Twenty-one women from the Cal State LA community, including students, alumnae, faculty, and staff, were recognized during the 21st Annual Distinguished Women Awards this week.
President William A. Covino said the honorees are the transformative people contributing to student success.
“They are the people who provide the kind of wealth and atmosphere that makes it possible for our students to be successful,” said President Covino. “Welcome everyone. Congratulations everyone.”
The Distinguished Women Awards, an annual tradition at Cal State LA for at least two decades, took place on May 9, 2023, in the South Village student housing community after a temporary four-year break.
This year’s honorees include:
Students
- Taryn Bates, undergraduate, Sociology, ’24
- Kaylin Drake, undergraduate, Public Health, ’23
- Holly Kim, graduate, Applied Mathematics, ’23
- Chau Nu Kim Ton, graduate, Accounting, ’24
Alumna
- Sasha Renée Pérez, ’16 B.A. Economics and ’16 B.A. Political Science, Alhambra City Councilmember
- Nina Torres, ’14 B.S. Political Science with an option in Prelegal Studies, minor in Communication, Black College Success Academic Advisor, LA Promise Fund
Alumna & Staff
- Marjani Chidinma, alumna, ’11, Associate Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Recruitment
- Jessica Vera, alumna, ’22, Coordinator of Food and Housing Security, Office of the Dean of Students
Staff
- Alba Galaviz, Administrative Support Coordinator, School of Social Work, Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services
- Monica Ling, Academic Advisor, Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services Advising Center
- Wendi Vaughn, Assistant Director, Pathway Programs
Faculty
- Luoman Bao, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, College of Natural and Social Sciences
- Sandra Jasmin Gutiérrez de Jesús, Assistant Professor, Department of Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies & Latin American Studies Program, College of Ethnic Studies and College of Natural and Social Sciences
- Jessica Morales-Chicas, Associate Professor, Department of Child and Family Studies, Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services
- Maria Oropeza-Fujimoto, Associate Professor, Division of Applied and Advanced Studies in Education, College of Education
- Kimberly Persiani, Professor of Teacher Education and Chair, Division of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education
- Leda Ramos, Lecturer, Department of Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies, College of Ethnic Studies
- Elina Saeki, Associate Professor, Division of Special Education and Counseling, College of Education
- Anita Tijerina Revilla, Professor and Chair, Department of Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies, College of Ethnic Studies
Administrators
- Emily Acevedo, Director of Academic and Facilities Planning, Office of Planning and Budget
- Taffany Lim, Executive Director, Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good
The Division of Student Life, including the University-Student Union and the Cross Cultural Centers, hosted the event with support from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.