Alumni Spotlight: Yoho Family

The Yoho family are multi-generational CSULB alumni, consisting of Steve Yoho, his wife Nancy, and their two kids Dan and Alison. Steve graduated from the College of Business with a degree in finance in 1982, while Nancy graduated in 1981 from the College of Liberal Arts with a degree in Geography. Dan and Alison followed their mother into the geography field, graduating in ‘08 and ‘13, respectively. Alison also earned an M.S. in Geography in 2016. Multiple generations of CSULB graduates inspired them to establish the Yoho Family Student Award, which awards financial aid to deserving Geography majors in their junior or senior year.

After graduating from CSULB, Steve Yoho had a successful career working at Northrup Grumman.  He has remained active within the CSULB community during his career and into retirement. One of his most meaningful commitments is his service as a mentor for the Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD).

Regarding his volunteer activity, Steve says, “a lot of students I mentor are very appreciative of alumni help and they ask me how they can repay me, and I tell them I don’t expect them to repay me, but to keep paying it forward.” Steve and Nancy both believe in helping students in their educational journey, as Nancy believes, “education is the key to success.” Steve and Nancy recently endowed a College of Business scholarship that will be open for applications next semester.

Before retiring, Nancy also had a successful career at Thomas Bros. Maps. Steve praised his wife saying, “at the time, she was one of five people at Thomas Bros. who researched computer mapping.  This work led to her ultimate role as Vice President of Global Information Systems (GIS).”  She was then recruited to become the Associate Director of the Long Beach City College Foundation, a position she held until retirement.

While working at Thomas Bros. Maps, Nancy began to volunteer for CSULB as a member of the Alumni board.  This work, Nancy said, involved “bringing other alumni back to the college” and speaking at a variety of events to promote the CSULB Alumni Association. Her advice is for “students to become more aware of and participate in the great things going on at CSULB.” For current Geography majors, she believes it is an exciting time for the field as there are “so many more opportunities for geography majors and GIS is used in so many types of businesses.”

Both Dan and Alison grew up viewing maps, and so their interest in Geography was a natural fit.

Dan lives in Virginia and works on GIS projects for the federal government. Despite being on the east coast, Nancy says “he still wears all his CSULB gear.”

Alison started out at CSULB as an engineering major but switched to Geography in her junior year, feeling she was missing out on an interesting field that would ultimately turn into her career. Alison is now employed at Southern California Gas where she utilizes the skills she acquired at CSULB, especially with GIS.

The Yoho family are proud CSULB alumni, and they express that through giving back to the community and to students. They want to spread the message of giving back, paying help and kindness forward. They are big Baseball and Basketball fans, with season passes to CSULB basketball, so do not be surprised to see them at a game, showing their Long Beach pride.