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

It is our board's value that we work to ensure our activities align with the diversity of our alumni body and strengthen connections to improve equity for all alumni and students. In support of our mission and values, the Alumni Association has selected three core priorities to focus our efforts over the next several years.

  • Pathways to Career Success
  • Meaningful Connections & Events
  • Pioneer Pride
 Each area has a designated committee that works to advise and support the initiatives thereof. All alumni are welcome to participate in committees, and can express interest by emailing us at Alumni@csueastbay.edu. 

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 you to attend. Please see the  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

Parker Rugeley Read More about Parker Rugeley, MPA

Parker Rugeley, MPA

President

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

Terms: 2020–22; 2022-24, 2024-26

Industry:

Information Technology

FUN FACT:
I played at Carnegie Hall in New York as freshman in High School.

Kabir Dhillon Read More about Kabir Dhillon

Kabir Dhillon

President Elect

BS '22, Computer Science

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Technology, iOS Development, Software Engineering

FUN FACT:
I've built over 87 LEGO sets

Melody Simmons-Hudson Read More about Melody Simmons-Hudson, MBA

Melody Simmons-Hudson, MBA

Treasurer

BA '09

Terms: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:
Accounting/Finance, Social Justice, Entrepreneurship

FUN FACT:
Shortly after walking the stage at Cal State Hayward, I packed up and moved to LA to chase my curiosity about the entertainment world. If you look quickly and closely, you might spot me as an extra, stand-in, or stunt double on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, That’s So Raven, Barbershop, and many other Hollywood favorites in the early 2000s. Fun times under the lights, camera, action! 🎬✨

Raven Davis Read More about Raven Davis

Raven Davis

Chief Administrative Officer

BA '14, Communications

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Healthcare industry; communications professional

FUN FACT:
I love learning random facts, especially about history.

Nikole Hobson Read More about Nikole Hobson

Nikole Hobson

Meaningful Connections and Events Committee Leader

MBA '23, BA '09

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Technology, Operations, Venture Capital, Startups, Projects

FUN FACT:
I like to practice yoga, it’s my happy place.

Stan Herbert Read More about Stan Hebert III

Stan Hebert III

Pathways to Career Success Committee Leader

BS '76, Business Administration

Term: 2023-25, 2025-2027

INDUSTRY:

Marketing/Advertising, Mentoring/Coaching, Higher Education Administration

FUN FACT:

Played football for CSU Hayward

Paige Luben Read More about Paige Luben, MPA

Paige Luben, MPA

Immediate Past President

BS '09, Business Administration

Terms: 2020–22; 2022-24, 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Tech

FUN FACT:
I once stepped in as Chuck E. Cheese for a kid’s birthday party—giant (slightly smelly) mouse head and all.

Board Members

Akisha Thomas Read More about Akisha B. Thomas

Akisha B. Thomas

BS '10 Sociology. MS '12 Social Work

Term: 2025-27

INDUSTRY:

Public Service, Social Work, Clinical Social Work.

FUN FACT:

I enjoy the outdoors; hiking, fishing and community service work

Annetta Clark Read More about Annetta Clark

Annetta Clark

BS '00 Criminal Justice, BS '08 Sociology 

Term: 2025-27

INDUSTRY:

Social Services, Collaborations w/Non-Profits, Fundraising

FUN FACT:

I collect handbags, love them!

Charlie Watkins Read More about Charlie Watkins

Charlie Watkins

BA '16 Sociology, MBA '25 General Business & Finance 

Term: 2025-27

INDUSTRY:

Business Advisor. Consulting is primarily about relationship building. Any activity with this in mind, I am on board! 

FUN FACT:

I have traveled to 25 states and plan to see the other half one day!

Dessiree Cuevas Read More about Dessiree Cuevas

Dessiree Cuevas

Student Success Committee

BA '21, Psychology

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Higher Education and Student Affairs

FUN FACT:

I love F1!

Elnaz Sarraf Read More about Elnaz Sarraf

Elnaz Sarraf

BA '12

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

AI, Education, Business, Marketing, Sales, Fundraising, Entrepreneurship

FUN FACT:

It always shocks people when they learn I am a pilot!

Krishneel Sen Read More about Krishneel Sen

Krishneel Sen

BS '19 Heath Science, MS '23 Health Care Managment

Term: 2025-27

INDUSTRY:

Healthcare

FUN FACT:

On my free time I enjoy fishing and crabbing!

Lindsay Samples Read More about Lindsay Samples

Lindsay Samples

BA '04, Liberal Studues

Term: 2024-26

INDUSTRY:

Public sector grant administration

FUN FACT:
I advocated for heart health by speaking to representatives in Washington, D.C.

Natahlee Wilson Read More about Natahlee Wilson

Natahlee Wilson

BS '20 Kinesiology

Term: 2025-27

INDUSTRY:

I currently work in healthcare as a nurse and I coached volleyball at East Bay for 2 years. Heavily involved in EB athletics. 

FUN FACT:

I am a big reader, and I enjoy watching Formula One racing.

Robert Mendenhall Read More about Robert Mendenhall

Robert Mendenhall

BS '92, Physics

Term: 2023-25

INDUSTRY:

Precision optics and material science/physics entrepreneurship, business development, industrial sales, and start-up/fundraising/VC/Private Equity. 

FUN FACT: 

My spouse and I met at the first dorm to open on campus, in January 1988. 

Unmesh Suryawanshi Read More about Unmesh Suryawanshi

Unmesh Suryawanshi

MA '17 Network & Security

Term: 2025-27

INDUSTRY:

Technology Lead; Enterprise Streaming and Security

FUN FACT:

I’m passionate about photography and videography—creative outlets that have beautifully intertwined with my professional career. I’m so into my passion that I drove over 500 miles just to capture the perfect landscape shot, proving that when it comes to storytelling, I’m willing to go the extra mile. Whether behind the camera or the computer, I’m driven by a desire to connect people and share powerful stories.

Veronica Collins Read More about Veronica Collins

Veronica Collins

BA '19, Health Sciences

Terms: 2022-24; 2024-2026

INDUSTRY:

Health Research

FUN FACT:

I'm an Air Force veteran While at Cal State East Bay I was a first-generation nontraditional student and worked as a surgical technician while earning my degree. I then got my MSL from the University of California, Law San Francisco (2020), and am now working towards my Ph.D at the University of Michigan.