I would like to extend my most heartfelt gratitude for the generosity of donors and community partners.
Your support is instrumental in enabling us to provide undergraduate and graduate students with programs, services, and facilities that foster academic success, promote student development, and enhance our university community.
We are dedicated to elevating, celebrating, and supporting the diverse students, faculty, and staf of SDSU through professional learning, community building, advocacy, and leadership development.
We foster an afrming campus culture grounded in the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging, and inclusion. The support of donors is crucial in enhancing the experiential opportunities for our campus community.
We thank you for your continued investment in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Chris Manning, Ph.D. Vice President for Student Afairs and Campus Diversity & Chief Inclusion and Diversity Ofcer
Year in Giving
Changing Lives through Philanthropic Support
Gus & Emma Thompson Black Resource Center Endowment
This generous contribution of $5 million to San Diego State University's Black Resource Center (BRC) will create an endowment that supports the center's greatest needs and will advance the retention and success of our Black students at SDSU. This gift has named the Black Resource Center in honor of Gus and Emma Thompson, a Black couple who were among Coronado’s earliest residents and played a signifcant role in supporting communities of color in the San Diego region.
This endowment will further the impact and mission of addressing the intellectual, mental, spiritual, and physical needs of our Black student community while improving student success through mentorship, career development, retention programming, and advancement opportunities at the Gus & Emma Thompson Black Resource Center.
Jessica P. Sarowitz Center for Guardian Scholars Endowment
The Guardian Scholars program serves students who are current or former foster youth, wards of the court, under legal guardianship or unaccompanied homeless youth. Overseen by the Ofce of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Afairs in the Division of Student Afairs and Campus Diversity, the program supports students transitioning to, through and beyond SDSU.
Guardian Scholars ofers students scholarships, help with housing and services such as tutoring, mentoring, and personal and academic counseling. Established in 2007, the program currently supports 150 SDSU students, the largest number to date.
Recently, the program received a $2.5 million gift to endow the Jessica P. Sarowitz Guardian Scholars Center in perpetuity.
Kerr Scholarship for Enlisted Veterans
The Kerr Scholarship for Enlisted Veterans will generously support students who participate in the Military and Veterans Program, empowering SDSU's military community to continue to pursue their educational goals by alleviating some of their fnancial burden and enhancing their opportunity to excel academically.
Living the Aztec Experience
Cesar Lopez, Class of 2024
Class Level: Undergraduate Student
College: Fowler College of Business
Major: Management/Entrepreneurship
Growing up, Cesar Lopez found himself getting caught up with the wrong crowd. After being expelled from high school, he ended up in a continuation school to fnish his high school diploma. It was there he realized his passion for learning. “I was able to fnd refuge in that little classroom, and I would stay there as long as I could throughout the day,” said Lopez.
Although Lopez completed high school and was attending community college, regrettable choices erased the strides he’d made in his life and landed him behind prison bars.
However, Lopez eventually found solace in education once again. While incarcerated, he earned his associate degree in criminal justice as well as four more AA degrees.
With the help of some of the educational staf he met during his incarceration, Lopez was able to start the admissions process to SDSU through Project Rebound, which supports students transitioning out of the criminal justice system. “Going to a university was always kind of a far-fetched dream for me,” said Lopez, who was familiar with SDSU’s outstanding reputation in the local community. “I didn’t even try to apply anywhere else.”
Lopez decided to give back to the organization that helped him reintegrate into college life by becoming a volunteer for SDSU’s Project Rebound. “A big part of my role is to connect our students to the resources they need through various campus partnerships,” said Lopez, now a student support specialist for the organization. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with various cultural resource centers on campus, as well as SDSU’s ofces of Student Life and Leadership and Educational Opportunities Programs. I also work closely with the SDSU Basic Needs Center, which assisted me and many others to fnd stable housing and to eliminate some of the fnancial burden our students face.”
Lopez graduated from SDSU in the spring of 2024, and is in the process of applying to graduate programs so that he can reach his goal of obtaining a Doctorate of Business Administration.
