CAA Chapter Leader Newsletter

September 2022

Cal Alumni Club of Long Beach Alumni Spotlight,

150 Years of CAA & More!

Alumni Spotlight Introducing...

Alicia Estrada

’06 B.A. Legal Studies

Pronoun: She/Hers

Alicia Estrada is a proud UC Berkeley Graduate. At each step of her career, she has encountered fellow Cal Alumni, and each time it has been a wonderful experience to chat with them and reminisce about life in Berkeley. She even met her spouse and closest friends on campus, so Cal is a place she associates with love...and stress!

What was your undergraduate life like at Cal? I was a first-generation student and I missed home very much. Luckily I encountered many opportunities to join student groups and gain support from staff and faculty. I joined TRENZA and The Vagina Monologues, which took up a lot of my extra-curricular time. I worked for the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) managing a small grants program that gave $500 to students who needed a short influx of cash to expand on their academic research or interests. I also had a part-time job at the Law Library, where I met many student teachers and professors while they conducted their own research and studies.

Alicia Estrada ’06, her husband, Eladio Estrada, and her son, Samuel Estrada (left to right) visiting the Campanile.

What advice would you give your undergraduate self? Take fewer classes! Don't get overwhelmed with coursework that isn't interesting to you. There are so many classes that can satisfy requirements, so try a little harder to research more obscure courses. You'll meet people who think differently than you and will expand your horizons.

What life lessons did you learn at Cal that still impact your daily life? Be kind to everyone. Folks have a lot going on in their lives and often juggle many responsibilities. Give them one more break than you think they "deserve" and be a little more patient than your limit dictates. Your patience limit will grow with time. Ask a lot of questions, don't be intimidated by how "smart" your question is, be a humble learner and ask. You will help yourself and others along the way.

Cal Alumna Alicia Estrada ’06 (pictured left) at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii.

What are some current projects you are working on? I am working in Cyber Security as a non-computer science major. There is room for everyone in tech startups, and the liberal arts majors contribute greatly to the field. At my current job, I am learning about hacking and penetration testing from fellow Cal alumni. Check us out at Cobalt! We're always looking for talent.

How do you tap into your Cal Alumni network? I have had several jobs after graduating from Cal; at each one, I have always met fellow Alumni. They are a great resource and our shared past at Berkeley has always been a great icebreaker. The Cal Alumni Club of Long Beach is a great resource and connection opportunity for me. It doesn't take too much time, and I feel great each time as I get a little dose of Cal Spirit from them. I originally joined the Long Beach Cal Alumni Chapter because they sent me an invite on Facebook. I have attended a few meet-and-greet events and a couple of New Admin celebrations. They keep me informed, and I feel useful whenever I can help.

Dr. PK Fonsworth ’06, Keisha Gaines, Kia Gaines ’03, Daniela Messarina ’14

& Alicia Estrada ’06 (left to right) at a Cal Alumni Club of Long Beach gathering.

What is something that you’ve learned from being involved with your alumni chapter? I learned that we all have more free time than we think. When I attend an Alumni Chapter event, I inevitably leave with more contacts, more friends, more knowledge, and more joy. Spending a little bit of time with fellow alumni gives you back more than you give.

What's New in the Alumni Chapters Department?

September Town Hall

Thank you to all the alumni that attended our September Town Hall conversation about Intersectionality. If you missed it, please find the recording below. Co-facilitated by Derek Coates, P.h.D., Disability Access Program Manager, UC Berkeley and Lisa Ho, Academic Director, Master of Information and Cybersecurity. Derek and Lisa led a conversation around our multiple identities, intersectionality, and addressing intersectionality as chapters.

Click Intersectionality to view the faciliator's slide deck.

Click September Town Hall to watch the recording and continue the conversation on 360Alumni!

Save the Date October Alumni Leader Town Hall

Topic: Close-out 2022, Structure & Planning 2023

Date: Thursday, October 20, 2022

Time: 4 - 5:15 p.m. Pacific Standard

Click Registration Link to RSVP

2022 Q4 Grant Application

We are still accepting grant applications for 2022, but funds are running low.

Please apply as soon as possible.

Alumni Welcome Center & 150 Years of CAA

The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) held its annual Alumni Welcome Center at Alumni House to welcome alumni, parents, and students attending homecoming weekend to enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks. The Prytanean Honor’s Society Alumnae, Berkeley Chinese Alumni International Association (BCAIA), Pilipinx American Alumni Chapter (PAAC), and Black Engineering and Science Alumni Club (BESAC) helped support the Alumni Welcome Center at the alumni chapter’s booth! On Friday, September 23, the evening ended with a “Toast to California” to formally celebrate 150 Years of CAA with remarks from Susie Crumpler, CAA Executive Director and Chancellor Carol Christ.

BCAIA representing the alumni chapter’s booth during the Alumni House Welcome Center.

Kirk Tramble ’93, BESAC President Emeritus, Marc Singer ’86, CAA Board Member, Susie Cohen-Crumpler, CAA Executive Director and Chuck Ng, BCAIA President (left to right) after the toast to California to celebrate CAA’s 150th Anniversary.

Summer Welcome Parties!

Thank you to the 34 Chapters that hosted a Summer Welcome Party (SWP) this year! The chapter’s team appreciates all the hard work you have put in to make these events happen!

Cal Alumni Welcome Our Newest Golden Bears

This summer, Golden Bears across the country were thrilled to welcome our newest students in person at Summer Welcome Party gatherings.

Quick Links to…

Event Report Submission

In-person Engagements Application

Grant Application

Board Member Update Form

Virtual Events Toolkit

Social Media Guide

Events Planning & Promotion Toolkit

Career Conversations Toolkit

Zoom Training Workshop

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