APPLY
VISIT
GIVE
Program
PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND NATIONAL ANTHEM
Dr. Michael E. Spagna
Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
CSU Dominguez Hills ROTC Color Guard
Alyannah Ramirez
National Anthem Singer
WELCOME AND PLATFORM PARTY INTRODUCTION
Dr. Thomas A. Parham
President
INTRODUCTION OF STUDENT SPEAKER
Dr. Sheela Pawar
Chair, Academic Senate
STUDENT SPEAKER
Citlali Gudino Rivas
BS, Health Science
INTRODUCTION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Michael E. Spagna
Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Ms. Karla Pleitéz Howell
President & CEO, First 5 LA
ALUMNI PINNING
Dr. William Franklin
Vice President, Student Affairs
RECOGNITION OF HONORS RECIPIENTS
Dr. Michael E. Spagna
Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
PRESENTATION OF CLASS FOR CONFERRAL
Dr. Michael E. Spagna
Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES AND PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
Dr. Thomas A. Parham
President
TASSEL TURN AND CONGRATULATIONS
Dr. Thomas A. Parham
President
CONGRATULATIONS
Mr. Edgar Mejia-Alezano
President, Associated Students, Inc.
Platform Party
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Jonathan Molina Mancio
CSU Trustee
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Ms. Karla Pleitéz Howell
President & CEO, First 5 LA
STUDENT SPEAKER
Citlali Gudino Rivas
BS, Health Science
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, DOMINGUEZ HILLS
- Dr. Thomas A. Parham
President - Dr. Michael E. Spagna
Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs - Dr. William Franklin
Vice President, Student Affairs - Ms. Deborah Wallace
Vice President, Administration and Finance - Dr. Bobbie Porter
Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice - Mr. Chris Manriquez
Vice President, Information Technology - Ms. Eva Sevcikova
Vice President, University Advancement - Dr. Sheela Pawar
Chair, Academic Senate - Mr. Ken O’Donnell
Vice Provost, Academic Affairs - Mr. Edgar Mejia-Alezano
President, Associated Students, Inc. - Dr. Timothy Caron
Dean, College of Arts and Humanities - Dr. Timothy Chin
Interim Associate Dean, College of Arts and Humanities - Dr. Joseph Wen
Dean, College of Business Administration and Public Policy - Dr. Tayyeb Shabbir
Associate Dean, College of Business Administration and Public Policy - Dr. Kim McNutt
Dean, College of Continuing and Professional Education - Dr. Lynda Wilson
Associate Dean, College of Continuing and Professional Education - Dr. Jessica Pandya
Dean, College of Education - Dr. Corinne Martinez
Associate Dean, College of Education - Dr. Mi-Sook Kim
Dean, College of Health, Human Services and Nursing - Dr. Enrique Ortega
Associate Dean, College of Health, Human Services and Nursing - Dr. Philip LaPolt
Dean, College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences - Dr. Leonardo Martinez
Associate Dean, College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences - Dr. Sheree Schrager
Dean, Graduate Studies and Research
Commencement Speaker
Karla Pleitéz Howell
President & CEO, First 5 LA
Karla Pleitéz Howell serves as First 5 LA’s president and CEO, guiding implementation of its overall strategy and vision: building a future where every child is born healthy and thrives in nurturing, safe and loving communities.
Since joining the organization in 2023, Howell has led First 5 LA to adopt its new 2024-2029 strategic plan that marks a significant milestone for the organization’s path toward creating the greatest possible impact for LA County’s youngest children and their families. The plan focuses on goals to collectively build toward ensuring that children’s and families’ basic, psychological, and self-fulfillment needs are prioritized.
Howell began her career as an attorney providing legal services for families, which included leading a coalition in the southeast cities of Los Angeles County to increase green space and educational opportunities for young children. She transitioned to work on policy advocacy, joining Advancement Project California (now Catalyst California), where she served as director of education, managing director, and chief of policy and programs. There, Howell worked to bring coalitions together to increase child care funding, improve quality in Transitional Kindergarten programs, and expand access to child care for California’s youngest learners. In partnership with community leaders, Karla’s advocacy has helped direct billions of dollars in investments to underserved communities.
Prior to joining First 5 LA, Howell served as branch chief for the Child Care Development Division with the California Department of Social Services. In that role, she led efforts to develop the division’s strategic plan and improve administrative efficiencies. Howell also oversaw the strategic direction and development of the $350 million Infrastructure Grant Program and the state’s child care rate reform initiative.
Howell earned her Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and holds a Juris Doctor from UC Hastings. On weekends, she enjoys the outdoors with her husband and family and loves to listen to the latest humorous philosophical ponderings from their two children.