Melvin Ridley III, Class of 2024
Class Level: Undergraduate Student
College: College of Arts and Letters
Major: Political Science
Melvin Ridley III's acceptance into a Capital Fellows Program marks a milestone in his journey toward public policy.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science and a double minor in interdisciplinary studies and economics, Ridley is embarking on an 11-month program as a fellow in the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, based at California State University Sacramento’s Center for California Studies.
Ridley's selection as one of the 18 fellows for his particular fellowship underscores his dedication to efecting positive change in his community and beyond. During his academic journey, Ridley demonstrated a commitment to public service while serving as the Associated Students (A.S.) Vice President of External Relations and through his active participation in the California Higher Education Student Summit.
“Throughout my four years at SDSU, I have been fortunate enough to have various experiences that introduced me to the world of state politics,” said Ridley. “These experiences not only shaped my understanding of state politics, but also fueled my aspiration to make a meaningful change.”
These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of state politics, but have also fueled my aspiration to make a meaningful change.
Silvia Castillo, Class of 2024
Class
Level: Master's Candidate
College: College of Education
Major: Rehabilitation Counseling
Earning a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, Silvia Castillo used education as a fulcrum to turn her life around.
“I had always known about SDSU growing up in San Diego, but I never thought it was a place for me. I just thought it was for kids who were coming from better home lives and could aford it, and I knew it was very competitive, but my friends encouraged me to come.”
Since her fnal release from state prison in 2017, she credits her “hustle" support network and folks at SDSU’s Project Rebound for helping her climb back from the darkness of her earlier life.
Castillo is wrapping up her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling at San Diego State University with a 3.9 grade-point average, two years after earning her bachelor’s degree in social work from the university. She earned her master’s degree and walked the stage at Commencement in May.
“I had always known about SDSU growing up in San Diego, but I never thought it was a place for me ... I knew it was very competitive, but my friends encouraged me to come.
Celebrating Shared Success
Statistics of Interest
SDSU boasts a highly diverse student population. In fall 2023, 45% of the undergraduate student body identifed as Hispanic/Latinx, contributing to SDSU's designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
The Division of Student Afairs and Campus Diversity ofers robust resources and service, including the Basic Needs Center. During academic year 2023-2024, the center provided 1,860 requests from students seeking support for their basic needs or a fnancial crisis.
Student Afairs and Campus Diversity programming, initiatives and centers are helping to increase SDSU's retention and graduation rates. The 6-year graduation rate is 78.3% as of spring 2023 and the 4-year graduation rate is 57.9% as of spring 2023.
SDSU's Ofce of Diversity and Inclusion launched over 200 diversity-related events and workshops in the past year, engaging more than 5,000 students, faculty, and staf members. The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) has been instrumental in supporting frst-generation and low-income students. In the 2023-2024 academic year, EOP served over 3,000 students, providing academic advising, tutoring, and fnancial assistance.
Recent Highlights
Counseling and Psychological Services (C&PS) ofered over 15,000 counseling appointments in the 2023-2024 academic year, addressing a wide range of student mental health needs.
The Career Services ofce facilitated over 10,000 student appointments and hosted 250 employers at career fairs and recruitment events in the 2023-2024 academic year.
SDSU students completed over 1 million hours of community service in the 2023-2024 academic year, refecting the university's strong emphasis on community engagement and experiential learning.
3k+
In academic year 2023-2024, EOP served over 3,000 students, providing academic advising, tutoring, and fnancial assistance.
1M+
SDSU students completed over 1 million hours of community service in academic year 2023-24
Helping to Build a Brighter Future
Achievements:
Emilio Ulloa, Ph.D.
Title: Associate Chief Diversity Ofcer for HSI Afairs
College: Division of Student Afairs and Campus Diversity
In 2021, Dr. Ulloa led the campus team that earned the Seal of Excelencia granted by Excelencia in Education — an organization dedicated to closing the education equity gap and fostering Latinx student success in higher education. To earn the certifcation, an institution must prove, through evidence and data, that its institutional practices serving Latino students are efective; that it has positive Latino student progress; that it's created an environment "where Latino students thrive"; and that its leadership strategies contribute to Latino student success.
