Maureen O'Connell '83

I have to say, my time at California State University Long Beach was truly life-changing. One of the most impactful experiences for me was getting involved in student government. I remember going to the student services office and expressing my desire to be more involved on campus. They pointed me in the right direction and helped me revive the Criminal Justice Student Association. From there, I was elected as a senator for the Applied Arts and Sciences and eventually became student body president in my last year. The friendships I made during this time have lasted until today and have had a huge impact on my life and career. In fact, I credit Cal State Long Beach for my success at Northrop Grumman, where I have been for 41 years as a security manager. The skills and knowledge I gained from my involvement in student activities have been invaluable in my career and personal life. I am forever grateful for the guidance and support I received from the student services committees and administrators at Cal State Long Beach. They encouraged students like me, who commuted to school, to get involved and make lasting connections. And that's exactly what I did. My friendships from Cal State Long Beach are like family to me, and I know they will continue to be a part of my life until we all pass away. I truly believe that everything I learned at Cal State Long Beach has contributed to my success, and I couldn't be more thankful.