Alumni Success Stories
We are always pleased to hear from Long Beach City College students and graduates who have achieved success after moving forward in their professional pursuits. These are just a few stories from these exceptional men and women.
To read about the LBCC Foundation’s Funding Our Future campaign, click here.
To read about the LBCC Foundation’s impact in the community, click here.
To read about LBCC’s Athletic Department and our student-athletes, click here.
LBCC President’s Ambassadors
For more than 20 years, Long Beach City College and the LBCC Foundation have partnered to support an elite student group of public relations representatives known as the President’s Ambassadors.
The President’s Ambassadors are a select group of students who serve on behalf of the Superintendent-President.
LBCC Alumna Appointed to the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults
Last month, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn appointed Long Beach City College alumna Karen Reside to the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults. Reside is retired from a long career in the nonprofit sector supporting the Long Beach community. “I am honored to be able to contribute to the well-being of all seniors in Los Angeles County and look forward to serving to advance their interests,” said Reside.
LBCC Celebrates the Classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022
An exciting Commencement Ceremony for Long Beach City College
With much anticipation, Long Beach City College held its Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 9th at Veterans Stadium. This event held a special meaning for graduating students, as we celebrated not just the class of 2022, but the classes of 2020 and 2021 as well. The last in-person ceremony took place in 2019 with more than 800 graduates, with the 2020 and 2021 ceremonies being held virtually in their respective years.
The Northern California Dream Team
Five ambitious alumni chase their dreams
In 2015, five LBCC students from an Associated Student Body (ASB) club graduated with their Associate Degrees and collectively transferred to Northern California universities. Sugar (McQuarn) Caradonna, Kehfun Ikemba (Eron Liddy), Bresheena (Baseel) Okeke, Tiffany Onyejekwe, and Nailah Sewell can now reflect on the benefits of attending LBCC. The synergy of their club, Developing African American Professionals (DAAP), helped them stay on track and served as a force multiplier.
2022 LBCC Hall of Fame Celebration – Nominations are Open!
Deadline has been extended to Saturday, March 26th at 5 pm!
We are excited to announce the call for nominations for the 2022 LBCC Hall of Fame Recognition Awards. These annual awards recognize outstanding contributions to the Viking Community by LBCC Alumni and the Long Beach Community overall. Honorees will be presented at the Hall of Fame Celebration on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at The Grand in Long Beach.
Calling all LBCC Alumni – Download Your FREE Digital Alumni Card!
LBCC Alumni Association
It’s now easier than ever to stay connected with the Long Beach City College community. Next week is the launch of the Alumni Association digital membership cards. With this membership, our Viking Community members will receive exclusive access to networking opportunities, career resources, social events, discounts, and more.
Chief Robert Luna
Long Beach Police Department
The Long Beach City College Foundation would like to recognize the incredible career of Chief Robert Luna, LBCC alumnus and a respected leader in Long Beach. Chief Luna is planning to retire this December after a nearly 37-year career with Long Beach Police.
Taryn Williams
University of California, Irvine
For many students, the path to higher education is anything but direct. Each year, LBCC students overcome challenges to beat the odds that are oftentimes stacked against them. For Taryn Williams, this is one such story of resilience.
caryn desai, Inductee
LBCC Alumni Hall of Fame 2020-2021
As an actor and director, caryn desai is no stranger to a good story. caryn’s story is one of fierce independence and a drive for education. Born in Camden, New Jersey as one of six sisters, that independence was necessary for her to find herself and discover her passion for the arts.
Sylvester “Duke” Givens, Inductee
LBCC Alumni Hall of Fame 2020-2021
Sylvester “Duke” Givens is Long Beach through and through. Born at Saint Mary Medical Center, Duke had a full childhood at his parent’s house on the 2100 block of Lime, where his father still lives.
John Malveaux, Inductee
LBCC Alumni Hall of Fame 2020-2021
Born in Beaumont, TX, John Malveaux attended Long Beach City College under the name John Champion. The name was fitting, not only for his successes as an athlete, which included a State Championship in Track and Field at LBCC, but also because John has spent his life championing diversity and human dignity.
Charles Parks, Inductee
LBCC Alumni Hall of Fame 2020-2021
Born in Manor, TX outside of Austin, Charles Parks was part of the first wave of desegregation in Texas schools. Charles found his options for College in his home state limited, and he faced a choice as he graduated high school: stay in Texas and commute over 2 hours to the nearest college that accepted African-Americans or strike out on his own in search of a better opportunity.
Cynthia Terry, Inductee
LBCC Alumni Hall of Fame 2020-2021
Born in Chickasha, OK, Cynthia Terry grew up in a home where creativity and genius manifested and her parents allowed her and her siblings to grow into themselves.
Alumni Establish Scholarship Endowment
Jeff and Judy Napper
When you talk about Long Beach City College alums being supportive and giving back, Jeff and Judy Napper really shine.
Amelia Bolton
CBS Sports
And the award goes to… Amelia Bolton!
That is an incredible declaration to hear, even more so when the award you’ve earned is an Emmy.
Amelia’s journey started at Long Beach City College, taking essential courses for 2 years before heading to USC to study film. While at USC, she interned for Seth Meyers and Conan, highly regarded late night tv programs. ‘My first job out of college was at Jimmy Kimmel, which was great because I definitely wanted to do late night, that was my goal,’ recalls Bolton fondly.
Cesar Fierro-Arizon
ASB President, Class of 2021
Cesar Fierro-Arizon’s ASB Presidency was anything but ordinary. Beginning in July 2020, he spent the months leading up to and beginning his term looking for a team that not only wanted to advance his Agenda, but had the ability to do so during a time that has seen unprecedented road blocks for education and business.
Guy Heston
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Long Beach Transit (ret.)
“My family is LBCC through-and-through.” LBCC alumnus Guy Heston isn’t afraid to put things succinctly – something he learned during the daily ten-minute news broadcasts he produced, wrote, and delivered with his friend Leonard as a student volunteer for the campus radio station, The Voice of City College. Guy’s father and brother-in-law are alumni, and his brother and sister-in-law both taught at LBCC. Long Beach City College was transformative for his family, like many others, and opened new horizons – both academically and professionally.
Dr. Andrea Scott and Kurtis Williams
Co-Founders Session Sync, Nationwide Telehealth Platform
Meet LBCC alumni Dr. Andrea Scott and Kurtis Williams, partners in every sense of the word. These newlyweds are the co-founders of Session Sync, a nationwide telehealth platform. Their idea to connect patients and licensed psychologists for telemental health services couldn’t have been better timed to help people negotiate mental health care in a pandemic landscape.
Valarie Frost
Director of Recreation & Community Services, City of Lakewood
Valarie Frost embodies the concept of servant leadership. As the Director of Recreation & Community Services for the City of Lakewood Valarie works to provide connections and resources to her community. Her leadership journey began as a student at Long Beach City College.
2020 Alumni Hall of Fame Honorees Announced
The 2020 Hall of Fame honorees are International City Theatre’s artistic director caryn desai; photographer Duke Givens; concert promoter/arts presenter John Malveaux; retired Long Beach Police Commander Charles Parks; and educator Cynthia Terry.
“During these challenging times of remote learning, it’s wonderful to celebrate our distinguished alumni and their many accomplishments to serve as an inspiration to our current students,” said Long Beach Community College District Interim Superintendent-President Lou Anne Bynum.