January 10, 2026
Program:  AAUW Tech Trek Panel

This presentation will include a panel of former campers, who will share what life at Tech Trek really like and how the experience has influenced their interest in STEM. In honor of education and opportunity, everyone is invited  to come dressed in their favorite college t-shirt or school colors.

Seventh grade girls attending Tech Trek spend a full week on a college campus, taking part in dynamic, hands-on STEM projects and enjoying an early introduction to college life. Our branch can take pride in having sent more than 100 students to camp since 1998—a tradition made possible only through the ongoing generosity of AAUW Long Beach members.

This meeting is also our annual Tech Trek fundraiser. Our goal is to raise enough to sponsor 12 campers at UC Santa Barbara or Whittier College this summer. The cost per camper is $1,200. Contributions are welcome with checks payable to AAUW – CA SPF, and write Tech Trek Long Beach on the memo line. Donations made to the SPF fund are tax-deductible. Checks
should be mailed to Tech Trek Treasurer Pat Ferrer (her mailing address is listed in the Yearbook).

November 1, 2025
Program Panel Discussion: Supporting Women Veterans’ Transition to Civilian Life

This meeting presented a panel discussion focused on the unique experiences of women veterans as they transition to civilian and academic life. Featuring women veterans and service providers, the conversation explored challenges, support systems, and opportunities for advocacy.

October 4, 2025
Program: Take Action to Fight Project 2025: A Call to Defend AAUW Values”  (Program Slide Presentation HERE)

Members learned from presenters AAUW CA Public Policy Chairs Amy Hon and Missy Maceyko, about “Take Action to Fight Project 2025,” a statewide initiative from AAUW California Public Policy that mobilizes resistance to policies threatening equity in education, civil rights, and democratic norms. This presentation highlighted how members could take meaningful action at the local or national level through advocacy, coalition-building, and legal engagement—directly aligning with AAUW’s mission to advance gender equity through education and public policy.

September 6, 2025
Branch Meeting Slide Show HERE
Program:  “Today’s Undergrads and CSULB/LBCC Scholarship Recipients”  (Program Slide Show “Today’s Undergrads” HERE)

This program explored a topic that touches the heart of our mission: Today’s college undergraduates — the students who shape the future of our communities, workforce, and civic life. We will also welcome CSULB and LBCC scholarship recipients.

We’re used to picturing the traditional college student as 18–22 years old, living on campus, and attending full-time. But at institutions like Long Beach City College (LBCC), California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and across the country, that image no longer fits the majority. In fact, more than 60% of LBCC students attend part-time, and a large portion are over the age of 25. Nationally, undergraduates are more likely than ever to be first-generation college students, financially independent, and juggling work or caregiving responsibilities. 

This year’s incoming class — the Class of 2029 — is also the most ethnically diverse in American history. At LBCC, nearly 60% of students identify as Latinx, and African American/Black and Asian American students also make up significant portions of the student body. At CSULB, more than 70% of students identify as students of color, reflecting the diversity of the region and the shifting demographics of higher education. Nationally, fewer undergrads than ever identify as White and middle-class. Locally and nationally, most college students are female. 

Many undergrads today face high levels of financial stress, mental health concerns, and uncertainty about the return on their college investment. We’ll dive into: 

• What college looks like today — demographically, financially, and culturally 
• What makes Gen Z students unique in how they learn, communicate, and organize
• Impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their studies and the job market
•  How institutions like CSULB and LBCC are adapting to better serve these evolving needs

As AAUW members committed to education equity and women’s advancement, understanding this transformation is essential. This discussion promises insight into the challenges and resilience of today’s students.