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Associated Students Staff Newsletter

Associated Students Apr '26

Artistry, Aquatics & Agriculture

Director’s Message: Ryan DeLong

As we head into a spring season that feels suspiciously like summer, this time of year always brings a renewed sense of energy, both personally and professionally. Longer days, warmer weather, baseball in full swing and commencement just around the corner make it an exciting stretch. I hope this season brings you that same sense of momentum and serves as a reminder of the meaningful impact you and our organization have on our students and campus.

In the DeLong household, spring means one thing: baseball has officially taken over (and yes, weekends are no longer ours). I coach my son Hayden’s 7-8 year-old team at Rolando Little League, which keeps my wife Kimberly and me busy juggling practices, games, snack duty logistics and an impressive amount of dirt-covered laundry. Still, there’s nothing better than watching the kids grow their skills and love for the game. It’s a big part of why I enjoy coaching and, in many ways, why I find so much fulfillment in supporting students through Associated Students.

This time of year also has me thinking about our graduating students. Like the players I coach, they’re ready for their next step, and I hope we’ve helped equip them with the skills, confidence and professionalism to succeed. While this time of year can feel a bit bittersweet, I am filled with gratitude amid the busyness. I encourage each staff member of A.S. to pause and recognize the incredible work you all do to create a positive environment for students and the entire campus community.

Ryan DeLong
Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Director

Ryan and his family.
Ryan and his wife Kimberly visiting their son’s (Hayden’s) classroom

SWANA Heritage Month

April marks the annual Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month at San Diego State University and coincides with the National Arab American Heritage Month. This heritage month aims to increase awareness about the history, cultures, experiences, contributions and resiliency of the SWANA community. The SDSU Center for Intercultural Relations, in collaboration with student organizations and community partners, plan educational and celebratory programming and invite faculty, staff, and students to participate in the annual series of events.

The SDSU Center for Intercultural Relations (CIR), in collaboration with student organizations and community partners, plans educational and celebratory programming and invites faculty, staff and students to participate in the annual events.

For more information about upcoming events, you can visit the CIR’s programs and events webpage.

All students, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin, who are interested in celebrating and participating in history month events are welcome. Learn more by reading SDSU's Affirming Equal Opportunity statement.

Southwest Asian and North African Heritage Month

Celebrate World Art Day with A is for Art

Creativity takes center stage at the SDSU Children’s Center’s annual A is for Art fundraiser, where the artistic abilities of children ages 6 months to 5 years are on full display.

This year’s event will be held on April 25 at 6 p.m. in Montezuma Hall and will include a live auction featuring original student artwork, opportunity drawings and a variety of hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

For more than two decades, A is for Art has provided young learners with the opportunity to explore artistic expression through both traditional and unconventional methods. Inspired by a range of artists, children from each classroom experiment with diverse materials and playful techniques to create a 24” by 36” masterpiece, with every child contributing to the final piece.

The impact of the event extends beyond the artwork itself. Last year, A is for Art raised over $12,000 to support the Children’s Center’s Edible Garden, enriching hands-on learning experiences for all of the children.

To purchase tickets for this adults-only event, visit childcare.sdsu.edu/aisforart.

Two people stand next to a painting called The Missing Forest by The Whales classroom.

Honoring Earth Month with Green Love

by Charlotte Roberts, A.S. Sustainability Coordinator

Happy Earth Month! Did you know that empowering the next generation of leaders is one of the most effective ways to practice sustainability?

Our A.S. Sustainability Commission, aka “Green Love,” defines sustainability as a mindset to apply to any job, project or lifestyle where the wellness of life on earth is a priority — not only today, but also into the future. If you’re someone who values fresh air, clean water, nutritious food, safe transportation, affordable housing and access to green space, the sustainability mindset is for you!

If you’d like to know what great things Green Love has been up to this past academic year, here is a list of their inspiring accomplishments:

September:

  • Hosted a civic engagement workshop facilitated by transportation experts from the San Diego Region.

October:

  • Contributed input to the SDSU Transportation Demand Management Plan.
  • Hosted the fall A.S. Swap Shop — check out this fun recap video.

November:

  • Funded 13 new trees and 45 drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly plants for the END 700 field.

December:

  • Reviewed course submissions from faculty members for the first year of Sustainability Course Designations appearing in the SDSU Course Catalog.

February:

  • Led an educational water quality workshop with San Diego Coastkeeper.
  • Presented a metal water bottle reuse program to Student Support Commission.
  • Successfully advocated for EBT to be accepted at additional Aztec Market locations.

March:

  • Organized two zero-waste events for GreenFest week: an interactive Cooking with the Chefs event and a nature-healing workshop featuring indigenous knowledge and storytelling.
  • Visited the SDSU Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve and learned about the important environmental and cultural field research being done there.
  • Hosted a mending station at the Spring A.S. Swap Shop where local seamstresses from the San Diego community taught SDSU students how to repair clothing.
  • Swapped around 1,000 items of clothing at the spring semester A.S. Swap Shop.

