Winter 2026
Dear Alumni,
As we move further into 2026, it's a meaningful time to reflect on the impact mentorship has had on our lives and the role it continues to play within the Cal State LA community.
Through my involvement with the Alumni Mentoring Program over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how one conversation, one connection, or one shared experience can make a lasting difference. Mentorship is about more than giving advice. It’s about showing up, listening, and helping one another navigate moments of uncertainty and growth. Whether you’re guiding a student who’s just finding their footing or learning from a fellow alum who’s walked a similar path, mentorship strengthens all of us.
Looking ahead, I encourage you to reflect on the role mentors have played in your own journey, and consider how you might pay that forward. Through Golden Eagles Connect, the university’s virtual mentorship and community hub, there are now even more ways to engage, connect, and support the next generation of Golden Eagles.
I hope you will join me in being part of a community that believes in lifting one another up. Because together, we soar.
Ada Escobar (’00, ’08)
Vice President, Alumni Association
Daniela Meneses ’25
From first-gen student to future attorney
For many first-generation students, the path from college to a professional career can feel paved with questions, unknowns, and unspoken rules. For Daniela Meneses, mentorship bridged the gap between uncertainty and confidence.
Without family or a professional network to offer guidance, Daniela’s connection to the Alumni Association introduced her to the Alumni Mentoring Program and opened the door to one-on-one conversations with alumni attorneys. Hearing their stories and learning about their day-to-day work helped her imagine herself in the legal field and better understand what the journey to law school could look like.
One particular mentoring relationship played a critical role in proceeding with law school applications. When Daniela questioned whether her history degree would limit her law school prospects, her mentor reassured her that law schools value diverse academic backgrounds and that her strong performance mattered far more than her major. Discovering that they shared similar educational experiences helped her see her own path as a strength rather than a barrier.
Today, Daniela is in her first year of law school, ranked in the top 20% of her class, and actively exploring areas of law through summer applications. She is deeply involved in student organizations, serves as mentorship chair for Legal Education Access & Development (LEAD), and continues to pay forward the guidance she once received.
When asked what she would say to students who are unsure about finding a mentor, Daniela shared that even a single, low-commitment conversation can make a difference. Many mentoring experiences begin with one short meeting but can grow into relationships that provide encouragement, accountability, and support.
She remains in close contact with her mentor, who continues to advise her and serve as a professional reference. For Daniela, mentorship is no longer just a resource; it’s a community she now helps build for others.
Her story is a reminder of the strength and resilience of our Golden Eagle community. Click here to connect with Daniela.
Feb. 26
Black Alumni Network Mixer
February 2026 marks the centennial anniversary of Black History Month being formally recognized in the United States.
In honor of this historic milestone, Cal State LA Black Alumni Network invites you to an evening of connection, reflection, and celebration honoring the legacy of the African diaspora and the Golden Eagle community. Click here to register for the mixer.
This event is open to all alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the University.
Feb. 26
Cal State LA Basketball vs. CSU San Bernardino
Women's - 5:30 p.m. | Men's - 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a full evening of Golden Eagle pride, connection, and community!
Arrive early to catch part of the women's game at 5:30 p.m., join us for the Black Alumni Network Mixer at 6 p.m., then head over afterward to cheer on the men’s team at 7:30 p.m.
Alumni attending the Black Alumni Network Mixer receive complimentary admission to the basketball games.
Click here for the latest information on all of our Golden Eagle teams.
Feb. 28
2026 Alhambra Lunar New Year
Join the University for the Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival, a vibrant all-day celebration of AAPI heritage in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley. Featuring cultural performances, live art, authentic cuisine, a unique Cultural Passport experience, and a special booth hosted by Cal State LA. Click here for event information.
March 6
35th Annual Latina History Day Conference
Over 350 Cal State LA alumni are a part of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality’s (HOPE) Leadership program, continuing a legacy that advances change across L.A. in the areas of education, business, and civic life.
The University is proud to serve as an Opal Sponsor of HOPE’s 35th Annual Latina History Day Conference, taking place at the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE on Friday, March 6. If you are attending the conference, stop by the Alumni Association table in between sessions or during the Comadre Network to grab a goodie, say hello, and learn more about our Golden Eagles Connect program. Click here for conference information.
Seeking volunteers:
Alumni Scholarship Committee
Make an impact on the next generation of Golden Eagles.
For more than 30 years, the Alumni Scholarship Committee has transformed lives through the power of access, opportunity, and community. Alumni volunteers review scholarship applications and help select deserving recipients whose stories reflect resilience and determination.
Your involvement makes a difference. Click here to learn more and submit your volunteer application.
