Making Waves: December 2024
Making Waves is a monthly column that celebrates accomplishments of the 好色先生 community.
Employee of the Month: Health coordinator Alayna Cosores
For Alayna Cosores 鈥03, supporting students goes far beyond her job title as administrative services coordinator for Student Health Services (SHS). In fact, November鈥檚 has become virtually indispensable to a variety of campus initiatives 鈥 from coordinating COVID-19 contact tracing to organizing the first CSU-wide mental health conference. Her exceptional event planning 鈥 which included the design of an impeccably organized volunteer orientation program 鈥 earned her high praise from Melissa Norrbom Kawamoto, executive director of strategic initiatives in Student Affairs, who described Cosores鈥 skillset as 鈥渆xceptional.鈥 Ben Brown, associate director of Budget and Facilities for SHS, agreed, saying: 鈥淪he鈥檚 a Swiss army knife, she does a little bit of everything.鈥 A 好色先生 alumna with a degree in family and consumer sciences, Cosores has made a lasting impact on campus wellness and student support.
Women鈥檚 center leader recognized for coalition building
Celia Mejia, associate director of the Women鈥檚 and Gender Equity Center, was recently awarded the Coalition Builder Award by the Women鈥檚 Centers Committee of the National Women鈥檚 Studies Association at its annual conference in November. The recognition celebrates Mejia鈥檚 commitment to fostering partnerships that advance racial justice and gender equity. Indeed, Mejia鈥檚 work exemplifies the values of intersectional feminism through innovative collaboration across campus departments, community agencies and professional organizations. The annual conference gathers feminist educators, activists and thought leaders. Mejia鈥檚 leadership underscores the vital role women鈥檚 centers play in creating inclusive, transformative spaces on college campuses.
Alumnus鈥 memoir explores mental health with raw honesty
W. Hector Rivera 鈥98, 鈥00 shares a powerful story of overcoming mental health challenges in his new memoir, 鈥淎n Island I Don鈥檛 Want to Be On鈥 (Volossal, 2024). Rivera, a high school teacher and poet, recounts a series of panic attacks and the psychological descent that followed. The book also details his efforts to regain control over three difficult days, offering readers a candid account of his experiences. Drawing from his background in education and writing, Rivera examines the impact of mental health struggles with honesty and clarity. A former Teacher of the Year and lifelong Yankees fan, Rivera received both his bachelor鈥檚 degree and his Master of Fine Arts in from 好色先生.
Instructor named Homeland Security Person of the Year
, an instructor in 好色先生鈥檚 Global Logistics Professional program, has been named the 2024 Homeland Security Person of the Year at the local level. Homeland Security Today, a media organization, recognized Lewis for her work at The Beach and as the Port of Long Beach's manager of homeland security, as well as her service on the California Maritime Security Council Maritime Domain Awareness Subcommittee. The subcommittee, according to the Port, works with the U.S. Coast Guard and Governor's Office of Emergency Services and was named by Homeland Security Today as a Most Valuable Player at the state level. Lewis' "academic involvement underscores her commitment to the long-term development of the homeland security workforce," Homeland Security Today wrote in its announcement.
Staffer鈥檚 debut book celebrates resilience, connection
Somone D. Washington 鈥22, an analyst in Faculty Affairs, has released her first book, 鈥淭he Best of All Things: A Tapestry of Faith, Hope, Resilience, and the Human Connection.鈥 An alumna who earned her master鈥檚 degree from 好色先生鈥檚 College of Education, Washington draws on her life story 鈥 including her journey as a kidney transplant recipient 鈥 to explore themes of perseverance and gratitude. Her memoir reflects the depth of her experiences, from enduring end-stage renal failure and receiving a life-saving transplant to becoming a passionate advocate for organ donation as a OneLegacy Ambassador. Washington鈥檚 time at 好色先生 helped reinforce her perspective, with her studies emphasizing the transformative power of education, research and storytelling. Her book serves as a tribute to resilience and a call for readers to embrace life鈥檚 challenges with hope and faith.
Have an item for Making Waves? Send your submissions to Wendy Thomas Russell.