Beach Excellence

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Sandy Jimenez | 2026 Employee of the Year for Inclusive Excellence

Sandy Jimenez, Area Coordinator for Parkside Central, is the recipient of the President’s Award for Employee of the Year for Inclusive Excellence in recognition of her transformative leadership and deep commitment to fostering belonging.

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Scot Woodyard | 2026 Employee of the Year for Innovation

Scot Woodyard, a dedicated member of the California State University, Long Beach community for over three decades, is the recipient of the President’s Award for Staff Employee of the Year for Innovation. 

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Jason Deutschman | 2026 Employee of the Year for Leadership

Jason Deutschman, Associate Director of Advising in the College of Engineering’s Engineering Student Success Center (ESSC), is the recipient of the President’s Award for Staff Employee of the Year for Leadership.

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Michelle Linton | 2026 Employee of the Year for Student Success

Michelle Linton is the recipient of the President’s Award for Staff Employee of the Year for Student Success, recognized for her impactful leadership in advancing CSULB’s mission. 
 

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BeAChampion Facilitation Team | 2026 Team Achievement Award

The BeAChampion Facilitation Team—Caitlin Broadwell, Cameron Cecil, Loren Edwards, Liz Grimes, Tamika Spivey, and Tiffany Edlin—is the recipient of the President’s Team Achievement Award for their exceptional collaboration in transforming the student-athlete experience at California State University, Long Beach.

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Kamiar Alaei

Kamiar Alaei is Chair and Professor of Global Health in the Department of Health Science. He also served as an External Evaluator at the University of Oxford and is the PI of a $10.3 million federal grant supporting the development of interdisciplinary degree programs in Public Health Informatics and Technology (PHIT), with a strong emphasis on equity-driven workforce development. 

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H. Isabella Lanza

H. Isabella Lanzais a developmental psychologist, public health scientist, and professor of human development. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in addictive behaviors at UCLA, and earned a PhD in developmental psychology from Temple University, a master’s in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University, and a BA in English and psychology from Williams College. 

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Richard Marcus

Richard Marcus Ph.D., has served as a professor of Global Studies at California State University, Long Beach since 2006. His career integrates academic institution-building, globally engaged scholarship, and public-facing service. Over three decades, his work has been anchored in a sustained commitment to understanding how democratic life is experienced at the community level with an emphasis on how conditions of environmental stress, weak state capacity, and political volatility. 

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Terri Armstrong | 2026 Staff Recipient

Dr. Terri Armstrong serves as Director Assistant for the department of University Outreach & School Relations. 

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Felicia Montes | 2026 Faculty Recipient

Professor Felicia Montes serves as faculty for the department of Chicano/Latino Studies. 

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Donna Nicol | 2026 Administrator 

Dr. Donna Nicol serves as Associate Dean for Department of the College of Liberal Arts Administration.

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Dr. Jesse Dillon | Faculty Excellence in Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award 

Dr. Jesse Dillon is a Professor of Biological Sciences whose leadership and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility have transformed student success and faculty development across the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) and the broader CSULB campus.

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Dr. Melawhy Garcia | Faculty Excellence in Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Award 

Melawhy Garcia is the Katherine and Paul Johansen Endowed Chair in Health Literacy and Communication in the College of Health and Human Services.  In this role, she is developing innovative interdisciplinary health literacy and health communication training opportunities for students to prepare competent health professionals to address health inequities among marginalized communities. 

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Dr. Jose Miguel Palacios | Early Academic Career Excellence Award 

Dr. José Miguel Palacios is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cinematic Arts at California State University, Long Beach. His work explores histories and theories of world cinema in a transnational framework, as seen in his first book Transnational Cinema Solidarity: Chilean Exile Film & Video after 1973 (University of California Press, 2025).

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Gabe Rodriguez | May 2026

An Academic Advisor in the College of Education, Gabe brings more than 21 years of service to the university, including 11 years supporting future educators. He is known for “finding new ways of supporting students and reducing barriers towards graduation,” with a particular focus on improving the experience for incoming transfer students.

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John Balarosan | April 2026

John’s impact extends beyond problem-solving. He is deeply committed to fostering a culture of learning and collaboration. “He does not simply resolve issues; he empowers staff,” taking time to explain processes and guide colleagues so they can confidently navigate challenges on their own. 

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Loren Edwards | March 2026

Loren brings care, consistency, and follow-through that extend far beyond her job description. As Tiffany Edlin, Senior Associate Athletic Director, shared, “It’s hard to fully capture the impact she makes on our campus…Loren supports all 325 of our student-athletes, and she still finds a way to make every one of them feel seen.”

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Dr. Elaine Villanueva Bernal | Changemaker

Dr. Elaine Bernal has been with CSULB for 19 years, spreading sustainability initiatives on and off campus. Their leadership roles and efforts are fully recognized through this award.

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Kimberly Cruz | Changemaker 

"Kim’s leadership has set the standard for how sustainability can be integrated across campus. Kim ensures that sustainability programming remains inclusive, accessible, and collaborative, aligning with the PCS’s mission to embed sustainability into the fabric of campus life."

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Kent Hayward | Changemaker

Kent supports the faculty and students at CINE through his leadership skills, motivating them to also practice sustainability in their work. "A shining example of ‘walking the walk."

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Nataliya Acc-Nikmehr | Honorary Award

Nataliya's commitment to a greener campus and community through student engagement and partnerships are recognized through this award. 

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Lakeysha Carter | 2025 Excellence in Service Award

The Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFAS) is proud to present the inaugural Excellence in Service Award, honoring a Black CSULB employee who demonstrates exceptional service, leadership, and advocacy in support of the Black Beach community. This award recognizes an individual whose consistent actions embody the values of connection, care, and commitment—going above and beyond to advocate for, empower, and uplift Black students, staff, faculty, or alumni.

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Taylor Buhler- Scott | Staff of Distinction

A 3+ year Student Affairs staff member who demonstrates excellence in their role by going above and beyond, performing exemplary work, and making a difference.

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Norma Salcedo | Inclusive Excellence

Advanced inclusive excellence through initiatives, programs, or other significant activities.

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Drew Bowles | Champion Collaborator

Came together across teams, departments, groups to work on a project or ongoing effort.

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Anthony Saucedo| 2025-2026

For more than 15 years, Anthony has been a dedicated member of The Beach family, serving students, staff, and the campus community with unwavering commitment and pride.  

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Christina Salvador | 2024-2025

 As Associate Director of Prospect Research, she has played a critical role in nearly every major fundraising campaign at The Beach. 

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Alessandro Russo | 2023-2024

Alessandro has contributed to the CSULB campus in many different roles, including as an undergraduate and graduate student, student organization leader, staff member and leader, and guest lecturer. 

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Rashida Crutchfield | 2025 Outstanding Faculty Service

Dr. Rashida Crutchfield, a professor in the School of Social Work at Cal State Long Beach, is credited with significantly changing universities’ understanding of how housing and food insecurity create barriers to students’ success.

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Kelly Ansely Young | 2024 Outstanding Faculty Innovator in Student Success

Hired in 2003 in the Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Young committed early on to make her classroom and research laboratory student-centered. While she was recognized for her effective and innovative teaching and mentoring, Young strove for student success beyond students she worked with directly by creating learning communities for colleagues.

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Loucine M. Huckabay | 2022 Outstanding Faculty Service 

Throughout her 42-year tenure at California State University, Long Beach, Dr. Loucine Huckabay has been a strong supporter and advocate for all students, especially those from historically underserved backgrounds. She is well known for mentoring students struggling academically, or those whose home or work situations interfere with their academic success.