“Once a Toro, always a Toro!”
There are few people who those words hold truer for than David Andres Gamboa, California State University, Dominguez Hills’ (CSUDH) new assistant vice president for external relations in the Division of University Advancement (UA).
“I was honored and felt very proud when I learned I was moving to this position,” said Gamboa. “As a Toro, it is wonderful to know I will play a larger role in growing a university I’ve always felt very committed and connected to.”
Gamboa (2005, B.A., Communications), who was appointed to his new position in July 2015, began working at CSUDH in 2007 as director of government and community relations, where he was responsible for civic, community and state relations by serving as liaison between CSUDH and leaders in public and private sectors.
After the retirement of Director of Alumni Relations Gayle Ball-Parker in 2014, Gamboa was asked to step in and serve as acting alumni director, while retaining his duties as director of government and community relations.
“During David’s tenure as acting alumni director, Cal State Dominguez Hills has had one of the most robust and successful alumni programs in the history of the university,” said UA Vice President Carrie Stewart.
Gamboa’s new position is still a marriage of his two former positions, since he has retained oversight of both alumni and government and community relations. In his new role as assistant vice president, he and his team are identifying and developing ways for CSUDH to better connect with its large alumni base by engaging and helping them “embrace their Toro spirit.”
“We are currently working on a strategic plan in our division to improve our alumni’s presence on campus and within the communities in which they work, live and serve,” he said.
Gamboa service to CSUDH began with its students, when he was one himself. He was elected president of Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) for the 2003-04 academic year, and was a representative of the California State Student Association (CSSA).
Gamboa originally wanted to be a broadcaster, but after receiving his degree in communications in 2005 he decided to utilize all the training he had received in ASI, the CSSA, and as a city management intern for the City of Montebello to pursue a new career path that was a better fit.
He quickly landed the position of field representative for former Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-37th District) in 2005. In that role, he met with her constituents to keep them informed about the decisions she was making in Washington, and to let the congresswoman know how they felt about her leadership.
Gamboa returned to CSUDH after Millender-McDonald’s death in 2007 and began his career in University Advancement.
“This is where I belong. I’m proud to be a Toro. I really enjoy my new position and I am very happy to be continuing my work with our alumni,” he said. “We want them to know the advantages, the connections and the pride that comes with reconnecting to our students and the entire campus community. We want them to know our doors will always swing wide open for them.”