April:

  • Hosting a workshop about sustainability for students from Helix High School.
  • Join us this Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22) at the SDSU Sustainability Summit where Green Love leaders will speak about food resources and composting on campus!

For tips on how you can incorporate sustainability into your personal life, check out the Sustainable New Year’s Practices article from our January A.S. Newsletter! Happy Earth Month!

A group at Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve.
Green Love members with the President’s Sustainability Advisory Committee at the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve.

A.S. Student Employee Survey

A.S. is interested in hearing your feedback about your experience as a student employee!  Share how your role has helped you learn skills related to your current success and future career aspirations. Your insight will directly help us develop training for your personal and professional growth.

Please take the time to complete this brief student employee survey [Hyperlink to be included]. Your input is valued, and all responses will remain confidential.

Upon completion, you can enter for an opportunity drawing to receive a $15 gift card from the SDSU Bookstore!

This survey is available now until April 17, 2026.

A person using a laptop.

Summer Offerings with A.S.

As we prepare for summer, A.S. is excited to offer a variety of student and family-friendly programs designed to keep everyone active and engaged. Whether you are looking to stay cool in the water or enjoy some friendly competition at the bowling alley, we have something for every age group. Check out this year’s highlights at Aztec Lanes, the Mission Bay Aquatic Center and the Aquaplex:

Aztec Lanes - Kids Bowl Free All Summer!

  • From May 16 through Aug. 21, 2026, kids 12 and under can receive two free games of bowling, every day, all summer long! Kids must be registered through the Aztec Lanes website. This perk is available on a walk-in basis only.

Watersports at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center

  • Watersports Equipment Rentals: The whole family can participate in a fun day of watersports on the Mission Bay. Rent single or tandem kayaks or stand-up paddleboards. Monthly memberships are also available to enjoy more time on the water!
  • MBAC Group Events: Book a party with small group, lesson-style activities including surfing, stand-up paddling, sailing and more. Or, host an unforgettable watersports beach birthday party with activities such as tubing, paddling and sailing!
  • Watersports Camp: Kids 6-17 can participate in half-day or full-day camps at MBAC. Activities include sailing, surfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakesurfing, stand-up paddling, kayaking, marine science and intro to watersports classes.

Swimming Lessons at the Aquaplex

  • Enjoy fun, safe lessons for ages six months and up in the Aquaplex kid-friendly beach entry pool. Lessons include Parent & Child, Preschool, Levels 1-5 and Adult Beginner. Class offerings can be found on the ARC website.

Stay Active at the ARC

  • Student Summer Membership: If you aren't enrolled in summer classes, you can still access the ARC! Summer memberships will be available to purchase at the front desk starting May 18. 
  • Group Fitness Classes: From Yoga to Total Body, find the full summer group fitness schedule and register on the ARC app.
  • Intramural Sports: Don't miss out on summer sessions. Download Fusion Play to stay updated and sign your team up. Courts will also remain open for drop-in basketball, volleyball, futsal, pickleball, and badminton. The ENS 700 and Recreation Fields will also remain open for outdoor activities. 
  • Climbing Wall: The wall will be open for drop-in climbing all summer long. Check out the hours page for any holiday or facility alerts.
A couple kids enjoying bowling at Aztec Lanes.

5 Questions Celebrating National Garden

In honor of National Garden Month, this month’s 15 Questions article features 5 Questions answered by the children in the Whales class at the SDSU Children’s Center. Read below to see their responses about the Children’s Center Edible Garden.

  1. What is your name and how old are you?

    We are the Whales! We are 3 and 4 years olds.

  2. What do you pick in the garden?

    Owen: Green onions and we ate them in the garden.

    Adrian: I loved the green onions. And I just tried one and it was not spicy.

    Aidan: I pick apples in my garden and we got worms for our praying mantis.

    Nessa: The blueberry tree and baskets with things.

    Amaya: Tomatoes.

  3. If you could grow any plant in the world, what would it be?

    Anouk: A Venus fly trapper.

    Aidan: A blueberry tree.

    Owen: A special one, a bass tree like the fish and a boat tree.

    Adrian: A unicorn cat.

    Josiah: A cantaloupe oh actually a kiwi tree.

    Maise: A watermelon.

    Amaya: Pineapple and grapes blue ones.

    Lexi: A tie dye plant.

    Nomi: A strawberry.

  4. What do plants need to grow?

    Amaya: Water and sun.

    Anouk: The sun helps them make food.

    Josiah: First! Add some dirt and then you water your tree and then when it’s all done you ask God for some sun so it grows.

    Maise: Water.

    Lexi: You have to get seeds then get a hole put them in there then cover it and then put soil inside and then the sun grows it.

    Nessa: They need water and sun and the rain helps them go from small to big trees.

  5. What is your favorite thing to do in the garden?

    Reese: Plant all the trees.

    Miles: See potato plants.

    Everett: Look at the flowers and fix them.

    DJ: Mommy and daddy at the beach.

A child from the whales classroom triumphantly holds up a green onion his class grew.