2018
Carlos Antonio H. Vaqueráno is a crusader of human, legal and social justice, and political representation among Central Americans and Latinos. In 1980, Mr. Vaqueráno fled from his native country of El Salvador to the United States. He could not forget his brother's admonishment: "Never forget that you have to fight so that justice exists in our country." Moved by his experience, Mr. Vaqueráno's fervor to help Salvadorans and the Latino community led to the founding of the Los Angeles based nonprofit organization, Salvadoran-American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF), in 1995.
Mr. Vaqueráno has served as SALEF's executive director since its inception. Under his leadership, SALEF has become one of the nation's leading Central American organizations. It tenaciously informs about the importance of civic participation, educates about the significance of representation in the federal government, and also advocates and provides educational opportunities for Salvadorans and Latino students. Through SALEF's Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship Fund, more than 950 students and counting have been awarded with scholarships. In addition, SALEF played a key role in the adoption of A-G curriculum as a graduation requirement for LAUSD. Aside from his work with SALEF, Mr. Vaqueráno is also involved with and serves on several boards and committees, such as: Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero (and Monseñor Oscar Romero Charter School), California Hospital Medical Center, Bert Corona Charter School, Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park Foundation, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Education Advisory Council, Rebuild L.A., Habitat for Humanity and the Community Advisory Council for the President of USC, to name a few.
2017
A native Angeleno who grew up in Boyle Heights, Hector Becerra’s first foray into journalism was as the editor of the University Times at Cal State Los Angeles. He started his career at the Los Angeles Times in 1999, and was a general assignment reporter until 2014, covering everything from wildfires to crime to Latino cultural trends. He has been among the first to a murder scene as part of a ride-along in South L.A. and has tried his hand as a field worker, picking strawberries in Santa Maria.
Becerra was part of the team of reporters that won the Pulitizer Prize’s Public Service award for their coverage of the city of Bell corruption scandal. He is now the morning assignment editor for the California section.
2016
The California State University, Los Angeles Academic Senate is pleased to host Scott Budnick, Founder and President of The Anti-Recidivism Coalition, for its third annual Distinguished Lecture on Engagement, Service, and the Public Good. Budnick grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from Emory University in 1999 with degrees in Business and Film. As Executive Vice President of Todd Phillips’ production company, Green Hat Films, Budnick executive produced many successful comedies including the highest grossing rated-R comedies in history, THE HANGOVER series. Outside of film, Budnick is a fierce champion for children in need. Budnick is a teacher and on the Advisory Board for InsideOUT Writers, is a board member of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, and on the Advisory board for the Loyola Law School, Center for Juvenile Law and Policy.
For his work with youth in the criminal justice system, Governor Jerry Brown named Budnick California’s Volunteer of the Year for 2012. In August of 2013, Budnick was appointed to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) by the Speaker of the Assembly, John Perez.
In 2013, Budnick launched The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), an organization of very high-achieving, formerly-incarcerated young adults who work to support one another, while stopping the flow of men and women into the criminal justice system.
2015
