Associated Students Staff Newsletter

Hello A.S. Community,

As we approach the final stretch of the spring semester, I want to take a moment to reflect and express my gratitude to the many staff across A.S. who supported this year’s student government elections. Your collaboration and commitment made a meaningful difference.

This year, we saw record participation during Vote-a-Pollooza and maintained nearly 15% voter turnout for the second year in a row — an exciting sign of sustained student engagement. We also received an exceptionally high number of applications for both elected and appointed positions, demonstrating that students are eager to get involved and represent their peers.

To me, this momentum reflects a growing awareness of A.S. and the work we do on behalf of the student body. While there is always more to build, these outcomes are a strong step forward. As I often say, “onwards and upwards,” and I believe this is a great indication of what’s ahead.

As we close out the semester, I’m looking forward to welcoming and onboarding our new student leaders and continuing to build on this energy as we head into the next year.

Wishing you all a strong finish to the semester.

Olivera Jovanovic
Director, SDSU Children’s Center

After making history as the first all-female A.S. Executive Officer team, these five leaders continued to break A.S. history throughout their term. As the year comes to a close, read on as they reflect on their time in office:

Kareen Holstrom, A.S. President

1. What was your favorite memory in the past year?

   Too many memories to choose from! From A.S. Retreat back in August to council meetings each week, I have loved building relationships with council members and A.S. staff across departments. Some of my favorite memories are the ones that I built within the A.S. office — talking (a lot) in the break room, at Thursday’s Together, during Business Services’ birthdays celebrations and when passing around the Top Dog!

2. I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.

   I am proud to say that we led during an unpredictable year. I am proud of the morale and engagement that we saw across Associated Students this year! From the expansion of the ARC to the development of the SWANA Center, implementation of the Academic Partnership Agreement and other projects, I cannot wait to see how all of the initiatives furthered this year progress over time.

3. If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…

   Community, laughter and creativity!

4. What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?

   The impact of the people around you in the workplace! I will spend the rest of my professional career seeking the sense of community and belonging that I have found here within Associated Students. Every smile, simple conversation in passing and interaction at the printer helped me feel connected and supported. This position has been the most impactful thing for my personal and professional development, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of all of you!

5. What are your future plans?

   I will be attending Cal State University, Long Beach in the fall to pursue a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (M.S. I-O). I will be on an applied track, focusing on people analytics, learning and development and organizational success! While I will no longer be in San Diego, please don’t hesitate to stay in touch and reach out!

Milan Rawls, Executive Vice President

1. The Chili Cookoff!

   Too many memories to choose from! From A.S. Retreat back in August to council meetings each week, I have loved building relationships with council members and A.S. staff across departments. Some of my favorite memories are the ones that I built within the A.S. office — talking (a lot) in the break room, at Thursday’s Together, during Business Services’ birthdays celebrations and when passing around the Top Dog!

2. I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.

   I am most proud of myself for creating an environment where students feel able to transparently and effectively voice concerns to create intentional change.

3. If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…

   Grounding, fulfilling and community-building

4. What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?

   I have learned the benefits of collaboration and working with individuals who may not be like myself! Being able to connect with such various personalities, thought processes and strengths helped me understand and see first-hand how different approaches and experiences can work cohesively to reach great success.

5. What are your future plans?

   Be the next A.S. President!!!!!!

Abby McLachlan, Vice President of External Relations

1. What was your favorite memory in the past year?

   My favorite memory over the past year was the spending summers with the other execs in the office! We got to build such amazing connections with each other but also with all of the amazing A.S. staff!

2. I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.

   I am most proud of the productivity and advocacy that came out of my board (The A.S. External Relations Board) this year! We had almost seven different deliverables, including a resolution and letters to local officials.

3. If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…

   Engaging, collaboration and exciting.

4. What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?

   One thing I learned at A.S. that I will take with me is how to build effective and productive relationships! Learning how to listen and turn student issues into action is a skill I think will be really applicable in my future career!

5. What are your future plans?

   I will be heading to Washington D.C. to work in policy and political communication!

Aliza Siddiqui, Vice President of Financial Affairs

1. What was your favorite memory in the past year?

   My favorite memory was seeing the impact of the Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign come to life, especially during the reveal when we announced raising a record-breaking amount of $114,567. It was such a full-circle moment to see the entire campus community come together for something bigger than all of us.