Dr. Ulloa shares, “The recognition by Excelencia is a validation of our trajectory toward the realization of a vision of excellence in serving Latinx students, faculty, and staf that is rooted in evidence, collective responsibility, and strategic intentionality, and one that continues to gain momentum.”
In May 2024, Dr. Ulloa led the team to apply for a 3-year recertifcation of the Seal. We are excited to hear about the results during the ofcial announcement that is scheduled for late September/Early October.
Dr. Ulloa is one of 50 fellows who have completed the prestigious and year-long Leadership Academy/Academia de Liderazgo from The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). The ffth cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo is designed to increase diverse representation in top administrative positions at U.S. colleges and universities. Ulloa is SDSU’s frst fellow selected for the academy. In the one-year program, Ulloa attended seminars in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Salamanca, Spain, and worked with HACU mentors. In his current position, Ulloa is in charge of governance that helps steward SDSU’s HSI designation. He directs a committee of more than 40 faculty, staf, and students who make recommendations tied to the federal designation.
“Academia de Liderazgo is a prestigious program ofered to develop leadership skills that will help you to better serve students. I am honored to have been selected to be a fellow in this program,” said Dr. Ulloa.
Faculty Achievements
Achievements:
Rachael Stewart, Ed.D.
Title: Faculty Scholar
College: Division of Student Afairs and Campus Diversity
Black Resource Center (BRC) Faculty Scholar Dr. Rachael Stewart has excelled in her work across various areas, including program development, curriculum planning, forming partnerships, conducting research, and enhancing the careers and professional growth of students.
She is presently engaged in evaluating a program for the Henrietta Goodwin Scholars Program, and initial results indicate that the frst group achieved a 100% graduation rate. This year, she collaborated with SDSU librarians and the research and innovation department to prepare more than 100 Henrietta Goodwin Scholars for exploratory research studies, which were showcased at the SDSU Student Symposium, known as S3. This event is a public platform where students from all academic levels can share their research, scholarship, and creative endeavors with the SDSU and San Diego communities.
She has also been advancing her academic pursuits in her feld of expertise, which includes studying organizational leadership, change, policy, and practices within educational systems. Her contributions include presenting her research, publishing a book through Corwin Press on the topic of belonging in schools, and ongoing work on a $7 million grant project with the College of Education’s Educational Leadership Department focused on promoting equity-driven leadership in PK-12 schools and higher education institutions.
In spring 2024, she was the recipient of the J. Luke Wood Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Award for signifcant impact in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at San Diego State University.
“One of the goals of the HGS program is to support and encourage the continued growth and success of students, including exposure to graduate studies and career exploration. This research experience provided an opportunity for my students to understand the relevance of research in their daily lives and how to apply research in their academic and career journeys," shared Dr. Stewart.
Achievements:
Caryl Montero-Adams, M.S.Ed. and Lee Mintz, Ed.D.
Title: Interim Dean of Students (Montero-Adams) and Director, Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities (Mintz)
College: Division of Student Afairs and Campus Diversity
Caryl Montero-Adams and Lee Mintz were selected for the NASPA Certifcate in Student Afairs Law and Policy program in June 2024.
Facilitated by Student Afairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), the certifcate is the exclusive law and policy program specifcally designed for student afairs educators. The program will elevate their work in promoting student success, well-being, and care while developing and upholding policy.
Additionally, Montero-Adams earned the Town Gown Relations Certifcate from the International Town & Gown Association in Spring 2024. This program centered on strengthening collaborative relationships between the university, community, and local government.
“As a civically-engaged higher education leader, my mission is to “maximize my good,” and creative problem-solving through a systems-thinking approach rooted in policy is a vehicle for me to actualize my purpose. I am grateful to be participating in the NASPA Certifcate in Student Afairs Law and Policy program as it will enhance my ability to have a positive impact on students, communities, and the feld by infuencing policy development that is informed by legal and legislative best practices,” said MonteroAdams.
Cal Coast Credit Union Student Financial Center
The Student Financial Center (SFC) opened December 14, 2020.
