When more than 2,200 graduates of the Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics celebrate commencement on May 22, they will hear from two of their peers who have overcome challenges to achieve their dreams and advocate for their fellow Business Titans in the process.

Britney Vargas, who will inspire grads at the morning ceremony, and Kayla Long, who will address the evening event, are both young ladies who represent the ingenuity, steadfast commitment and groundbreaking achievement that represents the largest business college on the West Coast.

Get a sneak preview of these commencement speakers!

Britney Vargas: Overcoming Adversity to Reach Higher

When Britney Vargas was in grade school, her teachers told her mother that Britney would never graduate high school.

Diagnosed with dyslexia and a speech impediment at a young age, Britney struggled to speak until she was five years old and had particular challenges with math.

But thanks to her mother’s determination to see her daughter graduate high school, Britney Vargas not only completed a secondary education, but went on to earn an associate’s degree, graduate from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in legal studies in 2018, and earn her MBA from Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics.

“I am incredibly thankful for the Disability Student Services program at Cal State Fullerton. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They truly care for their students and will do anything to help them succeed in their classes,” says Vargas.

“DSS provided me with tools and extra time on exams. Whenever I had questions, they were always available to provide assistance. And they consistently advocated for my rights to receive accommodations.”

Vargas is passionate about helping her fellow Titans who face disabilities or similar challenges reach their full potential.

“Take a deep breath and look for resources that can help you with your courses,” she says. “Don’t let your learning disabilities stop you from pursuing your dreams. You can accomplishment anything if you don’t let anyone, including yourself, hold you back. When pursuing an education, don’t compare yourself with others. Take your time and enjoy the process, and don’t let failure discourage you. Life milestones are a marathon, not a sprint.”

Kayla Long: Strengthening Women Titans

At Cal State Fullerton, women students seeking to strengthen their physical wellbeing in a judgment-free setting can engage in free strength training in a supportive community through Girl Gains, a female weightlifting organization.

This club exists due to the commitment of marketing senior Kayla Long, who is our evening commencement speaker.

“If you want to crush your fitness goals in a supportive and fun environment, you should definitely join Girl Gains,” says Long. “We provide exploration in different fitness classes, we bring in certified trainers and nutritionists, we host socials and collabs with other clubs on campus and much more!”

If you’d like to get involved in Girl Gains, follow Long’s club on Instagram @girlgainscsuf.

Looking back on her Titan experience, Long points to Business Career Services, where she has worked for more than a year, as the greatest aspect of her student days.

“They have helped me by allowing me to work on multiple projects that leave an impact on our campus and helped me gain experience,” she says.

As a first-generation transfer student, Long found encouragement and comfort from Darcy Anderson, the senior program coordinator for the Center for Scholars.

“Darcy advised me during every hardship and cheered every win,” Long recalls. “She helped me so much during my first year transitioning into college.”

Long also recognizes the steadfast commitment of her family as being essential to achieving her milestone.

“My family are the most hardworking and genuine people I know. They have shown me what true kindness is and have supported me through every stage of my life,” she says. “From my grandparents immigrating from the Philippines and serving in the U.S. military, to my parents fighting tooth and nail to provide for my three sisters and me, everything I do is to honor them and make them proud.”

To her fellow Titans, Long encourages them to pursue courage and kindness.

“Do what terrifies you. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Never settle and always strive to be better than you were. And always show kindness to others, be genuine and be unapologetically you.”

For More on Commencement

Each year, commencement is the culmination of the college’s efforts to provide a world-class business education at an affordable price to the diverse communities of Southern California and beyond.

We hope every student, parent, sibling and friend who attends has the best experience possible in celebrating this milestone.

For more on commencement at the College of Business and Economics, reach out to [email protected].

And for a look back at recent commencement speakers, read our articles on student commencement speakers.