Jorge Ramirez ’04
Dear fellow Cal State L.A. Alumni,
It’s a newÂand very busyÂyear! Your Alumni Association has been working hard this winter to bring our members increased benefits, while also planning the University’s GradFair, selecting alumni scholarship recipients, laying out this year’s yearbook and preparing for upcoming networking events and the Annual Alumni Awards Gala. I am proud to announce that our Alumni Mentoring Program has over 300 active participants and has become widely recognized as one of the most respected mentoring programs in the CSU system!
On behalf of the Association volunteers and staff members, I invite you to participate in all of the exciting programs coming up this year! If you are not already a member of the Association, I encourage you to join online at http://alumni.calstatela.edu.
Thank you, in advance, for your support of the CSULA Alumni Association.
Sincerely,
Jorge Ramirez ’04
President, CSULA Alumni Association
I’m a Member! Join Me!
My name is Sean Moore ’00 and I’m a proud graduate of Cal State L.A. As a result of the education and experience that I acquired while attending CSULA, I am now a successful graphic designer at The Walt Disney Company and a volunteer with the Alumni Association.
Although my road to success began in the halls of the University’s Department of Art, my relationship with the Association has enhanced my connection with our University. I joined the Association soon after graduation because I wanted to meet people, and learn skills that would help me compete in this ever-changing economic landscape. Supporting the Association through my membership is also a way for me to “give back” to a University that gave me so much.
The Alumni Association’s committed staff and volunteers have established innovative programs and benefits that have helped me to achieve my professional and personal goals. I can attest to the value of networking with fellow alumni at exclusive Networking Nights, Career Development Workshops and even through the Association’s Facebook and LinkedIn online groups. Members also receive exclusive discounts for products at Office Deport, Dell, and Kaplan. As a member, I also have access to the Career Development Center on campus.
I currently serve as the representative for the Entertainment and the Arts Alumni Network. Alumni Networks sponsor programs targeted towards specific professional industries. Members of the Alumni Association can join any one of our Alumni Networks in the areas of Business, Education, Nursing, Engineering, and Entertainment/Arts to connect with alumni in similar professions.
The Alumni Mentoring Program offers you unparalleled opportunities to meet CSULA alumni and students. In my capacity as a mentor, I have helped students and alumni, providing career-related advice that bridges the gap between the academic environment and the professional world. As a member of the Association you can register as a mentor or mentee.
If you are not yet a member of the Association, this is your chance to connect with fellow alumni, potential employers and the University. To join, visit http://alumni.calstatela.edu today!
Sincerely,
Sean Moore ’00
Representative, CSULA Entertainment and the Arts Alumni Network
Mentors, mentees connect in successful meet-up
(From (l-r): Al Topalian ’67 ’87, Valerie Ventura ’06, Peter Diaz ’97, Karina Ajanel ’09, Taguhi Sogomonyan ’07 ’09, Sharon Grisby ’71, Fortino Arroyo ’11, Jorge Ramirez ’04, Ben Caron ’10, Barry Gordon ’86).
On Feb. 3, the CSULA Alumni Association hosted a successful mentoring event, “Building a Strong Mentor-Mentee Relationship.”
The room buzzed with energy and excitement throughout the evening, as a vibrant and diverse panel of experts provided information on how to build and develop a thriving mentor-mentee relationship, and attendees networked with their peers. The panelists consisted of alumnus Jorge Ramirez ’04 and his mentee Fortino Arroyo ’11; alumnus Barry Gordon ’86 and his mentee Ben Caron ’10; alumna Sharon Grigsby ’71 and her mentee Taguhi Sogomonyan ’07 ’09; alumnus Peter Diaz ’97 and his mentee Karina Ajanel ’09; and alumnus Al Topalian ’67 ’87 and his mentee Valerie Ventura ’06.
Panel members shared their tips for clarifying mentor-mentee roles, listing mentor-mentee responsibilities, breaking the ice, developing mentor-mentee expectations, and establishing regular communications and follow-up. Engaged audience members asked questions and spent time networking with all the mentors and mentees in the room after the discussion.
For more information on the Mentoring Program, visit http://alumni.calstatela.edu/mentoringprogram/index.htm.
The next Alumni Mentoring event, “Speed Mentoring” will be held Wednesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. in the University-Student Union, Los Angeles Room. This fun and innovative program connects alumni professionals with students in small networking groups. To register contact Maria Ubago ’98 ’06 at (323) 343-4945 or e-mail her at [email protected].
25 alumni scholarships awarded in record-breaking year
After receiving a record-breaking number of applications for the 2009-10 Alumni Scholarship, the CSULA Alumni Association is pleased to announce the 25 undergraduate and graduate recipients:
Undergraduate recipients: Stephanie Aoalin (nursing), Fortino Arroyo (electrical engineering), Jasmine Angelica Ceja (child development), Cristina De Cesare (computer science), Valentine Dekermendjian (biology), Erik Escobar (television, film and media studies), Robert Lowery Hanks (aviation administration), Patrick McElree (theatre arts and dance), Raj Shah (philosophy), and Bingjing Yu (accounting).
Graduate recipients: Amira F. Ainis (anthropology), Sean Caonguyen (chemistry), Jennifer Coats (anthropology), Beville Constantine (communication studies), Kristine Dickson (theatre arts), Cheryl J. Groskopf (psychology), Margaret Kaleuati (anthropology), Jacqueline Kiwata (kinesiology), Gigi Yin Chi Kwok (nutritional science), Leo Magrdichian (social work), Miguel Montalva (sociology), Hanzelmae Arreza Olvida (nursing), Stefani Satalino (French), Jordan Swartz (anthropology), and Alicia Tycer (television, film and theatre).
For more than a decade, the CSULA Alumni Assoiation has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to bright and deserving Cal State L.A. students. The primary goal of the Alumni Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance to students to recognize their outstanding leadership, service and participation in campus and community activities. The Association awarded each undergraduate scholarship recipient $1,500, and each graduate scholarship recipient $1,750 at the Scholarship Brunch on Feb. 21.
Mark your calendar—and join us for these upcoming events!
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Resume Writing & Interview Skills Workshop—presented by KAPLAN
When: Thursday, May 6
Time: 6 p.m.—8 p.m. -
Speed Mentoring
When: Wednesday, May 12
Time: 6 p.m.—8 p.m.
Where: Cal State L.A., University-Student Union, Los Angeles Room -
Fitness Forum — Health and Fitness and how it can improve your professional well-being
When: Thursday, June 24
Time: 6 p.m.—8 p.m.
Get ‘logged in’ to YOUR alumni community
The CSULA Alumni Association is adding to your online experience and expanding networking opportunities with “official” group pages on LinkedIn and Facebook. These online networking and social sites can help you develop a community of friends, colleagues, and new contacts for professional and social purposes.
There are currently more than 26,000 Cal State L.A. alumni and students in LinkedIn and close to 1,000 members of the CSULA Alumni Association LinkedIn Group today! To connect, click here.
To get news, events, new membership benefits, share photos, and connect with fellow alumni members, join the official CSULA Alumni Association Facebook Page! To connect, click here.