Making Waves: November 2024
Making Waves is a monthly column that celebrates accomplishments of the CSULB community.
Employee of the Month: Program developer Chao Huang
A broadcast journalist-turned-program developer for the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) has been named October’s Employee of the Month. Born and raised in Beijing, Chao Huang earned her bachelor’s degree at the Communication University of China and launched her career as a news anchor and editor, first in China and later in the United States. Since joining CSULB in 2019, she helped launch the new Online RN to BSN degree program and manages the Master of Science in Health Care Administration Accelerated Program, now in its 20th year. Praised by Associate Dean Alysa Turkowitz as “exemplary,” Huang manages complex international study-abroad programs with detail and efficiency. Her collaborative leadership and budget acumen have impressed colleagues like Nursing Department Chair Michael Williams, who described Huang as “a ray of sunshine.”
Student media programs earn national journalism awards
Cal State Long Beach student media received top national recognition this month, with Beach TV News (BTVN) securing the 2024 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker award and the College Media Association’s TV Station of the Year title. DIG magazine was one of 14 winners in the feature/general magazine category, and the Daily 49er (now the Long Beach Current) multiplatform team was named one of 11 Pacemaker winners in its class. Regarded as some of the highest in collegiate journalism, the awards recognize Beach excellence in student broadcasting and journalism. The BTVN honors are all the more significant given its youth; the broadcast rebranded and relaunched just two years ago under the guidance of decorated new veteran Jesús Ayala.
Campus leaders recognized for environmental impact
CSULB recently celebrated faculty, staff, and student contributions to environmental stewardship at the Sustainability Leaders’ Appreciation Event, held at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. Hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the President’s Commission on Sustainability, with backing from the Port of Long Beach, the event featured a “Wall of Wow,” spotlighting those advancing campus sustainability — including Clint Campbell’s leadership in moving Beach Shops to compostable materials and the ASI Sustain U team’s role in boosting student involvement. Professors Ezra LeBank and Paul Laris, chairs of theater arts and geography, respectively, were also recognized for training over 100 faculty in sustainability-focused teaching. Professor Kimberly Kelly announced the launch of a new Sustainability Leadership Award, with nominations opening in the spring.
Housing director receives mentoring award
Fatou Olshanski, director of CSULB’s Housing & Residential Life team, has received the Region VI Sandra Kuchler Excellence in Mentoring Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). The annual award honors student affairs professionals who consistently guide and uplift others' personal and professional development. Known for her dedication to fostering a supportive community, Olshanski was recognized this month alongside other honorees at the NASPA Western Regional Conference in San Diego. She also received a complimentary NASPA membership for the coming year. The award reflects Olshanski's impactful work mentoring students and colleagues, a role she has wholly embraced throughout her time at CSULB.
CSULB awarded silver-level ‘Bike Friendly University’ status
The Beach has been recognized as a silver-level “Bike Friendly University” by the League of American Bicyclists in 2024, honoring its commitment to supporting a safe and sustainable biking environment on campus. Cyclists at CSULB enjoy convenient “parking” next to their destinations, eliminating parking permit costs, and can plan their routes using the Long Beach and Orange County bike maps. The university also offers resources including three bike fix-it stations, free tool kits at the Visitor Information Center and Parking Office, and U-locks and bike lights available at the campus bookstore. With this silver-level designation, CSULB is actively promoting green transportation options and fostering a bike-friendly campus. The Campus Wheel Path project provides information, maps and tips for cyclists.
Professor’s poem highlights Indigenous perspectives
Theresa Gregor, an associate professor in American Indian Studies, brings a dedicated focus to California and American Indian women’s experiences through her scholarship and creative work, emphasizing gender, identity and cultural revitalization. Her recent poem “Hantak Siñy/Frog Woman” was published in “Yáamay: An Anthology of Feminine Perspectives Across Indigenous California,” adding to her contributions in the areas of language repatriation and decolonization. As demand for ethnic studies courses grows, Gregor and her colleagues’ commitment ensures that CSULB students gain valuable insights into Indigenous histories and perspectives.
Trivia team wins sixth straight time, retains Grasshopper Cup
Cal State Long Beach’s Trivia Bowl team once again clinched the Grasshopper Cup at the 26th annual Asian American Journalists Association-L.A. Trivia Bowl in October. Competing against 37 teams, including major news outlets and eight regional colleges and universities, CSULB demonstrated wide-ranging knowledge across current events, literature and sports. Down by a single point to Claremont McKenna heading into the final round, the team rallied to secure its sixth consecutive collegiate win — and third straight title during in-person competitions. Team members included College of Liberal Arts students Mary Catipay, Samuel Chacko, Ava Laguercia, Diego Lievanos, Alina Ti and Madison Yang, with guidance from two advisors, associate professor Chris Karadjov and Strategic Communications writer Richard Chang.
Have an item for Making Waves? Send your submissions to Wendy Thomas Russell.
