Q & A:
What is your fondest memory of CSULB?
A: If I had to choose only one it would have to be meeting those I will keep in touch with for a lifetime, including Professors, School Administrators and Classmates
What activities/organizations were you involved in while attending
CSULB?
A: KBeach Radio, Delta Sigma Pi, Leadership Academy, Multicultural Council & Associated Students Inc.
How did CSULB prepare you for life after college?
A: While being a commuter for most of my college experience, classes and campus involvement were the most efficient ways to meet new people. I was able to learn that every interaction was an opportunity to network and first impressions could make and break relationships. This helped me refine a skill that is very important in business.
Which professor or staff made an impact on your academic or
professional career?
A: Dr. Daniel Barkley, his enthusiasm for Economics and the world helped me gain a better understanding and appreciation for the subject. Today, he has started his own non-profit: Economics On The Move. His goal is to help under-served youth gain a better understanding of economics and financial literacy through tours of local firms. More information: http://bit.ly/Eotm
-Dr. James Sauceda, The energy he brings to any room is amazing. If you were having a bad day, visit Dr. Sauceda at the Multicultural Center and within minutes you'll leave with a smile. If you were to send him an email, all of his responses would be in CAPS LOCK, which represents his positive take on life. During my time in ASI, Dr. Sauceda was my mentor in gaining a better stance of my role as Secretary for Campus Diversity. With his refreshing personality, I was able to talk to him about anything and I really appreciated the time he spent helping me unite the cultural communities at CSULB.
Where has life taken you since graduation? What are you currently up
to?
A: Since graduation, I've traveled to some of the most amazing places the world has to offer and currently I am a Media Specialist with IM/TMA, a Strategic Marketing Firm in Long Beach. But most of all, I live each day as it if it's my last.
How or have you been involved as a young alumni?
A: Brown Bag Bunch - At the end of last year a group of recent CSULB alums (Zahra Billoo '06, Hironao Okahana '07, Michael Yi '08) and I began a grassroots movement known as the Brown Bag Bunch with a quarterly event called Operation: Brown Paper Bag. Our mission is simple: prepare and serve brown bag lunches to the hungry. The contents of each bag include a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, snack and juice box. Through donations from our family, friends and professional contacts we have been able to feed over 4,300 people in the Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Our next event will be held at the end of September. More information: http://bit.ly/Bbb and our Facebook Page
- Coins4Cancer - In July I will be participating in the LIVESTRONG Challenge. It is a century (100mile) bike tour through Silicon Valley benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation. To raise funds for the cause I created an initiative known as Coins4Cancer - Give Cents | Save Lives. While fundraising, i was able to meet a number of families that have lost loved ones, individuals who are currently battling and others who have survived cancer (twitpic). The entire experience has been incredibly humbling and the stories I've heard about the hardship of the dreadful disease will be my fuel to tackle the 5000 feet of elevation that is ahead of me in July. More information: http://bit.ly/sj_laf
Tell us something about the value and/or meaning of your CSULB
experience?
A: It was a wonderful experience, it prepared for life's obstacles while having a good time.
Brown Bag Bunch's Quarterly Event:
Operation Brown Bag.
Operation Brown Bag Event is completed with 1, 640
lunches to be distributed to people in the Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
