Making Waves: September 2024
Making Waves is a monthly column that celebrates accomplishments of the CSULB community.
Employee of the Month: BMAC coordinator Ashley Frederick
Ashley Frederick ‘22 was named August’s Employee of the Month for her impactful work as the front office coordinator at the Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC). With her expertise in American Sign Language, Frederick has helped numerous students feel comfortable disclosing their disabilities and registering for support services. Mary Nguyen, BMAC director, praised Frederick for breaking down barriers and fostering a welcoming environment, noting that students often return to BMAC with friends, seeking her assistance. Frederick’s dedication to erasing stigma and promoting accessibility is evident in her compassionate approach. “It brings me pride and joy to give back to the university in a supportive way,” Frederick said. Her contributions continue to strengthen the sense of belonging for students with disabilities at CSULB.
Professor shares gender research at White House event
Psychology Professor May Ling Halim participated in the White House Toy and Children's Entertainment Industry Roundtable on Sept. 5. The event, hosted by the Office of Public Engagement and the Gender Policy Council, gathered 18 participants, including executives from major companies like Mattel, Hasbro and Apple. Halim shared insights from her research on gender development, highlighting how societal pressures around appearance can affect the mental and physical health of girls as young as 3 years old. Her findings suggest that preoccupation with appearance can limit aspirations and can lead to problems, such as low self-esteem and eating disorders. During the discussion, Halim advocated for increasing awareness of these issues and promoting inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches in toys and media, urging companies to collaborate with researchers to reduce harmful stereotypes.
Civil engineering student earns prestigious fellowship
Benny Herrera, a third-year civil engineering student, has been named a 2025 Minority Student Fellow by the Transportation Research Board (TRB). As part of TRB’s effort to promote diversity in transportation, Herrera will present his research at the board’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in January. The meeting draws more than 13,000 transportation professionals from around the world. The prestigious program, launched in 2010, supports students from minority-serving institutions, offering them the chance to engage with a broad network of professionals and participate in various events, including poster sessions and committee meetings. Fellows also are paired with mentors who align with their academic and career goals. Herrera’s selection highlights both his academic commitment and the opportunities TRB provides to enhance representation in the transportation field.
Theatre Arts Department recognized for acting excellence
Cal State Long Beach has been recognized by the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA) with a 2024 Excellence Award for Undergraduate Training in Acting. The award highlights the Theatre Arts Department’s dedication to equipping theatre students for professional-level training. CSULB was one of only two institutions honored this year, with Concordia University receiving recognition in the Design & Technology category. According to URTA, these awards underscore the role of institutions and instructors in equipping students with the skills necessary for advanced theatre education and future careers in the field. CSULB will be honored in January at the URTA Auditions & Interviews, a key event that includes workshops, classes and discussions relevant to theater professionals and aspiring graduates.
Alumna honored among Delta Zeta’s '35 under 35'
Olivia Kocsis ‘20 has been selected by the Delta Zeta sorority as a 2024 recipient of the prestigious “35 Under 35” award. The recognition celebrates young professionals who have made significant contributions in their fields. Kocsis, a speech-language pathologist at Ensign Services and PACS Post Acute, attributes her career to her personal experience recovering from sports-related concussions, which inspired her to help others with similar challenges. A former chapter president of Delta Zeta at CSULB, Kocsis — who has a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and sciences —a lso has participated in international hearing missions, applying her expertise to improve lives globally. Her story will be featured in Delta Zeta’s The LAMP this fall.
New novel highlights 1930s deportations in Los Angeles
Faculty member Désirée Zamorano’s latest novel, "Dispossessed" (Running Wild Press, 2024) explores 1930s Los Angeles and the mass deportations of Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Zamorano, a Los Angeles native, is known for tackling issues of invisibility and injustice in her work, and "Dispossessed” is no exception. Based on historical events, the story traces the life of Manuel, a boy who is separated from his parents during the mass deportations. She is the author of "The Amado Women" and "Human Cargo," and teaches linguistic and cultural diversity in the Department of Education, where she continues to champion underrepresented voices. Said author Héctor Tobar about the new book: “'Dispossessed’ is a heartfelt, moving work about an episode of Los Angeles history long erased from our collective memory."
Professor’s monograph explores Middle Eastern literature
F. Elizabeth Dahab, a professor of comparative world literature at The Beach, has released her latest monograph, “Poetics of Contemporary Narratives in the Arabic Diaspora” (Lexington Books, 2024). The scholarly work delves into the literature of Middle Eastern diasporic writers in Canada and France, including Wajdi Mouawad and Rawi Hage, offering a nuanced exploration of themes and styles across borders. A leading voice on Arab Canadian literature, Dahab has published extensively on exile and diasporic narratives. Her previous works include “Voices of Exile in Contemporary Canadian Francophone Literature and Voices in the Desert,” an anthology of Arabic-Canadian women writers. Dahab holds a doctorate from the Université de Paris IV-Sorbonne and continues to explore literary intersections through ongoing projects, including a novel and a collection of poems.
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