California State University, Long Beach
The Long Beach Vote 2016 Class Project at CSULB
The PalacioMagazine.com joined forces earlier this year with the Political Science class of Professor Som Chounlamountry at California State University, Long Beach to launch the Long Beach Vote 2016 class project Long Beach Vote 2016.
One of the goals of Long Beach Vote 2016 class project was to explore the reasons eligible Long Beach voters do or do not vote on Long Beach Election Day. But we had even loftier goals through June 7 Long Beach Election Day and into November 2016. We wanted to:
- Increase voter knowledge of candidates and issues in the 2016 election cycle.
- Increase voter registration
- Increase voter engagement in participation in local elections in advance of State and Federal elections in June and November.
Nine students from Professor Som Chounlamountry’s classes joined the Long Beach Vote 2016 class project this semester. They surveyed Long Beach residents online and at three events in Long Beach (Leadership Long Beach Candidate Forum, Beach Streets and First Fridays in Bixby Knolls).
Long Beach Vote 2016 Class Project Participants
Som Chounlamountry
Hillary Black
Kelvin Le
Professor Som Chounlamountry (Try to pronounce it like “chewn-la-moon-tree.”) Adjunct Assistant Professor, Los Angeles Community College District; Instructor, California State University Long Beach. “I was born in Laos (bust out a world map now). As a result of the aftermath of the Vietnam War, my family came to the US in 1981 with less than $20. I grew up in Southern California cheering for the Angels and Clippers. I became fascinated with Political Science at UCLA and have been hooked ever since. I completed my Master’s Degree at USC.”
During the four month long project, the students helped develop the surveys behind the Long Beach Vote 2016 Class Project and analyzing the results. They attended three events where they interacted with Long Beach voters and sought their opinions on the survey questions.
Hillary Black recently graduated from CSULB, majoring in Political Science with a concentration on Global Studies and an emphasis in Middle Eastern Politics. Hillary managed the final phase of the Long Beach Vote 2016 Class Project, organizing the student analysis and the graphics. Hillary’s passion is international affairs, hoping to improve US foreign relations and influence with the world. She will be interning with the US State Department in the fall and cannot wait to see first hand how diplomacy can shape foreign policy. In her free time Hillary enjoys practicing Yoga, going to Disneyland and watching cooking shows.
Kelvin Le recently graduated from CSULB with a Bachelor of the Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Law, Politics, and Policy and a minor in Criminal Justice. “I hope to pursue a law degree in the near future and practice intellectual property law. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball recreationally and every summer I volunteer at my local city recreational center to coach youth basketball.”
Serawit Embaye-Yenie
Ryan Webster
Samantha Leong
Another Long Beach Vote 2016 Class Project participant was Serawit Embaye-Yenie. She is an international student from Sweden and a junior in the Political Science program with Global Politics as her concentration at California State University, Long Beach. After graduation, Serawit plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Global Affairs or International Relations. Her goal is to work in an international organization with national security and intelligence.
Ryan Webster was born in Long Beach and grew up in Cypress. “After finishing high school, I immediately entered the job field and began a career at UPS. Five years ago, I decided to enroll at a community college, so I could develop my skills and open up new job opportunities. After taking an Introduction to United States Government class at Cypress College, I developed an interest in the political process and wanted to make a difference in the community, so I decided to major in Political Science. In 2014, I transferred to Cal State Long Beach, focusing on Law and Public Policy. I will be graduating in the fall of this year. In my spare time, I enjoy playing guitar and hiking.”
Samantha Leong is a fourth year political science major and forensic studies minor at California State University of Long Beach. “My career goal is to become a lawyer and work for the District Attorney’s Office. I have a passion for law and politics and volunteering for VOTE 2016 supplemented to my overall goal.”
F. Michael Millan
Jacquelin Carbajal
Sabrina Marquez
Michael Millan is 26 years old and studying Political Science at Cal State Long Beach. He was born and raised in Southern California and is a big sports fan. “I love the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Bulls, and the Los Angeles Rams. My parents are from Colombia, South America and came to the United States in 1978. I am the youngest in my family with 3 older siblings. I attended Costa Mesa High School and graduated with the class of 2007. I attended community college at Santiago Canyon College in the city of Orange. I originally began taking courses to complete a computer science degree but then I took a Political Science course that really caught my interest. I knew that studying Political Science was something that had always caught my attention. After completing all my required classes at Santiago, I began to apply to transfer to a University. I got accepted to Cal State Fullerton, San Francisco State, and Cal State Long Beach. Cal State Long Beach was my first choice and I took the offer as soon as I got notified that I had been accepted. I currently work in banking but only part-time now that I am a full-time student. With the Spring semester of 2016 being my first semester at Long Beach, I want to take the opportunity to get involved with anything that is being offered so that I can make the most of my time as a student at Long Beach. I am looking to the next few semesters and what I will be able to experience.”
Jacquelin Carbajal is a native of Long Beach and is the first generation college student in her family. She is currently in her third year at CSULB and will be graduating in the Spring of 2017. She is pursuing a political science major with a minor in sociology and a legal studies certificate. Jacquelin is an aspiring immigration attorney who one day hopes to make a positive impact in society. Aside from academics she also has a passion for photography and writing.
Sabrina Marquez is currently a second year at Cal State Long Beach majoring in Political Science. “After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I hope to go to law school and become a prosecutor.”
A Special Notice
Our last Long Beach Vote 2016 Class Project member is Erendira Moctezuma. Unfortunately, we have no bio information or photograph available.
