Alumni News

2023 Distinguished Alumna

2023 Distinguished Alumna

CSULB is an outstanding university with so much to offer, everything from the beautiful campus to the variety of degree programs offered; I truly could not see myself going anywhere else for either of my degrees! 

From the moment I stepped foot onto CSULB, I felt right at home. I transferred in from Santa Monica College for spring 2020. I joined the GenExcel program, and it really helped me to transition into the university as a first-generation student.

I feel lucky that not only did I find CSULB, but I found advisors and mentors that really helped me catch up and discover what it is I want to do professionally.

My experiences go all the way back to Fall 1974 as a freshman. I made lifelong friendships with folks in both the Radio/TV department and with the Comparative Literature department, and I learned how much I loved the entertainment field. 

Some of my favorite memories include traveling across the country with my teammates for water polo (Michigan and Hawaii were my favorites), spending time with my friends, trying all kinds of food all around Long Beach (Poke Pola on 2nd St. Is my personal favorite) and making life-long friends in my classes.

I have always felt that CSULB has a strong sense of community and I felt right at home even as a transfer student. Being back on campus has allowed me to participate in various activities, the most prominent being Moot Court.

From meeting outstanding alumni from both organizations, to being able to travel and represent the school, setting school records with my team and furthering my education, CSULB has been an amazing place for me to grow in all aspects of my life.

Besides making great memories with some of my closest friends (& roommates), the highlight of my experience has been taking the position of Editor-in-Chief for DÍG en Español.

Anna W. Ngai was told six years ago that building an alumni center at Cal State Long Beach would take time, perhaps as long as a decade.