Alumni Association

The Cal State East Bay Alumni Association facilitates a lifelong connection between the university and alumni.

We engage students, our alumni of tomorrow, by building relationships and passing on the culture of service and philanthropy. Together with our campus partners, we keep community stakeholders informed, involved and inspired about the university and our alumni successes.

Our Priorities

In support of our mission, the Alumni Association has selected core priorities to focus our efforts over the next several years. We believe that by driving initiatives under these priorities, we can enhance our engagement with the alumni community. We have created both short and long-term measurable action items under the priorities of:

  • Student Success & Outreach
  • Equity, Inclusion, & Anti-Racism

Enhance the overall student experience to increase engagement and retention while promoting intellectual achievement and career readiness.  In addition, we're working to build connections through brand awareness and communications to build alumni and donor engagement.

  • Improve graduation rates and close equity gaps
  • Create an engaging and inclusive student & alumni experience
  • Prepare students for successful careers
  • Make education more affordable and accessible.
  • Deepen and expand regional community engagement initiatives.
  • Enhance Cal State East Bay brand awareness and reputation.

Our primary focus is to engage alumni and students with shared life experiences, creating opportunities for them to connect, build community, and celebrate diversity. In doing so, we remain committed to recognizing injustice and embedding equity and accountability into the universities and the alumni associations' decisions and practices.

Alumni Association Board Meetings

Board meetings are held quarterly at the Hayward Campus and via Zoom. Meetings are open to all alumni and we encourage your to attend. Please see the FY24/25 BOD Meeting Schedule for more information.

 Want to connect with us outside of our board meetings? Email us at alumni@csueastbay.edu

Alumni Association Board of Directors Executive Committee

Paige Luben, MBA

President

BS '09, Business Administration

Terms: 2020–22; 2022-24, 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Software

FUN FACT:
I was adopted as a baby.

Parker Rugeley

Parker Rugeley, MPA

President-Elect, Lead Board Recruitment & Alumni IT Specialist

BA, BS '18, Political Science & Criminal Justice; '20 MPA

Terms: 2020–22; 2022-24, 2024-26

Industry:

Information Technology

FUN FACT:
I played euphonium for the university symphony band and bass trombone for the university jazz band my freshmen year.

Melody Simmons-Hudson

Melody Simmons-Hudson, MBA

Treasurer & Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Committee Member

BA '09

Terms: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:
Finance & Social Impact

FUN FACT:
During my trip to Bali, Indonesia, I conquered my fear of heights by soaring through the jungle on the Forest Swing in Ubud. It was an incredible and liberating experience, I can now cross this off my bucket list!

Raj Prasad

Raj Prasad

Chancellor & Outreach and Engagement Chair

BS '03, Business Administration

Terms: 2021–23, 2023-25

Michelle Rippy, Ed.D.

Michelle Rippy, Ed.D.

Immediate Past President

BS '02, Forensic Science

Terms: 2017-19, 2019-21, 2021-2023, 2023-2025

INDUSTRY:
Higher Education

FUN FACT:
I enjoy being an urban gardener.

Robert Mendenhall

Robert Mendenhall

Student Success Committee Chair

BS '92, Physics

Term: 2023-25

Emerald Templeton, Ed.D.

Emerald Templeton, Ed.D.

Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Chair

BA Human Development '06

Terms: 2022-24, 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Higher Education

FUN FACT:

I'm reading and listening to 2-3 books at any given time! I love to read about social politics and listen on Audible to memoirs and autobiographies.

Board Members

Veronica Collins, MS

Veronica Collins, MS

BA '19, Health Sciences

Terms: 2022-24, 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Health Policy

FUN FACT:

I am a Veteran and first-generation student.

Placeholder Profile Photo

Dessiree Cuevas

Student Success Committee

BA '21, Psychology

Term: 2024-26

Raven Davis

Raven Davis

Student Success Committee

BA '14, Communications

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Healthcare

FUN FACT:
I won the CSUEB Department of Communication's Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher, but I hate reading despite my love to learn.

Kabir Dhillon

Kabir Dhillon

Student Success Committee

BS '22, Computer Science

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Technology

FUN FACT:
I've built over 75 LEGO sets.

Placeholder Profile Photo

Stan Herbert III

Student Success Committee

BS '76, Business Administration

Term: 2023-25

Nikole Hobson

Nikole Hobson

Student Success Committee

MBA '23, BA '09

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Real Estate

FUN FACT:
I am an avid Yogini and practice yoga 3-5 times a week.

Amer Orabi

Amer Orabi

BS '16, Business Administration

Terms: 2021–23, 2023-25

Lindsay Samples

Lindsay Samples

Outreach and Engagement Committee, Alumni Association Scholarship Committee

BA '04, Liberal Studues

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Government Grant Management

FUN FACT:
I enjoy running, but I am a slow runner. I once came in last in a 10K race with a police escort as they opened the street behind me!

Placeholder Profile Photo

Elnaz Sarraf

BA '12

Term: 2024-26