A series of original videos will highlight the depth of UCLA’s impact on the community through discussions among renowned UCLA faculty and alumni. A new component of UCLA’s successful Optimists brand campaign, the videos will capture engaging conversations about newsworthy and culturally significant topics.
The Optimists discussions underscore UCLA’s commitment as a world-class public university to the open exchange of ideas and to foster conversation on issues that affect us all.
Launched on Facebook Live
UCLA kicks off the series today at 3:30 p.m. PST with a Facebook Live session on sports concussions, a research area in which UCLA is among the nation’s leaders. The chat features Dr. Christopher Giza, a professor of pediatric neurology and neurosurgery who is a nationally renowned expert on brain injury, speaking with Samantha Peszek, a former UCLA gymnast who won a silver medal in the 2008 Olympics.
The series continues with an in-depth conversation about sports concussions among Adriana Galván, a UCLA associate professor of psychology; Roman Phifer, a three-time Super Bowl champion and UCLA football standout; and Dr. John DiFiori, the head team physician for UCLA Athletics.
Topics for upcoming conversations will include gratitude, mentoring and the future. Videos will appear on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Upworthy, Conversant, Inside Higher Ed and other platforms, and viewers will be able to see all of the videos, as they are posted, on the Optimists website.
UCLA launched the Optimists campaign in 2012 with profiles of iconic UCLA alumni who went on to change the world. Since then, the campaign has evolved to showcase UCLA students, faculty, alumni and supporters who are shaping the world of tomorrow.
Full-length Optimists discussions videos will be approximately 10 to 15 minutes long, and UCLA will post brief clips (one minute or shorter) on social media and partner websites.