49 Under 49
°µÍøÊÓƵAlumni 49 Under 49 award program recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions in improving and uplifting their communities and beyond. This program identifies up to 49 alumni who are 49 years old or younger and have demonstrated dedication, excellence, and growth in their professional, philanthropic, and personal endeavors. The number "49" was chosen to honor the founding year of CSULB, 1949.
Purpose, service, and leadership are not just empty words but a way of life that is reflected in the achievements and impact of over 400,000 exceptional alumni worldwide. This year's inaugural 49 Under 49 alumni represent a small sample of these remarkable stories. They have been carefully selected from numerous nominations and include entrepreneurs, executives, educators, public servants, doctors, and lawyers who are driving innovation in their respective fields, inspiring their communities, and leading by example as the next generation of The Beach!
2026 49 Under 49 Honorees
Illary Archila
MS, Mechanical Engineering '12
Tiffany Ayers
BS, Kinesiology & Physical Education-Athletic Training '03
Thomas Baker
BS, Human Resources Management'07
Helen Barriere
MS, Counseling, Student Development Higher Education '18
Paolo Beltran
MA, Business Administration '05
Carolyn Carroll
BS, Chemistry '12
Nathaniel Cayanan
BA, Film and Electronic Media '07
Nohel Corral
MS, Counseling, Student Development Higher Education '07
Vanessa Cruz
BA, Dance '21
Joseph Day
MS, Physics '10
Shayleen Fay
BS, Marketing '10
Daisy Flores Rangel
BA, Biology MS, Biology ‘07, ‘11
Lena Gonzalez
BA, Political Science '09
Frederick Griefer
MA, Public Administration '06
Jason Allan Gutierrez
BS, Journalism '14
Brenda Heredia
BA, Sociology '14
Sofia Hodjat
BA, Human Development MS, Gerontology '15 '22
Candice Jacobson
BS, Journalism '07
Olivia Johnson-Sather
MBA/MFA, Theatre Management '18
Ashley Sanchez Jones
MA, Dance '20
Rosemarie Kathy
BA, English '13
Rachel Kilroy
BA, Studio Art '15
Daniel Kubo
MA, Business Administration '23
Angela LaChica
MA, Kinesiology & Physical Education - Sport Management '05
Kevin Lee
BA, English - Creative Writing ‘05
Connor Lock
MA, Public Administration '20
Candace Lopez
BA, Anthropology MA, Anthropology '09, '17
Heber Marquez
BA, Liberal Studies ITEP & Multiple Subjects credential '11
Patrick McCollum
BFA, Dance '06
Laura Meier
BA, English Literature and Composition '00
Juan Morale MS, Electrical Engineering '04
Robert Moya
MA, Public Administration ‘06
Miles Nevin
BS, Criminal Justice MA, Public Administration Ed.D, Higher Ed Leadership '05, '12, '17
Uduak-Joe Ntuk
BS, Chemical Engineering '06
Karlen Nurijanyan
MA, Public Administration '19
Diego Parada
BA, Theatre '13
Steven Peterson
BS, Electrical Engineering MS, Electrical Engineering '13, '15
Rae Jillian Rivera
BS, Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology '19
Zanaida Robles
BM, Vocal Performance '22
Mitra Rogers
BS, Finance '03
Mary Anne Rose
BA, Psychology MS, Student Development in Higher Education ‘99, '02
Lance Santiago
BS, Business Operations Management '19
John Scott
MS, Social Work '12
Kagba Suaray
BS, Mathematics '98
Lauren Sylwanowicz
BS, Biology-Physiology ‘10
Chantal Tiray
BA, Construction Engineering Management '18
James Tuchscher
BS, Civil Engineering '07
Zulema Uriarte-Elizalde
BS, International Business '10
Chantel Vaultz
BA, Black Studies‘07
Ashley Theel
BA, Recreation '07
Louis Williams
BA, Communication Studies MS, Counseling, Student Development Higher Education '09, '21
