August 2017

August 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 Katherine Settlemyre, Evening MBA 

Attending CSULB is an awesome experience. I love the opportunities that are presented to me by living in a big “Port” city. While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I decided to major in Business Marketing along with a minor in environmental science to ensure that I wouldn't be ignoring my creative disposition. I developed my professionalism through programs like Community Scholars in which we mentored high school students at Jordan High School in Long Beach. I am so happy that I decided to pursue my graduate degree at my alma mater, CSULB. I have learned and grown so much since starting in January 2016. During my first semester, I attended the Spring Job Fair at Friendship Walk on campus, on my 26th birthday. That job fair lead me to my current position working at a marketing firm operating in the automobile industry.

During graduate school, I have had many inspiring teachers, especially notable is Hieu Nguyen (Marketing) and Steven V. Lee (Investments). After my most recent year of excelling and enjoying two finance classes, I decided to specialize in finance. With my solid foundation of marketing knowledge, I knew that taking a few more finance classes would exponentially expand my knowledge of modern business much more than taking additional marketing courses. I currently have a 4.0 GPA and plan to graduate with all A’s. I could not be happier to be back in school right now. After graduation in May 2018, a group of my classmates and I plan to travel to Hamburg, Germany for a short-term study abroad trip. We hope for this trip to broaden our international business awareness and to solidify our lifelong friendships.

Joining Beta Gamma Sigma was a great choice for me as I enjoy the networking and friendships that come from being a part of this type of organization. Winning the Los Angeles Chapter Scholarship is a huge honor. I am excited to be able to move back to the Long Beach area for my last year of graduate school. With the scholarship funds, I will be able to put the deposit down on a house I will be moving into next month. I am looking forward to being in town in order to make the most out of being a part of Beta Gamma Sigma as well as being close to school so I can work on my final MBA project with my team as much as possible. It will be an exciting upcoming year! 

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Where are they Now?

Brandon Lecou , MS Supply Chain Management Cohort 2

MS Supply Chain Management student Brandon Lecou is an instructor for the Marine Terminal Operations Professional program (MTOP) and the Global Logistics Specialist Professional Designation program offered by the Center for International Trade & Transportation (CITT) at CSULB.  Brandon recently received the Carolyn Martin Outstanding MTOP Instructor Award during CITT’s Graduation Reception held on July 6 at the Gerald Daniel Recital Hall.  The award is named in honor of Carolyn Martin, Retired Assistant Vice President for Customer Service and Public Relations for International Transportation Services (ITS). Carolyn, who was one of the original instructors in the GLS program in 1997, initiated the development of the MTOP program in 2008.

Brandon teaches Break Bulk Operations and Ocean Transportation & Current Maritime Environment.  His students often comment on his ability to engage them in class discussion.  However, his passion for his profession is evident in his ongoing commitment to shaping future generations for this industry.  As an active member of the Advisory Board for the Academy of Global Logistics at Cabrillo High School, he presented to 10th graders, conducted mock interviews, and participated in an industry mixer for students.  He has served as a mentor and presenter for high school teachers under the POLB Teacher Externship during the last two years.  As part of this project, he recently guided teachers on a tour of SSA Terminal.

“Brandon is the perfect example of how the industry is invested in giving back to the community and ensuring the next generation of the goods movement workforce is prepared to meet any challenge,” said Tom O’Brien, Executive Director for the Center for International Trade & Transportation.  CITT is proud to have him as part of the team.

Save the Date!

2017 Graduation Banquet – Congratulations Graduates!

Each year, the CBA Graduate programs office hosts the Graduate Banquet in honor of the students who are graduating and joining the CSULB alumni network. This is an opportunity to highlight some of the accomplishments of our students in the various MBA and Masters programs. This year, we had a student who was so instrumental in bringing together students through the Graduate Business Association and other projects, that we decided to create a new award category, “The Outstanding Student Award”. This award was presented to the President of the GBA, Troy Mullen. We also presented Lucy Guillen (featured in our June Newsletter) with the 2017 Honored Graduate Business Alumnus award. Finally, the students presented each other with “Silly Awards”, awards such as the Best Humanitarian award which was given to the student who is constantly feeding their cohort, or Mr. Punctuality for the student who is always running late. The event was a great opportunity to celebrate our students and wish them the best in their next chapter. Congratulations Class of 2017!