2. I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.

   I am most proud of myself for expanding access, whether that was increasing funding for student organizations, supporting $765K+ in study abroad scholarships or launching initiatives like Finance Forward Week to make financial literacy more accessible to students.

3. If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…

   Impactful, passionate and rewarding.

4. What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?

   I learned that leadership is about listening first. The most meaningful decisions came from understanding the needs of students and working collaboratively to turn those insights into action.

5. What are your future plans?

   After graduation, I plan to begin my career in a role that blends technology and business while continuing to pursue opportunities that create meaningful impact. I also hope to pursue an MBA in the future to further develop my leadership and strategic thinking skills.

Nadia Gallarzo, Vice President of Financial Affairs

1. What was your favorite memory in the past year?

   My favorite memory this past year was the A.S. Summer Retreat. It was such a great opportunity to connect, reflect and build a stronger sense of community with everyone!

2. I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.

   I am most proud of myself for working with library administration to help bring back 24/7 library hours for students.

3. If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…

   If I had to describe my term in three words, it would be: rewarding, inspirational and transformative.

4. What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?

   One thing I learned in A.S. that I will carry into my future is the importance of work-life balance, along with taking advantage of every opportunity because you never know where it might lead.

5. What are your future plans?

   My future plans include attending USD to pursue my master’s in Social Innovation.

To celebrate nine years since the grand opening of Trader Joe's at SDSU, A.S. staff are sharing their must-have picks. Take a look below for some inspiration for your next grocery run!

Cole Davis, Aztec Recreation Fitness & Wellness Coordinator

• Go-To Lunch Item: My go-to lunch item is the butter chicken; it is pretty high calorie but so delicious and helps carry me through the day.
• Feel-Good Favorite: My favorite healthy option is the salad kits that come with dressing and toppings ready for mixing; the BBQ & Black Pepper Toscano is my favorite!
• Hidden Gem: The mini brie cheese rounds are a true hidden gem — they are great as is but also delicious baked with some puff pastry and topped with jam!
• Frozen Fav: My favorite frozen food is the pork gyoza. They are super easy to make for lunch or dinner and pair deliciously with the Trader Joe’s sweet chili sauce.
• Sweet Treat:  Easy — the Apple Cider Donuts Trader Joe’s carries in fall are so yummy and become truly elite when microwaved for 5-7 seconds.
• Salty Snack: The Baked Cheese Crunchies are so good and also provide me with the illusion that they are healthier than name brand Cheetos.

Mollie Estep, Viejas Arena Office Coordinator

• Go-To Lunch Item: Caesar Salad with White Meat Chicken — this is my favorite because it truly is the perfect balance of fresh, filling and protein-packed that gets me through the rest of my day.
• Feel-Good Favorite: Avocado Mash — I am OBSESSED with this mash! It has the perfect consistency and the hint of salt and lime is the perfect amount and does not overpower the avocado.
• Hidden Gem: Raspberry Oat Bites — I feel like this flavor is not super well known (like the peanut butter and jelly ones) but they have just the right mix of sweet and wholesome ingredients.  
• Frozen Fav: Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni Pasta — this is my go-to for a quick, creamy, comfort meal and for someone who LOVES spicy, it is perfect! 
• Sweet Treat: Strawberry Hold the Cone! Mini ice cream cones! These are my favorite because they are perfectly sweet and portioned. They hit the spot without being overindulgent.
• Salty Snack: Garlic Butter Irish Potato Chips — I'm not usually a super salty girl but I can’t get enough of these. The bold, buttery flavor is perfect!

Omar Sanchez, Payroll Coordinator

• Go-To Lunch Item: California roll or vegetable roll. They are an easy option for a grab-and-go lunch without the need of a microwave.
• Feel-Good Favorite: Shelled edamame with sea salt. They're perfect to snack on, or add to your favorite salad and enjoy.
• Hidden Gem: Not sure if it's a hidden gem, but the Very Green 100% Juice Smoothie is one of my favorites. This nutrient-rich beverage has plenty of fruits and greens to keep you fueled throughout your day. 
• Frozen Fav: Chicken burrito bowl; the southwest chipotle sauce packs this little bowl with some serious flavor, plus it's high in protein. (tip: add hot sauce to tie all the flavors together)  
• Sweet Treat: – Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups! The chocolate to peanut butter ratio in these tiny treats is well calculated to make you want more than one. 
• Salty Snack: Organic Corn Chip Dippers — the amount of crunch is satisfying and they pair easy with your choice of dip.

