Sandra Abigail Adams

Abuse & Mental Health Advocate

Professional Portfolio

Work in City Government

As a Legislative Fellow with the Long Beach Public Service Corps (LBPSC), Adams served one of the city’s nine council districts, organizing a policy roundtable that brought together experts to discuss key issues such as housing, homelessness, public safety, and policies related to inclusion and inequality.

After her fellowship, Adams continued with LBPSC as Alumni Chair, working with the City’s Economic Development Department’s Workforce Development Bureau. In this role, she helped plan programs and policies for the second cohort, including organizing workshops and leading the planning and execution of a retreat. Adams also chaired the Venue and Logistics Committee.

Advocacy Work

As a Lobby Corps Representative for ASI Student Government at California State University, Long Beach, Adams engaged with legislators in Long Beach and Sacramento to discuss state legislation, advocating for issues impacting both the CSULB campus and the broader CSU system.

  • AB 789 – Cal Grants: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP):
    This bill addresses issues by requiring all post-secondary institutions in California that participate in state-authorized student financial aid programs to adhere to a common set of standards within the already established federal regulations.
    • Role: I lobbied with CSULB Delegation for support from local legislators.
    • Outcome: This bill was passed and signed into law.
  • AB 35 & SB 220 – Student Debt Relief: Grants and/or scholarships are not excluded from the income qualifications of CalWORKS and CalFresh which results in either receiving less in benefits or denial of all benefits.
    • Role: I lobbied with CSULB Delegation for support from local legislators.
    • Outcome: This bill is still moving through the California State Government.
  • AB 1160 – Student Loan Debts:
    Current law requires all higher educational institutions to withhold institutional services, including the provision of the diploma, when students are in default of their loans.
    • Role: I lobbied with CSULB Delegation for support from local legislators.
    • Outcome: California Senate became the first in the nation to pass.  
  • AB 295 – Free College for California Students: Adams was the sole student government representative advocating for a bill to create a working group comprising representatives from the California Department of Education, the Board of Governors of California Community Colleges, the Trustees of California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and higher education faculty, staff, and students. This group would develop a pilot program to provide free postsecondary education in California by replacing tuition and fees with a state-funded system.
    • Role: I lobbied with CSULB Delegation for support from local legislators.
    • Outcome: Currently stalled in the Appropriations  Committee

Advocacy for Graduation Ceremonies – Class of 2023
As a member of the ASI Student Government at California State University, Long Beach, I played an active role in advocating for the graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2023. Despite the university’s decision to host a non-traditional ceremony, which led to dissatisfaction among many students, I worked alongside fellow student leaders to amplify concerns and push for more equitable and meaningful recognition of graduates.

Through social media (including my TikTok video, which garnered over 20.6K views), I brought attention to the issue, reflecting the frustration and disappointment felt by students. The visibility and public outcry contributed to the Class of 2024 being granted a traditional graduation ceremony, allowing them to walk and celebrate their accomplishments with a sense of dignity and closure.

This experience highlighted the power of student advocacy and demonstrated my commitment to ensuring students’ voices were heard, even in challenging situations.

Opposition to Annual 6% Tuition Increase for CSU Campuses
As a member of ASI Student Government at California State University, Long Beach, I took a strong stand against the annual 6% tuition increase that was being proposed for all CSU campuses. This policy would have placed a heavier financial burden on students, particularly those from low-income and marginalized communities.

In response, I engaged directly with the CSU Board of Trustees, participating in meetings and speaking with board members to advocate against the tuition hikes. I collaborated with other student leaders across the CSU system, organizing initiatives to mobilize students and raise awareness about the negative impact of these increases on student success and financial stability.

Additionally, I used social media platforms to amplify student voices, advocating for more transparency in tuition-setting decisions and pushing for more affordable solutions to maintain accessibility to higher education for all. Although the tuition increase was ultimately passed, the efforts made during this campaign helped raise awareness and set the stage for ongoing discussions about tuition affordability and the financial sustainability of the CSU system.

This experience solidified my commitment to advocating for students and highlighted the importance of standing up for education equity and financial accessibility.

Inclusion on CSULB Campus

  • Fly the Pride Flag: During the Fall 2022 Student Government Retreat, Adams discussed with the Associate Vice President how in the month of October, the Pride Flag should be flown in front of the USU as a way of showing support and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community on campus.

Sandra