For the second year, Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) has selected 30 inspiring young adults, age 30 and younger, who have demonstrated notable accomplishments in the community. Out of the 30 individuals who were chosen, nine are Cal State San Bernardino students or alumni.The chosen young adults will be honored at the 30 Under 30 Award Ceremony & Art Showcase on Saturday, July 28, at Court Street Square in San Bernardino starting at 7:30 p.m.The 30 Under 30 program, which was initially established by former Assemblymember Wilmer “Amina” Carter, a CSUSB alumna and retired CSUSB staff member, recognizes individuals who live, volunteer or work in the 47th Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.“The 30 Under 30 event is a very special event for the 47th Assembly District. This event honors young adults in our district who continue to break down barriers for themselves and others,” Reyes said in a news release. “It is an honor to recognize such service driven young adults who work hard every day to give back to their community, whether it is through the arts, entrepreneurship or community activism. Congratulations to this year’s 30 Under 30.”The nine CSUSB students and alumni to be honored at this year’s 30 Under 30 event are: 

  • Nicholas Akingbemi, ’14, criminal justice

Akingbemi began his career in law enforcement at 21 years old, working for the San Bernardino County Probation Department. Now at 25, he is a police officer for the UCI police department and speaks at colleges and high schools with a focus on mending the relationship between law enforcement and the general public. Akingbemi has served as an advocate, educator and confidant in the Inland Empire. He is now beginning to work on becoming a criminal defense attorney for underrepresented minorities. 

  • John Devine, ’18, master’s in social work  

Devine works as a peer and family assistant for the Independent Living Program, which prepares foster youth for adulthood. Devine has worked with numerous organizations, including National Foster Youth Institute, Foster Club, Foster Youth in Action, and Foster Leaders Movement. 

  • Estefania Esparza, ’18, psychology

Esparza has volunteered with various community organizations throughout the Inland Empire, including Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC), Mi Familia Vota, El Sol Educational Community Center, among others. Throughout her college years, Esparza was involved with immigration work in the community. She assisted people with DACA applications and helped find other resources for undocumented immigrants. 

  • Alazzia Gaoay, ’15, communication studies

Gaoay builds relationships and keeps the community engaged through social media and digital marketing strategies and management for the Fontana Chamber of Commerce. She oversaw a complete rebrand of the logo, newsletter, website and social media, and catapulted the chamber’s following by over 600 percent in the past year. Gaoay is also a photographer and artist, which she also applies to her work at the Chamber of Commerce. 

  • Jonathan Gonzalez-Montelongo, ’15, political science

Gonzalez-Montelongo serves as the campus tour and events coordinator at CSUSB. He also serves on the Black and Brown Committee where he implements programs for black and brown young males in the Inland Empire. 

  • Janneth Milian, current student, liberal studies

Milian is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in gender and sexuality studies. She was recently appointed as the student voting representative for the College of Education where she partners with the dean of the college to focus on issues of food insecurity, scholarship funding and study space availability. 

  • Polet Milian, ’13, public administration: management

Milian is committed to supporting CSUSB students to achieve their career goals through professional advisement and college success initiatives. Milian chaired CSUSB’s 2018 Women’s Leadership conference and led 50/50 day, a global awareness campaign to ensure a just and gender equitable society. Due to her curriculum for 50/50 day, CSUSB was selected as one of 25 programs that were highlighted globally. She also serves on the African American Student Recruitment and Retention Task Force at CSUSB, established to recommend strategies to strengthen African-American enrollment, student success and graduation rates. 

  • Destiny Muse, current student, psychology

Muse has been producing events for three years and recently launched an event company called “The Muse,” which focuses on building individuals through artistic, entrepreneurial and interpersonal growth. She has added a fresh environment of creative expression in downtown Rialto, where she grew up. Her art showcase, Lunch Break, was featured in the local newspaper, and since its launch in April, Muse has received two awards honoring her leadership abilities and contributions to others. 

  • Jonathan Williams, ’16, psychology, minor in theatre arts

Williams works as a certified integrative wellness and life coach, substitute teacher, and a mental health practitioner. He is also a recording artist, trained actor and lyricist. With his education from CSUSB, he artistically heals and advocates in the name of mental health and social justice. Williams hopes to become a licensed drama therapist to connect and heal the lives of others, especially other artists. For more information about the 30 Under 30 Award Ceremony & Art Showcase and to RSVP to the event, visit its Eventbrite webpage. For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit the university’s news site at inside.csusb.edu.