Student leader earns regional pageant title
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Jada O’Connor
Jada O’Connor, a fourth-year accountancy student in the College of Business, has been named Miss Southern California 2026, an honor that reflects her growing commitment to community engagement. Crowned last month in Long Beach, O’Connor serves as treasurer for the Black Business Students Association and participates as a college peer advisor in University Outreach and School Relations, where she helps incoming students navigate their path to higher education. She credits her inspiration to compete to Nancy Luong ‘09, a former Miss Southern California she met through the Student Leadership Institute course at the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership. Directed by Justin Rudd of the Community Action Team, the pageant program expands O’Connor’s opportunities to serve Long Beach, a city she credited with supporting her journey.