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This year’s Cal State Long Beach Convocation theme, Waves of Change, couldn’t have been more fitting, especially as we embark on one of the most significant transitions our campus has seen in recent memory. At , we are riding what can only be described as a transformational wave of change, one that we have spent years preparing for and one we now have the responsibility to lead through.  

After more than a decade of advocacy, planning and persistence, the renovation and expansion of the University Student Union is officially underway. While this project brings with it a great deal of logistical complexity and short-term disruption, it also represents something far greater. It represents an opportunity to realign our campus environment with the values and needs of our students.

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The Future U project is about more than just a building. It’s about building a future. A future that centers student belonging, accessibility, sustainability and wellness. And it’s about a future that truly reflects the caliber of our students and the excellence of this institution. The values and vision of this project, and of this university, are deeply personal to me.  

As a child with autism, I was often underestimated. I was placed in special education, told I couldn’t succeed and faced assumptions about what I was capable of. But I was fortunate to have parents who believed in me and fought to place me in an environment where I could thrive. Later, as a teenager in the foster care system, again I found myself trying to belong. I was navigating unfamiliar spaces, and I didn’t always feel seen or understood.  

That changed when I came to The Beach. I joined ASI. I found a supportive community and discovered a passion for advocacy and student leadership. I found my voice and now, as ASI president, I’m using it to make sure that all students feel empowered to find theirs.  

This role means a great deal to me — not only as a platform for advocacy, but also as a personal legacy. After losing my father to stage-four liver cancer in December, I made a promise to him: that I would become ASI president. Fulfilling that promise is something I carry with deep pride and gratitude.

This year I’m committed to ensuring that every student is supported and represented, regardless of their background or identity. We are entering a time unlike any we’ve experienced before, and during this period of transformation, I am focused on maintaining an exceptional student experience.  

I will work to expand access to resources and opportunities, advocate for those facing housing insecurity, and champion inclusive spaces for students with disabilities. I want every student to feel seen and valued. Even without the USU, students can still find their home here at Long Beach State.

To our faculty and staff: thank you for being the anchors of this university. Thank you for your scholarship, your mentorship and your unwavering commitment to student success. I look forward to partnering with you this year as we ride these waves of change and build a future that reflects the best of The Beach.

Sonny Ciampa is a third-year student majoring in political science with a desire to pursue a career in politics. This article is an abridged version of his 2025 Convocation speech.

Beach Voices is an occasional feature that allows members of The Beach community — students, faculty, staff and alumni — to share their firsthand experiences. If you would like to be considered, send submissions labeled “Beach Voices” to StratComm@csulb.edu.