Senior Profiles

Gem Stacy Acabal is Choral Education and Voice Performance major, and serves as the President of American Choral Director’s Association. 

Katherine Gonzalez is a Studio Art major, and serves as the ASI Senator for College of the Arts. 

Lindsay Apaza serves as Executive Vice President/Chair, ASI Board of Directors, and is studying Political Science with a minor in Africana Studies. 

A couple of years after immigrating to the United States from the Philippines, I would pass by LBSU on 7th street and tell myself, “I’m gonna go to college here.” 

I transferred into CSULB in Spring 2020 and was only on campus for about two months until having to transition online. So I did not get a full Beach experience, but overall it was great. 

I am so grateful for the education, experiences, and opportunities CSULB gives to their students. I know that my life’s trajectory is on a great path because of attending CSULB. 

During my senior year here at The BEACH, I was able to partake in numerous activities, networking events, and mentorship programs through the associations I joined. 

After graduating, I plan to enroll in a Master’s degree program in Healthcare Administration. I’d like to continue my education so that I can become a leader in healthcare strategy and marketing for the purpose of reducing maternal and neonatal health disparities. 

My experiences at The Beach have relentlessly surpassed my expectations. I was hesitant to believe that I could avoid a sense of imposter syndrome, but I feel that this community has contributed more to my identity development than anything else in my life.  

As a transfer student in Fall 2018, I knew I had limited time to make the most out of my time in CSULB. Now going into my last semester with a job offer upon graduation, I knew I made those last 2 years count!  

Although COVID has made it difficult because graduation will be different and I cannot spend as much time with my friends in-person, I have been able to enjoy the moments with my friends when we were on campus. 

Once I got I accepted to CSULB, I knew one of my dreams came true!