ASU experts visit Sacramento, host event featuring alumni in politics

Arizona State University Executive Vice President and University Provost Nancy Gonzales hosted students, alumni and friends at the California State Library in Sacramento late last month.


Orr, a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, discussed the ways in which her undergraduate degree opened professional pathways that may have otherwise been unattainable.

“ASU and my experience there helped me get my foot in the door. The Cronkite School has just continued to grow,” Orr said.

As the discussion came to a close, Gonzales complimented the alumni: “You’re both such accomplished, talented women. It gives us such pride to see the success that you’ve had and to know that ASU played a role in that.”

The event was part of a two-day visit by senior ASU leaders, including Gonzales, Senior Vice President for University Affairs Jim O’Brien and Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Dean Carole Basile. They talked with elected officials, legislative staff and advocates about key ASU initiatives, including the Next Education Workforce program through the education college.

With more than 20,000 Californians enrolled at ASU, the relationship between America’s most innovative university and its most populous state continues to grow year over year.

With its new home at the ASU California Center, located at the historic Herald Examiner building in Los Angeles, ASU plays a vibrant role in the California community. ASU’s vision for meeting the needs of California’s students and families has been covered by the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly and others.