October 2017 

“Your education is an investment unlike a car, house, or stock…you cannot sell it. 
So, you are explicitly linked to this institution and therefore, responsible for that brand.” -GMAC 2017

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Featured Scholarship Recipient - Emily Pahon, MS Supply Chain Management Cohort II

Throughout my career, I never really imagined that I would have the resources or the time to go back to school to pursue a Master’s degree. I graduated in 2007 from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA with a double major in Russian Studies and International Business. I loved going to school, and I thoroughly enjoy the pursuit of higher education. Unfortunately, education comes at a cost that is not always affordable. I am fortunate enough to be able to pursue a Master in Supply Chain Management from CSULB that is both affordable, highly regarded and works with my professional schedule.

Receiving the Port of Long Beach scholarship is quite the honor to me for a few reasons. First, this generous scholarship allows me to continue my studies without the burden of taking on additional student loan debt. Financially, this is a huge help to furthering my education and career. Second, the Port of Long Beach is an industry leader in environmental initiatives and is very active within the community, two attributes that I believe make this a world-class organization. To be recognized by a company that I admire is truly an honor. I am forever thankful for this generous scholarship. 

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Saturday MBA Culminating Experience Project Becomes a Reality at CSULB

Saturday MBA Alumni, Cristina LoBue and Jake Trujillo, attended the Solar Project "Switch Flipping" ceremony. The two alumni, along with classmate Steven Hosokawa, worked on a class project, which became the foundation for the new 4.75 megawatt solar panel installation. It is great to see their idea become a reality!

The solar project installation is part of CSULB Climate Action Plan. This plan has set a goal of carbon neutrality by the year 2030. The solar panels, located in parking lots 14 and 7, will provide enough power to supply one-third of the campus’ energy demands. At the ceremony, President Jane Close Conoley pointed out that the solar panels in both parking lots “make up the largest solar installation on any of the 23 CSU campuses.”

Mixer Registration Now Open!

Mixer Registration

Featured Alumni - Brain Budzinski, Saturday MBA V

Brian Budzinski received his undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University. Ever since receiving his undergraduate degree, he contemplated pursuing an MBA. However, he decided it would be beneficial to gain real-world, practical knowledge that comes from the wisdom of work experience prior to attending graduate school. He spent close to seven years in the Aerospace industry, most recently as a Structural Engineer for Boeing before deciding to pursue an MBA. He realized that having an MBA is not only beneficial, it is necessary in an increasingly competitive industry. With many of his colleagues having Master’s degrees in Business and Engineering, he felt as though hard work and dedication were simply insufficient to keep him on that cutting edge.

Prior to completing his MBA at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), Brian was promoted into an Engineering Manager role at Boeing. The degree helped prepare him for corporate management and also allowed him many opportunities during the program. While at CSULB, his experience was unparalleled. Brian had the opportunity to become President of the Graduate Business Association (GBA) which in turn allowed for him to work closely with the College of Business Administration (CBA) and eventually become one of the co-founders of the CBA Incubator. Brian continues to volunteer time helping out the CBA Incubator and is thankful for all of the opportunities that the CSULB MBA provided. Learn more about Brian’s role as an Engineering Manager at Boeing. 

Where are they Now?

Caitlin McKenna, MSA Cohort I

Caitlin McKenna graduated from the first M.S Accountancy Cohort in 2016. She currently works as a Staff Auditor at Holthouse, Carlin & Van Tright, LLP. In her progress toward CPA licensure, she has passed the Audit and Regulation section of the CPA and will be sitting for the Financial Accounting and Reporting section soon. 

New! Master of Science in Information Systems

The Graduate Programs Office is pleased to announce the launch of a new M.S in Information Systems program next Fall. Prospective students can apply starting October 1, for the Fall 2018 semester. The MSIS program is a STEM designated program designed to provide students with an advanced and highly sought after expertise necessary in the field of Information Systems. The program provides training in advanced technical, managerial, and analytical techniques with a focus on digital transformation, data analytics, and cyber security, which will advance student career prospects and prepare them for lifelong learning in a global economy. Attend an Information Session to learn more about this program and how to apply. 

Graduate Business Association

On Saturday, September 9, GBA held a mixer for current business grad students, faculty, and alumni. The owner of 5 O'Clock Wine Bar graciously agreed to donate 10% of all proceeds to Habitat for Humanity in response to recent hurricanes. The event was well attended and GBA raised $300, payable to Habitat for Humanity. Upcoming mixers will be announced via email. Hope to see you at the next one!

On Thursday, September 21, representatives from Northwestern Mutual spoke to the GBA about the importance of personal branding. The speaker, Sarah Chun-Hoon, impressed upon the attendees the benefit of having a clear personal mission statement and elevator pitch. The event was well attended and GBA students were inspired to get to work on their own personal branding. 

Upcoming GBA events: 

On Thursday, October 19, join GBA in CBA room 123 at 6 pm to listen to Jason Cooper, Fan Development Marketing Manager for the Anaheim Ducks, speak about the successful grassroots marketing campaign they have implemented in the last few years. This campaign has been copied by many other NHL teams, and modified to assist other non-profits and businesses. Light refreshments will be served. 

