If you’ve had the opportunity to take part in the Student Leadership Program, if you’ve been a member of a club or organization, or if you are a proud participant in Greek life, then chances are you’ve met Alyssa Aragon and Tiffany Darling Gelbaum. As California State University’s Student Organization & Activities Coordinator and the Leadership Coordinator & Greek Advisor, respectively, these two are responsible for advising the many groups available at CSU, Stanislaus and are almost inseparable.
“Our husbands get jealous,” Gelbaum said. “We’re work spouses,” adds Aragon.
They started working together in July of 2007 and as Alissa puts it, “I didn’t like her. She was mean to me.”
It would be hard to tell from seeing them now, though, as they share most of their responsibilities and can tell us everything about one another in great detail.
Their jobs require them to advise the many organizations on campus. With over 60 clubs and organizations and 15 fraternities and sororities on campus, these two live a very busy life.
“The hardest part is not having time to attend all students’ events,” Aragon said. “The best part is when we get asked to participate in formals, judging contests, or even just buying food.”
In their position they see many faces and most of those people gain a valuable relationship in the process. You can’t spend more than five minutes with them without another student stopping to say hello.
“We have students talking to us about more than academics.,” Gelbaum said. “It builds a very good bond and we become like confidants.”
Glebaum is also in charge of the Student Leadership Program, but perhaps Aragon describes it for her best.
“It’s a program that helps you develop your leadership skills in depth through workshops, team builders, and even rafting,” Aragon said. “It immerses students in an environment that allows them to become leaders in a different sort of way.”
They do more than just work together. Alissa and Tiffany work out together, eating lunch together, even collaborate with one another on Halloween costumes.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else with anyone else,” Aragon said.  “It’s the truth,” adds Gelbaum.
Those who want to get involved with either of these two dedicated and fun-loving people can do so in the Student Leadership and Development office found in the University Student Union.