Kalayah Frazier
Calendar Editor
Katy Tangenberg, dean of the College of Health and Community Well-Being, shared her passion for her work as speaker in the monthly “What Matters to Me and Why” series Wednesday in the Ludwick Center Sacred Space.
About 20 University community members attended.
Tangenberg talked about working as a social worker before going into academia. She also talked about her experience since joining the University in 2025 and about growing up in Houston.
Tangenberg said that she was a good student growing up in Houston, and she had to grow up fast because both of her parents worked.
“Growing up in Houston and not really having that much time with my mom and dad allowed me to discover myself more as an independent person,” Tangenberg said.
She added that she knew at a young age that she wanted to help others.
“One of the things that matters to me is just being independent … and feeling completely comfortable adventuring on my own,” Tangenberg said
Simone Warren, sophomore criminology major who attended the lecture, said she enjoyed Tangenberg’s personal anecdotes.
“People … have different reasons (for) why stuff matters to them, so it’s always nice figuring out what matters to different people,” Warren said.
Tangenberg talked about her previous experience working at a university she felt was homophobic, how she didn’t want to work in such an environment.
When she got to La Verne, the community felt more respectful, open and willing to accept people no matter what.
Daniel Loera, director of multicultural affairs, said he really enjoyed the lecture and getting to know a little bit more about Tangenberg.
“A lot of our work has been in a professional setting with dean Katy, and I think this offers a glimpse of her and who she is personally,” Loera said.
Emmeline de Pillis, dean of the College of Business, said she liked this talk as well.
The event concluded with audience Q&A followed by chips and salsa on the patio.
The next “What Matters” talk will feature Malissa Hernandez, executive assistant to the provost, at noon Oct. 28 in the Ludwick Center Sacred Space.
Kalayah Frazier can be reached at kalayah.frazier@laverne.edu.
Kalayah Frazier is a junior journalism major with a concentration in print-online journalism. She is calendar editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times. She has previously served as a staff writer.
