OUR TEAM
Makenzy Bowen
Makenzy Bowen is a third-year English education student with a minor in public relations, graduating in May from California State University, Long Beach. During her time in higher education, she is currently serving as Team lead and Director of Editing for the 2026 Bateman team. Her aspirations center on working with the beauty of the written word, whether as a public relations specialist in the sports field or as a literary publisher. In her free time, she is rarely found without a book; if not reading, she is likely at a baseball field or out on a walk with her closest friends.
Valerie Perez
Valerie Perez is a fourth-year public relations student at California State University, Long Beach. Perez currently serves as the Vice President for the PRSSA chapter and has been involved with the chapter over past semesters as the Director of Membership and Presidential Ambassador. She currently works as a PR & communications intern at MemorialCare, is the Director of Creative and Outreach Assistant for the 2026 Bateman team, and is eager and ready to apply her skills to any industry. Her aspirations for the future are to work at a major PR firm that deals with industries such as beauty, entertainment or crisis. In her free time she loves reading, playing with makeup, exploring libraries, thrifting and traveling.
Jakki Padilla is a fourth-year public relations student at California State University, Long Beach. Her work in higher education involves being the Communications Assistant of the Associated Students Inc., Director of Communications at PRSSA Long Beach and now, Director of Research & Writing for the 2026 Bateman team. Her aspirations include becoming a strong storyteller as a public relations specialist in the beauty, automotive or fashion industries, but is enthusiastic to learn any industry. A fun fact about Padilla is the first country she visited outside the North American continent was Ireland.
Jakki Padilla
Isabela Zuniga
Isabela Zuniga is a fourth-year public relations student at California State University, Long Beach. Her previous PR background involves being an Account Strategist for Azul, the student-run public relations agency, and working as a Social Media Intern for the Department of Journalism & Public Relations. Currently, she is a Marketing Assistant of the Associated Students Inc., and the Director of Outreach and Research Assistant for the 2026 Bateman team. She aspires to become a communications manager in the sports or entertainment field. In her free time, she loves watching sports, spending time with friends and trying new foods.