The Common Experience at UCLA
Who We Are
Each year, our Common Experience at UCLA Selection Committee is made up of students, staff, faculty, and alumni who select a title for the Bruin community to read, listen or watch together centered around a common theme. Our mission is to ignite campus-wide discussions on compelling social issues and inspire action within the Bruin community. Explore this page to learn about this year's selection!
2025-2026 Selection: Reservation Dogs
Reservation Dogs (2021)
This year's title, Reservation Dogs, is a comedy series about four Native American teenagers growing up on a reservation in eastern Oklahoma. According to NPR, the show is the “first and only TV series where every writer, director, and series regular is Indigenous” (2022). The hit show features contemporary Indigenous experiences and stands as a symbol of how storytelling can bridge communities and propel representation of marginalized communities at micro and macro levels.
The Power of Storytelling
We’re inviting Bruins to share their stories. As part of this year’s social media campaign, we want to highlight voices from across campus that reflect the theme of storytelling. This year's we're highlighting the power of storytelling in fostering empathy, building community, and deepening our understanding of diverse backgrounds. By sharing personal experiences, storytelling breaks down barriers, allowing Bruins to find common ground and recognize the similarities that unite them.
Watch the Official Trailer
Insights from UCLA Faculty
Dr. Nikki Barry
Faculty-in-Residence and Assistant Professor of Environmental Justice Education and American Indian Studies
“Bruins have the opportunity to learn and grow together through the Common Experience. Storytelling, this year's theme, is a particularly powerful way to do that. I am elated that Reservation Dogs was selected to help us think together about listening to and telling stories. Many Native American peoples have long told -- and continue to tell -- stories that use humor as medicine. And Reservation Dogs strikes a balance between making real for viewers the gravity of tribulations many Native American people face while also showing our laughter, joy, love, and brilliance.”
Dr. Theresa Ambo
Faculty-in-Residence and Associate Professor of American Indian Studies and Education
“The Common Experience is an opportunity to reflect on our commonalities to create a future where we all can flourish. I am delighted that Reservation Dogs was selected as this year's unifying media. The show offers a glimpse into the beauty, resilience, culture, and tenacity of Indigenous Peoples through themes such as love, friendship, loss, mental health struggles, history, education, and more. This groundbreaking work is uniquely told by Indigenous writers, directors, and actors, reminding us that each of us has a unique story to tell. What is your story?”
Get Involved!
At UCLA, storytelling connects us. Whether you're a student, staff, or faculty member, your experiences shape our Bruin community. Discover opportunities to engage with campus organizations, explore fields research aligned with the Common Experience, participate in tailored workshops, and review curated discussion materials to that support storytelling in your networks.
Let's Talk About It
The 2025–2026 Common Experience offers a range of discussion materials designed to deepen engagement with Reservation Dogs and celebrate the power of storytelling—fueling meaningful conversations and fostering a more connected Bruin community.
Dive deeper into the power of storytelling and Reservation Dogs with our thematic discussion guide, designed to spark powerful conversations and connect the show’s themes to broader ideas and real-world issues.
Looking to go deeper? Our Episode Index offers breakdowns of key themes in every episode—perfect for integrating into courses, workshops, or discussion groups.
Co-curricular Opportunities
UCLA Fiat Lux When you are enrolling in classes, look for Fiat Lux (1 unit courses) that are connected to the Common Experience to dive deeper into the topics of storytelling with renown UCLA Faculty.
UCLA Film, Television, and Digital Media Studies Department provides professional and scholarly approaches to the study of media and helps students discover their powers as independent artists and communicators.
UCLA American Indian Student Association offers a robust and supportive community that nurtures all students including American Indian, Alaskan Native, and First Nation in their pursuits at UCLA.
UCLA American Indian Studies Center serves as a hub of activities for Indigenous Bruins and as a bridge between the academy and Indigenous peoples locally, nationally, and internationally.
UCLA American Indian Studies Department offers an undergraduate degree designed for students who wish to explore American Indian Studies from a broad viewpoint.
Stay Connected!
Contact Us
Reach out, we are excited to hear from you!
Email: FirstYearExperience@orl.ucla.edu
Instagram: @UCLAFirstYearExperience