Beach Entrepreneurship Boot Camp

On August 15^th, eleven teams pitched their business ideas before a panel of judges.  This was the culmination of a 6-week entrepreneurship boot camp sponsored by the CBA and the IIE.  This free boot camp was open to students and the Long Beach community.  The goal is to provide support for all entrepreneurs to develop the foundation needed to launch a successful business in Long Beach. Learn about growth costs with this video from our Boot Camp. 

CBA Incubator, every Tuesday 7pm-9pm at CBA 139A

Join this weekly meeting and be part of our quest to foster a creative and collaborative environment where stakeholders from multiple disciplines feel empowered to develop their passions in a tangible, practical, and innovative manner.  

Innovation Challenge participants are encouraged to utilize the resources that the Incubator has to offer for their business plan.  Students, Alumni and Community members welcome!

Please contact cba-incubator@csulb.edu to join us as a guest speaker for the CBA Incubator.  We welcome alumni to participate and share their expertise in starting a business, become a mentor for a student innovation team, and/or participate in business plan pitches.  

Book your next team meeting in the Catalyst room.

Need a space to work?  Throw your ideas up on the walls of the Catalyst room.  You may reserve the CBA Catalyst room (CBA 242) Monday - Thursday from 8am-9pm and Fridays from 8am-4pm

Molina Entrepreneurship Series Continues 10/26 with 'Launching Your Venture

Building on our sold out event, which yielded our largest audience to date, the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship will partner with Molina Healthcare, the CBA, DLBA and ED to present the final installment in a five-part speaker event series.

Mark your calendar for the final date!  Registration will be open in the coming weeks, be sure to sign up early to secure your spot. Thank you to our previous event panelists who have made this series a tremendous success!

4/13 Developing Your Team
Dana Sumpter, Assistant Professor, CSULB
Gaurav Bhattacharya, CEO, Glipped
Jay Dysart, CEO, JLOOP

5/18 Obtaining Funding
Daniel Fernandez, Director, Opportunity Fund
Douglas Pennington, Founder, Arch Angels of Orange County
Kim Gros, Founder, SteelCraft

6/29 Reaching Your Market
Ben Arnold, Marketing & Operations, Giant Media
Scott Flexo, Professor, CSULB
Roberto Martinez, Founder & CEO, Braven Agency
YouTube videos from 6/29 event:  Video I Video II Video III

9/14 Pitching to Investors
Joe Platnick, Director Emeritus, Pasadena Angels
Brian Budzinski, Engineering Manager, The Boeing Company
Kinsey Cronin, Director of Business Development, StartEngine

Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE)

Congratulations to the Centro CHA Boot Camp certificate recipients who successfully completed the 6-week program on 8/14!  This free workshop presented by the IIE and Centro CHA discussed how to successfully prepare a business plan by using the Business Model Canvas.  

Woman-Owned Business Accelerator

Applications just closed!  Finalists will pitch for a place in the Accelerator October, 12th.

The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) expands its support for Entrepreneurship with the launch of the Woman Owned Business Accelerator. The DLBA’s Woman Owned Business Accelerator provides assistance and grant funds to support costs associated with recruiting, retaining, or expanding an existing or potential woman owned business in Downtown Long Beach. The program will award up to three woman owned businesses, not to exceed $15,000 in total award money. Businesses that are “pre-revenue” will be considered and encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to businesses supporting online/digital customer acquisition strategies. CSULB's Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Built By She are proud partners in this program!

Visit for more information on this tremendous program.

Climathon

Long Beach will join over 240 cities across the world for a 24-hour climate change hackathon on October 27th. Collaborate with innovators, entrepreneurs, students and professionals to create innovative solutions to cities climate challenges. CSULB’s IIE and the City of Long Beach will be hosting the Climathon at the Duncan Anderson Gallery on the CSULB campus with a focus of eliminating scope 3 emission in order to achieve our carbon neutral goal by 2030!  Learn more and sign up at here.

Contact us to get involved in this ground breaking event, CSULB-IIE@csulb.edu

IIE website coming soon - stay connect with us on Facebook and YouTube

MSSCM and GLS Students Awarded Scholarships at 2017 Connie Awards

The Container and Intermodal Institute (CII) awarded scholarships to students in both the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (MSSCM) and Global Logistics Specialist (GLS) Professional Development programs during this year’s Connie Awards ceremony held on September 19, 2017.

The following MSSCM students received scholarships: Emily Pahon, Assistant Manager at Intermodal Operations Maersk Line; Andrew Kirby, Lead Office Administrator at Performance Team; Mikyung Zdybowicz, Operations Manager at JH Biotech Inc.; and Miles Winston, who recently received a job offer from Intel after completing an internship with the company.

“I am very grateful and humbled by this scholarship and experiencing the Connie Awards,” said Andrew Kirby who received a scholarship from the Container & Intermodal Institute.  “It makes me proud of my decision to pursue my Masters in Supply Chain Management at CSULB.” 

Emily Pahon received a scholarship from the Journal of Commerce, said: “It was such an honor to be selected for the Journal of Commerce scholarship and to be able to hear about the success of industry leaders at the Connie Awards dinner. I was truly honored to be part of the evening.” 

The students were presented their plaques and checks at a private pre-Connie Award Scholarship Presentation Reception. The reception also served as an opportunity for students to network with industry professionals in attendance.

CII awards the Connie Awards on the west coast, a tradition held since 2009. Originating from the word “container,” The Connie Award recognizes individuals who made outstanding contributions to the intermodal industry and has been very well received on the east coast since 1972.