Long Beach

Daily Breeze: Long Beach Mayor Richardson to Deliver Keynote Speech at CSUDH Commencement

May 17, 2023 By Lilly McKibbin

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson is set to return to his alma matter, Cal State Dominguez Hills, to deliver the one of the university’s 2023 commencement keynote speeches.

More than 3,000 graduates will receive their diplomas this year at the Dignity Sports Health Park Tennis Stadium in a series of six ceremonies slated for Friday and Saturday, May 19-20.

Richardson will deliver his address during the first set of graduations on Friday morning to the College or Arts and Humanities and the College of Education.

“It is a full circle moment to come home and be able to impart some words of wisdom to this new graduating class,” Richardson said in a Tuesday, May 16, interview. “It’s a place where I shaped my identity, where I understood the meaning of leadership and service and advocacy – and where I got involved with government.”

The mayor originally enrolled for classes at CSUDH as an 18-year-old in 2001. He was elected president of Associated Students, Inc. during his time there. But left the university a few years later, several credits shy of completing his degree, after he accepted a full-time job as a community organizer with a local labor union.

Years later – after rising up the city government ranks and winning a seat on the Long Beach City Council – Richardson returned to CSUDH and finished out his degree, earning a bachelor’s of art in philosophy in 2020.

Richardson represented Long Beach’s Ninth District for two years before getting elected as mayor in November. He also served two terms as vice mayor – a total of four years – under his mayoral predecessor, current U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia.

“My hope is to give them some inspiration and some encouragement as they go forth into the world,” Richardson said. “They’re prepared to go into the world and make an impact. They should feel confident that, like generations before, they’re gonna rise to the occasion and they’re gonna make an impact on the world.”

Additional notable figures set to speak at the university’s other ceremonies include California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Southern California Edison executive Vice President for operations Jill Anderson, and Sheniece Smith, NorthBay Healthcare System’s chief administrative officer and general counsel.

Rex Richardson Strengthens Ties to CSUDH

March 14, 2023 By Lilly McKibbin

Mayor Rex Richardson with CSUDH students, faculty and staff

“Dominguez Hills is an important partner. We are counting on you to contribute your expertise to help us solve our big challenges.”

That was the central message Mayor of Long Beach Rex Richardson conveyed during an official campus visit on March 9. Three months into his first mayoral term, the Toro alumnus is eager to establish partnerships between the city and CSUDH, with the intention of creating more opportunities for Toros to enter public service.

Rex Richardson shaking hands with CSUDH President Parham — _{Mayor Richardson (left) with CSUDH President Parham.}

Richardson began his visit with a meeting with President Thomas A. Parham, then embarked on a campus tour before sitting down with students, faculty, and staff to discuss his goals as mayor and his personal connection with CSUDH.

He opened by remarking upon the campus’ dramatic transformation, noting with a smile that it “looks nothing like it did in 2001,” when he was a first-year student. He went on to describe his family history and how his tenure at CSUDH enabled him to “put down roots” in Southern California. Not only did Richardson meet his future wife in the student government offices, but he also served as president of Associated Students, Inc.–a leadership experience which he says primed him for public service.

“Here’s where I learned about advocacy and representation,” he said. “We wanted to make a meaningful difference.”

Richardson spoke about the urgent need for retaining talented, local professionals in civil service, and mentioned several initiatives he is undertaking to meet that skills gap. His office is working with AmeriCorps to establish a two-year public service fellowship for college graduates, and is also seeking to establish a public service pathways preference for graduates of CSU Long Beach and CSUDH.

“Simply by graduating from those institutions, you are locally trained and you have community contacts–you are prepared for public service,” he said.

Rex Richardson speaking with members of ASI — _{Mayor Richardson speaks with students in the ASI office.}

Richardson made sure to emphasize the need for students from all academic backgrounds, and touted the benefits of his own humanities degree. Originally a business major, he had switched to philosophy due to its engaging classroom debates and discussions.

“Philosophy challenged me,” he said. “I felt philosophy was an incredible program because it prepared me to speak, write, and think critically. If you can develop those competencies, they’ll benefit you throughout your whole life.”

Before wrapping up his visit, Richardson made sure to stop by the ASI office to engage with student leaders, hear about their priorities, and offer pearls of wisdom.

“Stay close,” he advised them. “All the relationships, all the connections you have here–who knows where it goes!”

View all photos from Mayor Richardson’s visit on SmugMug.

NBC4: CSUDH Can Boast about Graduating 5 Current Mayors

December 16, 2022 By Lilly McKibbin

Source: NBCLA (Video)

In LA County there are several big name and world-class universities but there’s only one university that can boast about graduating five sitting LA County mayors.

“This school produces a lot of, you know, greatness,” said Johnathan Kaufman, a Cal State University of Dominguez Hills student.

From Dominguez Hills to city hall only Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson can brag about graduating five siting LA County mayors.

They are Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Hawthorne Mayor Alex Vargas, and LA’s newest Mayor Karen Bass.

“She grew up in our community, she grew up like we did, she went to school where we did and she understands how life here is,” said Natalie Ruiz, a CSUDH student.

Ruiz is studying political science at Dominguez Hills.

Following the 1965 Watts Rebellion, this campus was strategically placed in Carson to bring more educational opportunities to underserved communities in South LA.

Nearly 60 years later, five graduates are now leading nearby cities.

“I think it just speaks to the testament of who she is and how she can only break doors open for more of us,” Ruiz said.

Dr. Thomas Parham is the 11th President of Cal State Dominguez Hills, he says the school has a legacy of teaching students how to serve their communities.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson was once student body president.

“Some might argue it happens by, you know, happenstance, but really it doesn’t,” Parham said. “I think you can’t love the people unless you’re willing to serve the people and what we have are people who come with the mentality of being servant leaders.”

Student Christopher Hendrix says it also makes him proud to know you don’t need to the big name school to make big time moves.

“It makes me feel empowered. You know, it goes back to the idea that I don’t need to go to Harvard or an Ivy League,” Hendrix said. “I can get the same education, the same understanding of what needs to be done in my communities, in my community. I don’t have to go and then come back. I can stay here and help it grow.”