In February 2023, the Student Financial Center partnered with Cal Coast Credit Union to ofer fnancial literacy resources to the SDSU community. The center was then renamed the Cal Coast Student Financial Center (CCSFC). The CCSFC is focused on delivering fnancial case management and counseling to students, parents, families, and others to proactively and successfully address the fnancial needs of a diverse student body and to facilitate the efciency and efectiveness of the Financial Aid Ofce, the Scholarship Ofce, and the Bursar’s Ofce.
The CCSFC serves as the single point of contact for students to resolve questions about fnancial aid, scholarships, and student billing issues. In the 2023-24 Academic Year (August 2023 - May 2024) the center assisted approximately 51,000 students. In the entirety of 2023, there were 70,478 students and parents assisted. Customer satisfaction rates are at 95% per survey results.
The partnership between the Student Financial Center and Cal Coast Credit Union serves to promote and advance fnancial literacy outreach and engagement eforts. Through this partnership, the SDSU community is ofered individual one-on-one consultations, along with workshops and events centering on fnancial literacy and fnancial health. Cal Coast has also branded a platform called iGrad, a no-cost fnancial wellness and educational platform. iGrad features dynamic and interactive fnancial tools, courses, and resources to deliver a highly personalized experience designed for students.
Financial literacy is a critical skill that most students do not obtain throughout their college education, yet is so critical for their lifelong fnancial health. The CCSFC Lobby will remain open on the third foor of Student Services West for questions related to fnancial aid, scholarships, and student billing.
This partnership will have a lasting impact on SDSU students for years to come. Not only will the entire SDSU community beneft from the Cal Coast Student Financial Center one-stop shop, but the fnancial literacy resources will impact students for a lifetime.
Cal Coast Student Financial Center Graduation Party
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
The community centers host a total of nine First-Year Experience Programs aimed at supporting the academic success and sense of belonging of frst-year and transfer students.
First-year Experience Programs include a community-specifc university seminar, coordinated care advising, peer mentoring, travel opportunities, and the chance to get involved in community center activities.
Philanthropy and Grant Funding
APIDA: In February 2024, The SDSU Asian Pacifc Islander Desi American Center received $500K from the CSU System to improve college access and degree attainment for APIDA students from underserved communities. This efort included examining and improving student programming, increasing and/or enhancing Asian American Studies programs, providing APIDA-centered campus infrastructure, building efective partnerships, improving student-centered resources and services, etc. The CSU APIDA Initiative targets students from underserved APIDA communities who need additional assistance to improve their levels of college access and graduation.
BRC: The Gus and Emma Thompson Black Resource Center was named with this transformative gift that will further our mission of supporting the intellectual, mental, spiritual, and physical needs of our Black student community through mentorship, career development, and advancement opportunities.
GLaD: The Ofce of Graduate Life and Diversity (GLaD) at SDSU was established in Fall 2021. GLaD is dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and supportive environment for graduate students. GLaD provides numerous workshops and events to enhance the academic, professional, and personal development of graduate students. GLaD has served over 4,000 graduate students and provided writing support to over 8,000 students, mental health support to over 500 students, and professional development support to over 900 students.
Jessica P. Sarowitz Center for Guardian Scholars Endowment: Guardian Scholars ofers students scholarships, help with housing and services such as tutoring, mentoring, and personal and academic counseling. Established in 2007, the program currently supports 150 SDSU students, the largest number to date. Recently, the program received a $2.5 million gift to endow the Jessica P. Sarowitz Guardian Scholars Center in perpetuity.
Staf members who work at and represent the Community Centers at SDSU.
Project Rebound: Project Rebound supports the higher education and successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals wishing to enroll and succeed at the California State University. By connecting students with critical resources, Project Rebound constructs an alternative to the revolving door policy of mass incarceration and increases community strength and safety. SDSU’s Project Rebound received funding from the CSU to support transfer pathways with the California Community Colleges, including the transition to campus for formally incarcerated individuals.
Lloyd Yee Dong, Jr., Girina Dong, and Dr. Chris Manning visiting the Black Resource Center students and staf members.
Project Rebound graduates
Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP)
The Ofce of Educational Opportunity Programs, Outreach and Success (EOPOS) seeks to educate, empower, and motivate students and their loved ones from historically underserved and underrepresented communities by providing innovative recruitment, transitional and retention services to attain a university degree.
