joined the site coordinator weekly to support students with SAT prep and college applications. Moreover, MAPS volunteers shared their experiences and explored a number of topics including financial literacy and goal setting. MAPS students at LASGS moved on to pursue their bachelors at Harvard, UCLA, UCSD and more!

  • Institute of Knowledge (IOK)

    Our newest MAPS site is catered towards 9th and 10th graders at IOK. With the aim of preparing IOK students for their transition to community college and beyond, our curriculum will focus on instilling a sense of confidence and motivation. Because of the distance of this site from UCLA, MAPS is committed to quarterly workshops and events for this community of scholars in Diamond Bar.