As CSU Stanislaus bids a farewell to outgoing Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) President Destiny Suarez, the campus welcomes the former Vice President, Adrian Sanchez, as ASI’s new leader.
ASI is a student-run organization whose mission is to advocate for the interests and needs of students. This includes providing programs and services that enrich student life and instill a sense of spirit and pride in Stan State.
Destiny Suarez (Political Science, Senior), now the District Representative for California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, was the ASI President for a year and a half.
“At the end of it, I can say I’m very grateful for the experience,” Suarez said, “And I think that was shown during our last board meeting when I was sobbing and crying because it changed my life and got me in the position I am now.”
Suarez reflected on the personal growth and character development that she experienced while being involved with ASI. She shared that in high school, she did not talk to other peers and lacked confidence, but going to college and joining ASI put her in a positive direction.
“[ASI] was kind of like my lifeline to staying connected to society while COVID was going on,” Suarez said. “And going from there it just built a whole different character that I didn’t think I’d have before.”
Suarez said that her proudest moment during her time as ASI president was speaking at Stanislaus’ 2023 Commencement Ceremony for the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Science on May 25. As she stood on stage and saw the faculty administration, students and their families, she said she realized that she was a part of their journeys.
To students who are considering joining student government, Suarez encouraged them to take the leap and not let imposter syndrome get in the way.
“Always take that step forward,” she said, “Even if you run into any hurdles or barriers, there’s still progress in that step.”
Former ASI Vice President, Adrian Sanchez (Biology, Senior), said that he felt a change after transitioning to ASI President, as the words he spoke held more weight.
“As ASI president, my role and responsibilities are to effectively advocate for all students,” Sanchez said, “And to make sure that the administration, faculty and staff are able to receive student opinion in a way that’s formal and respectful.”
Sanchez shared that the goals of the organization under his leadership align with the goals that ASI has been working on for the past year, including improving parking prices and transportation and making food services more equitable and accessible for students.
Sanchez added that ASI’s main challenge is raising awareness about the recent tuition increase and the financial aid resources available to students.
Among the resources and services provided through ASI, Sanchez spotlighted the Turlock Transit Program, which provides Warriors with free transportation within Turlock through their student ID, and the ASI Giving Back Scholarship awarded to students who excel academically and are involved in their community.
Sanchez recommended that students get involved in their community first by getting to know fellow students.
“Just saying hi to someone every day could change your life. They could offer you new opportunities and you never know what lies behind every door,” Sanchez said.
President Sanchez spotlighted the Presidential Search in-person/virtual public forum that will take place on November 1 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University Event Center on campus.
“Be sure to come out and give open forum public comment on what you would like to see in our new president,” Sanchez said to students.
Other upcoming events hosted by ASI and the University Student Center (SC) include:
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Welcome to the Patch on Wednesday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Warrior Square,
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Stan State Cinema: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Thursday, October 26 at 6 p.m. on the Warrior Steps,
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Bracelets and Voter Registration on Wednesday, November 1 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. in the Quad, and
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Student Government Town Hall on Tuesday, November 7 at 5 p.m. in the SC Valley Multi-Use Room.
“As ASI staff, we are students as well,” said ASI Student Government Student Coordinator Aimee Gonzalez (Sophomore, Developmental Psychology). “We are not just here for professionalism.”
“At the end of the day, we are students, and we are here for students,” Gonzalez said.
