Empowered by Mentorship: SCPD Celebrates Student Success
The Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD) brought the academic year to a memorable close with its annual Corporate Mentoring Program (CMP) Awards Banquet, held on April 14 at the Anna W. Ngai Alumni Center. The evening gathered students, mentors, SCPD partners, and campus leaders to celebrate graduating mentees, recognize impactful mentorship, and reflect on a year of growth and connection.
SCPD Director Shayleen Fay opened the program by welcoming guests and acknowledging the commitment of students and mentors who make CMP such a meaningful experience. A message on behalf of the College of Business was shared by Dr. Sabine Reddy, highlighting the importance of mentorship in student career readiness. Throughout the evening, graduating CMP participants were individually recognized and presented with medallions, with names announced by SCPD Advisory Board Members John Cascell and Ray Plascencia.
In addition, students who successfully completed all four SCPD programs, including the Business Professional Certificate (BPC), Junior Mentoring Program (JMP), Community Scholars (CS), and Corporate Mentoring Program (CMP), were honored with graduation sashes, symbolizing the culmination of their commitment to professional growth, leadership development, and community engagement throughout their time at CSULB.
One of the most impactful moments of the evening was the presentation of the Mentor of the Year Award to David Ayala, whose mentorship exemplifies the heart of the CMP experience. David was nominated by his mentee, Hugo Lopez, whose words spoke powerfully to the personal and professional impact of mentorship. Hugo shared that David was not only a mentor but became a trusted guide, offering encouragement during pivotal moments, opening doors to professional networks, and providing perspective rooted in shared experiences. As the son of an immigrant family, Hugo expressed how meaningful it was to work with a mentor who understood his journey and encouraged him to take pride in his background as he prepared to enter professional spaces. Hugo credited David’s mentorship as instrumental as he accepted an offer to join Silicon Valley Bank in San Francisco as an Associate, carrying forward both confidence and purpose.
The evening concluded with closing remarks from SCPD Program Coordinator Jasmine Puck and COB Internship Coordinator Lindsey Sarver, who expressed gratitude to mentors, celebrated the accomplishments of graduating students, and shared words of encouragement as participants prepare to be recognized again at CSULB’s Commencement celebrations. The CMP Awards Banquet and the program as a whole reflect the heart of mentorship and experiential learning, demonstrating how these experiences create a lasting impact on student success, career readiness, and life beyond graduation..