The programs served under this department include EOP, Compact, Price and Guardian Scholars who are largely frst generation, low-income students of color.
This academic year, we have completed 6,347 student appointments, which included meetings with our counselors, wellness coaches, and fnancial aid specialist. Previously, only 80 Compact Scholars were being served with academic advising, but we have increased that number to 735 student appointments and campaigns supported through our advising eforts.
We have also implemented new Student Success Plans, which have signifcantly assisted with supporting students who were at risk of being disqualifed or on academic probation. Our student mentors conducted active outreach to students who were at risk of failing their courses to connect them with the academic support and tutoring services we provide in our ofce at no cost to the student.
We have increased our tutoring and academic support to 848 students being served in both in-person and virtual modalities, which is a 91% increase from last year. Our workshop attendance has also increased by 46%. We look forward to welcoming two EOPOS Counselors to the team to support Men of Color initiatives for the division, university, and CSU.
We will be opening our new Jessica P. Sarowitz Center for Guardian Scholars (GS) in fall 2024 to provide a larger space for our GS students to host workshops and build community as we expand to serve 200 GS students. This also includes hiring a GS Program Manager to assist with overseeing the space and identifying new, innovative ways to ensure their basic needs and academic support is being met to reach their goal of graduation.
Our Outreach, Recruitment and Admissions (ORA) team has also conducted over 133 outreach events for students in K-14 both on and of campus. This includes junior visits from our Sweetwater Unifed High
The 2024 EOPS Meet and Greet Summit hosted annually in collaboration with Region X’s EOPS and Transfer Center Counselors.
School District partners, as we celebrate the signing of our Compact for Success MOU through 2031.
EOP, Outreach and Success continues to exemplify the division’s mission of “Students at Our Core," as we constantly fnd new ways to support and uplift our students to be the conscious, global leaders of tomorrow.
Price Community Scholars in our sixth cohort who graduated this Spring and Summer 2024, completing their degree in four years at SDSU. Many are pursuing graduate programs, research opportunities and amazing job opportunities.
EOPOS had 994 graduating students from Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024. Annually, we have a Graduation Ceremony to celebrate our students and their loved ones on reaching this huge milestone of being frst generation graduates..
Associated Students (AS)
During the 2023-24 academic year, the Associated Students (A.S.) of San Diego State University (SDSU) proudly established the Glen Brandenburg Sustainability Scholarship in honor of A.S.'s former Director of Facilities & Sustainability. This scholarship aims to reward and support students who share Glen's commitment to making a positive impact on the environment and society.
Glen's dedication to sustainability and organizational excellence during his 50-year tenure at A.S. has left a lasting impression on the campus community. Before serving as the A.S. Director of Facilities & Sustainability, Glen was the Director and Co-Founder of the Mission Bay Aquatic Center (MBAC), which was a model for responsible and sustainable practices. In September 2008, MBAC became 100% solar powered. By April 2013, the center became the frst in the California State University (CSU) system and the second facility in San Diego County to achieve LEED Platinum certifcation.
Under his visionary leadership, Glen achieved various milestones, including the installation of 1.75 megawatts of on-site solar power, the development of two LEED Double-Platinum buildings, and the transformation of all A.S. facilities into LEED Existing Building Gold and Platinum-certifed structures. Additionally, he contributed to educational initiatives, such as the monthly Green Lunch Bag Series and the establishment of the A.S. Food Pantry, which has had a profound impact on the SDSU community.
Since launching the Glen Brandenburg Sustainability Scholarship program, A.S. has received support from generous donors. A.S. plans to continue raising funds for the scholarship and award students for carrying on Glen's dedicated research, hard work, and collaborative leadership throughout his career.
The Glen Brandenburg Sustainability Scholarship stands as a testament to Glen's enduring legacy and his tireless eforts to promote sustainability within the university. This scholarship not only honors his remarkable achievements but also ensures that his passion for sustainability continues to inspire and empower future generations of students at SDSU.
Providing Resources for Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Aztecs