Join an Alumni Network
Our Alumni Network Leads play a vital role in building community and strengthening connections across the Golden Eagle family. As dedicated alumni volunteers, they help create welcoming spaces for mentorship, professional growth, and shared identity, connecting students and fellow alumni to opportunities, resources, and each other.
Through their leadership, our networks become more than just groups; they become communities where relationships grow, careers are supported, and Golden Eagles lift one another up.
We invite you to join a network or step into a leadership role and help shape the power of our Cal State LA community. Click here to learn more about Alumni Networks.
Inspire the Next Generation at Grad Fair
Help welcome the Class of 2026 to the alumni family by joining us at Grad Fair on Thursday, March 26, 2026!
The Alumni Association is excited to invite alumni to participate in our Alumni Mentoring Booth, where you can share your insights with graduating students as they prepare for the next chapter of their journey. Click here to learn more and volunteer at the Alumni Mentoring Booth.
Showcase Your Business at Grad Fair
Are you an alumni business owner looking to increase your company's visibility? The Alumni Association invites you to partner with us through sponsorship opportunities at this year’s Grad Fair, our award-winning, one-stop shop event designed to serve our 6,000+ graduating students and their loved ones.
As an official partner, sponsoring businesses receive multiple touchpoints with graduating students and alumni while connecting with future professionals. Click here to learn more about Grad Fair sponsorship opportunities.
Seeking Volunteers:
Alumni Scholarship Committee
Make an impact on the next generation of Golden Eagles.
For more than 30 years, the Alumni Scholarship Committee has transformed lives through the power of access, opportunity, and community. Alumni volunteers review scholarship applications and help select deserving recipients whose stories reflect resilience and determination.
Join us for a virtual information session on Tuesday, March 17. Click here to sign up.
Join CSU Voices
CSU Voices is the California State University’s advocacy community that keeps CSU alumni informed of the issues shaping the future of the CSU system. By taking simple actions like sending messages to elected leaders, you can influence state and federal policy decisions that affect students, campuses, and communities. Join CSU Voices and protect access, affordability, and the value of a CSU degree. Click here to learn more and join the CSU advocacy platform.
Activate or Update Your Free Alumni Membership
Membership is free of charge and provides you with access to unique privileges, benefits, and resources, and invitations to exclusive events. Click here to learn more and submit your application.
Apollo Health Insurance
Apollo Health Insurance has partnered with the Alumni Association to offer alumni access to a comprehensive and affordable range of health insurance options.
Designed for individuals under 65, this partnership provides coverage across a variety of plans, exclusively tailored to your location, including ACA-compliant plans, short-term coverage, health shares, Medicare options, and small group health plans. Click here to learn more about Apollo Health Insurance.
Share Your Story!
Have you published a book, earned an advanced degree, or celebrated a professional milestone? We’d love to hear from you!
Your story helps showcase the incredible impact of Cal State LA alumni across industries and around the globe. Click here to submit a class note for a chance to be featured in an upcoming alumni newsletter or publication.
Reenvisioning the Business Alumni Network
In January, Desirae Aguirre ’14 kicked off her tenure as the new Chair of the Business Alumni Network with Reenvisioning the Business Alumni Network. This virtual event brought together alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community partners to shape the future of the network while emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the power of the Cal State LA community.
Through interactive trivia, industry-based breakout rooms, and open discussion, participants shared ideas around networking, professional development, and mentorship, laying the groundwork for a more connected, responsive alumni network.
Have an idea for a future event? Click here to get involved with the Business Alumni Network.
Eagle Fest 2025
There’s nothing better than Golden Eagles helping future Golden Eagles soar.
Alumni volunteers joined us at Eagle Fest, Cal State LA’s signature open house event for prospective students. The Nov. 15, 2025 event welcomed more than 1,000 students and their supporters to campus. Alumni taking the time to connect with students and their families truly embody what it means to be part of a powerful and supportive Cal State LA community.
Want to join fellow alumni in supporting prospective and current students? Click here to sign up for Golden Eagles Connect to be the first to hear about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
- Monte Perez ’69: East Los Angeles College names Monte E. Perez as new president, Caló News
- David Penaloza ’11: David Penaloza selected as Santa Ana’s new Mayor Pro Tem, New Santa Ana
- Alison Yoshimoto-Towery ’99: JAs Among Gov. Newsom’s 2025 Appointees, The Rafu Shimpo
- Torence Powell ’03: Los Rios Names Torence Powell As Its Next Chancellor, The Sacramento Observer
- Jeffrey Silverman ’77 & Amelia Pérez-Silverman ’76: A love story sparked at Cal State LA returns to campus for Valentine’s jazz celebration, Cal State LA Newsroom