Accelerated MBA Travels to Bogota, Colombia

"One of the most memorable things from our international trip to Colombia was the day at Proyecto de Vida. We had the opportunity to spend a few hours helping and playing with the children. Proyecto de Vida is a non-profit organization operating in two low-income neighborhoods located in the city of Bogotá and the neighboring municipality of Soacha, Colombia. One of the primary challenges facing Colombia is the lack of capital and facilities to help poor children in urban communities. Poverty makes it more difficult for children to be able to study and follow their dreams. We wanted to take this opportunity to do something for the kids. We taught them art, geography, dance, and sports. Being surrounded by these little angels made me laugh and love this country more. There seemed to be no language barrier at all. We communicated and understood each other without words but warm hearts and hugs. It was an incredible experience for all of us! Thank you video made by the children of Proyecto de Vida.”  Jason Trung, AMBA 12, 2017 

Saturday MBA Travels to Copenhagen, Denmark

 

“The København experience was enlightening and was a great way to put together everything that we learned through the two years. Spending time with each company was insightful in learning how sustainability practices impacted their respective operations. Learning from their experiences and sustainability growing pains provided knowledge of additional factors to consider in implementing sustainability practices. The best part was partaking in the culture, meeting locals, and touring through the city because it highlighted the local impact of sustainability efforts and what it could look like at home (United States). To all future cohorts, take the time to soak it all in! Skål!!!”  Giancarlo Cosavalente, SMBA 6, 2017

Students in the Field!

Last month, our Graduate Business Students had the unique opportunity to attend a site visit with Canon Solutions of America here in Long Beach! Students from our Saturday MBA, Evening MBA, Accelerated MBA and MS Supply Chain Management programs learned more about the culture, departments, and professional experience at Canon. It was a great way to expose students to relevant, local opportunities. If you or your organization would like to host a company visit for our current Graduate students, please contact Bert Rivera to coordinate details.

How to Get Involved! Recruit CSULB Business Graduate Talent!

With hundreds of graduate business students at CSULB, recruiting here is a great source for local, quality talent. Whether you’re looking to hire for internships or full time, students in our MS Accounting, MS Supply Chain Management and MBA programs would be a great fit! If you are interested in hiring talent from CSULB, please connect with Bert Rivera, 562-985-4722, Employer and Job Developer Specialist, with Graduate Business Career Services. Bert utilizes a tailored approach based on your hiring needs to target students and connect them with your open opportunities. Feel free to share this with any colleagues or other business departments who may be looking for diverse, multi-faceted, business-minded talent!

New! Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

It's official!  This university-wide institute, established July 2017, carries a mission to provide programming and mentoring that unlocks the creative energy of students, faculty and staff and engages stakeholders across campus and the community to generate innovative new technologies, products, and processes.  The IIE supports the efforts of the creative community to bring innovation to market, to improve the lives and careers of our students and the greater Long Beach community and enhance the economic development of the greater Long Beach economy.  The IIE has collaborated with Centro CHA for a summer boot camp geared towards members of the Long Beach Community. This program, offered on Mondays from July 10 through August 14, has been well received and we are excited to be working on an upcoming course taught in Spanish!

Incubator Update - Beach Entrepreneurship Bootcamp

 

The CBA and the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship are presenting the Beach Entrepreneur Bootcamp. A six-week program that started July 11th, focuses on start-ups, business plans, marketing, financial management and legal structures.  Join us for the final sessions in August.  Please contact cba-incubator@csulb.edu to join us as a guest speaker for the CBA Incubator starting this Fall semester.  We are always looking for alumni who are willing to share their expertise in starting a business, being a mentor for an student innovation team, and judging business plan pitches.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

Women in Business

This September, the CBA, the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the DLBA will host a workshop geared towards women entrepreneurs.  Join our email list to find out about registration.

Molina Entrepreneurship Series Continues 9/14 with 'Pitching to Investors'
In the fourth of a five-part series, the CBA, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Molina Healthcare, the DLBA and the EDP present a crucial discussion about pitching your business to Investors.

Thank you to our previous event speakers who have made the first three events 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
Kevin Keehl, CEO, Focus Apparel

6/29 Reaching Your Market
Ben Arnold, Marketing & Operations, Giant Media
Scott Flexo, Professor, CSULB
Roberto Martinez, Founder & CEO, Braven Agency