50th Anniversary Honorees

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Mary Zendejas

Councilwoman Mary Zendejas has made significant strides in the fields of advocacy and public service. As the representative of Long Beach’s 1st District, she achieved the remarkable achievement of becoming the first Latina wheelchair user to be elected to a public office in the United States. Her journey to this position has been marked by her personal experiences, determination, and dedication to making a positive impact in her community.

Mary’s early life was shaped by the challenges she faced due to being diagnosed with Polio as an infant. Despite her physical limitations, she maintained a strong drive to succeed, which was further fueled by witnessing her parents’ hard work. Mary pursued higher education at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where she became the first college graduate in her family. Her commitment to advocacy began during her high school years when she organized citizenship fairs to assist community members in their journey toward becoming US citizens. Her early involvement in community initiatives laid the foundation for her future work. She later founded the Professional Abilities Association of America, an organization focused on promoting inclusion and opportunities for working professionals with disabilities.

Mary’s passion for inclusivity and equality extended to her involvement in various boards and organizations, such as the Murphy Family Foundation Board, the Disabled Resource Center, For the Child, and the Long Beach Transit Board of Directors. Mary graduated from CSULB in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication. Knowing that the no one could take her degree away, helped her out of some dark times and now intentionally provides several scholarships to ensure college students with disabilities are able to complete their higher educational goals.

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Keyon Anderson

Dr. Keyon Anderson is an associate clinical social worker, educator, accomplished author, and community advocate dedicated to empowering and uplifting marginalized communities, particularly focusing on the academic and personal success of African American youth. With a diverse background in education, social work, and community engagement, Dr. Anderson has dedicated his career to bridging gaps in access, advocating for equity, and fostering positive change.

He is currently a full-time lecturer in the MSW program at CSULB and supports BMAC students in their journey towards academic success. Dr. Anderson received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach in 2012 and 2016, respectively along with the Pupil Service Personal Credential in 2017. He received his Doctoral degree from the University of Southern California in 2019.

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Anthony Vasquez

Anthony Vasquez is an alumnus of California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), a former BMAC student, and past lecturer in the Department of Journalism and public Relations. Anthony, who is blind, is an expert in digital accessibility. From 2014-2023, he worked with Knowbility, creating marketing and social media content for the nonprofit as well as helping  clients ensure that their websites and online content are accessible to disabled people. Additionally, Anthony has been involved in research and writing related to Chinese politics and media. He is currently a student of Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, a two-year online course.  Anthony holds a master’s degree in East Asian studies from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree from CSULB with a double major in journalism and Chinese studies. He was an Outstanding Graduate in the College of Liberal Arts at CSULB in 2010.

He lives in Carson, enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family’s Boston terrier named Hines.

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Deaka McClain

Deaka McClain’s life is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and commitment to making a positive impact on the disability community. Her personal experience with cerebral palsy has fueled her passion for using her voice and platform to raise awareness, educate, and empower others. Deaka’s dedication to this community is evident through her involvement in various boards and committees. She is a co-founder and holds the position of Vice President of Public Relations at Divine Victory Ministries, Inc. This nonprofit organization focuses on creating awareness, education, and empowerment within the community by utilizing creative arts to address urban social issues. Through this organization, she co-directed and produced a short documentary called ‘Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired,’ which sheds light on surviving domestic violence. She sits on multiple boards that serve the disability community.  
Currently, she is a commissioner for the LA County Commission on Disabilities, Supervisor Janice Hahn, District 4. She served on Mayor Rex Richardson of Long Beach 100-day plan transition team. 

A former member of the Citizen’s Advisory Commission on Disabilities for the City of Long Beach. She served as the Vice-Chair and Chair for this commission She is also involved in the CSULB Disabled Student Services Advisory Board (Alumni), Harbor Regional Center Client Advisory Committee (Member), Harbor Regional Center Self Determination Advisory Committee (Member and Vice-Chair), Harbor Regional Center Consumer Advocacy Committee (Sergeant of Arms) Former L.A. Care Coordinated Initiative Council Region 4 of Long Beach (Vice- Chair) Currently ECAC Care Member-at-Large representing (Seniors and People with Disabilities), LA Care RCAC 9 (Member), Disability Rights California Board of Directors (Secretary) (Currently Vice-Chair) Department of Developmental Services Consumer Advisory Committee(term out)(Chair), UCLA Tarjan Center Advisory Committee (Member), LB Transit Paratransit Advisory Committee (Vice-Chair). Apart from her board memberships, Deaka volunteers at the Disabled Resources Center and Zoe Center of Whittier, where she actively participates in the Media Ministry as an Administrator. She is a Financial Services Representative, a motivational speaker and a consultant for sensitivity training,  advocacy coaching, a member of a few Democratic clubs in Long Beach, and has volunteered for several political candidates campaigns. She is also a co-host for the podcast called, “Tunnel Vision.” Deaka earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in 2009. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 2016. 

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Caitlin Cutt

Caitlin Cutt has had an exciting career in the true-crime industry. With nearly a decade of experience as a podcast producer and her notable role as a story producer for the Netflix series “Unsolved Mysteries,” she has gained valuable insights into crafting compelling narratives and connecting with individuals who have been involved in captivating and often emotionally charged experiences. Her passion for researching complex stories and engaging with those who have been impacted by such events highlights her dedication to bringing these stories to life for audiences. During her time at CSULB, Caitlin maintained and edited the Literature section of CSULB’s student paper and was recognized for her exceptional academic performance in her program’s graduating class. Caitlin graduated from CSULB in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Comparative World Literature.

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Bob Murphy

A little corner of the world. That’s what philanthropist Bob Murphy ‘62 wanted for the students at Cal State Long Beach. A place where students who had various disabilities could receive assistance. A space that would help the more than 2,300 students achieve their educational degrees and prepare them for their future. Murphy, a champion of students with disabilities, found his spot at the Student Success Center, where the southwest corner bears his name. The Bob Murphy Access Center was a dream that came to fruition with his generous donation in 2017. Murphy’s desire to put the needs of students with disabilities at the forefront is why the BMAC, which opened in 2019, is located at the front corner of the Student Success Center. Murphy’s impact will be felt for years at The Beach through his work with the 49er Foundation, which he served as Chair, and the Bob Murphy Access Center. The center, with its bright yellow walls and multitude of offices, provides, among other services, educational support for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired, or live with autism and learning disabilities.

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Louise Ukleja

The Shakarian family’s legacy is one of compassion and entrepreneurship that focuses on the well-being of others. Louise Shakarian-Ukleja was inspired by her parents’ passion for helping others and her daughter’s diagnosis of multiple learning challenges. She dedicated her life to create an educational environment for her daughter to thrive, which has also had a positive impact on many individuals. Louise’s dedication to creating an inclusive educational environment led to the development of Opportunity Schools in 1990 to support and educate students with learning and social challenges. Louise was a pioneer in this field and her program offered a multisensory instructional program that helped thousands of students’ achieve academic success. The LEADS (Leading, Educating, and Developing Students) program, developed under Louise’s leadership, speaks volumes about her vision to empower students facing significant life challenges. The Shakarian family’s commitment to education has left a lasting impact on countless students’ lives. The Shakarian Family Student Success Center continues to house programs and services that break down barriers and foster an environment where students can thrive.