Nathan Wolf, Aztec Recreation Assistant Director

• Go-To Lunch Item: The BBQ Chicken Salad is my personal favorite, with a lot of mix-ins and hearty dose of BBQ sauce and ranch; most definitely not the healthiest option, but the tastiest in my opinion.
• Feel-Good Favorite: Unexpected Cheddar Cheese & Turkey Sausage Egg White Bites — while you could easily make these, the grab-and-go packs make it an easy and healthy light breakfast option packed with protein while keeping it low cal.
• Hidden Gem: Balsamic Rosemary Beef Steak Tips — one of my favorite easy and quick dinner options to throw on the grill and have a quick yet tasty meal in less than 15 minutes.
• Favorite Frozen Food: I always have a bag of Pork Gyoza Potstickers in the freezer stocked for a quick snack or an easy dinner when I don't feel like breaking out a bunch of dishes or spending too much time in the kitchen.
• Sweet Treat: Cookie Butter Ice Cream — I can't get it too often because I love ice cream and lack self control when it comes to just one bowl, but of the ice cream options they have, this one takes the cake.
• Salty Snack: Ketchup Flavored Lattice Potato Chips — this might be a seasonal item, but the closest thing I've found to a true Canadian ketchup chip and it never disappoints.

 

Jeanie Maidona, Aztec Student Union Programs Coordinator

• Go-To Lunch: Chicken Tikka Masala. If I ever forget to bring lunch, this is my go-to. It’s affordable, the portion is perfect and it always hits the spot. Bonus points for being quick to heat up in the microwave.
• Feel-Good Favorite: Roasted Plantain Chips. They may not be “super” healthy, but I love them as a better alternative to potato chips. They’re roasted instead of fried and have a great crunch.
• Favorite Hidden Gem: Strawberry Snickerdoodle Cookies. These are a seasonal item my roommate and I would always stock up on. They’re a version of the original Trader Joe’s snickerdoodle cookies which are super soft and chewy, but even better because of the strawberry flavor. The cinnamon isn’t as overpowering as in the original, which lets the strawberry come through. I consider them a hidden gem since you can’t find them year-round, so they’re a must-try when available.
• Sweet Treat: Mini Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. I love these because they’re mini, which I think makes them more fun to eat. They’re perfect to keep in my office for a small sweet treat throughout the day.
• Frozen Fav: Kung Pao Chicken. This is my go-to frozen meal because it’s quick and easy to make when I get home hungry. I usually pair it with white rice. It’s enough for dinner and leftovers for lunch. I've heated this up in the A.S. Office breakroom microwave before, and some people think I made it from scratch…
• Salty Snack: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips. These remind me of Takis, which I love. They have a great chili-lime flavor with just the right amount of spice, making them my go-to salty snack.

Dawn McCabe, SDSU Children’s Center Supervising Teacher

• Go-To Lunch Item: I really like the Beef & Queso Bowl. It's not the prettiest lunch, but it's pretty tasty when paired with some avocado and chips.
• Feel-Good Favorite:  My family loves the Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto. We use it almost every week to mix in with mac and cheese or throw on chicken, it's so good. 
• Hidden Gem: The Organic Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract and Bourbon Vanilla Beans are a staple in my pantry and all my baked goods. Plus, the vanilla beans are priced so reasonably.
• Frozen Fav: There are too many to choose from! The Taiwanese Green Onion Pancakes never disappoint when paired with a fried egg and TJ's Unexpected Cheddar — it's one of my favorite breakfasts. 
• Sweet Treat: Currently, the Passion Fruit Meringue Tarlettes are 10/10 in my household. If you love passion fruit, they're such a surprisingly delicious tropical treat. 
• Salty Snack: I love the Plantain Crisps as a substitute for chips. They're crunchy, salty and I usually end up eating the entire bag. The Elote Corn Chip Dippers are a close second!

Sara Sanders, SDSU Children’s Center Assistant Director

• Go-To Lunch Item: The Classic Greek Salad is hands-down the best little salad — fresh, flavorful and perfectly portioned for an easy lunch at around $4.
• Feel-Good Favorite: You can’t go wrong with the fresh fruit and produce — simple, wholesome and always high quality.
• Hidden Gem: The Crispy Jalapeño Pieces are a game changer and are such a fun, spicy crunch that elevates any salad.
• Favorite Frozen Food: The ice cream sandwiches (recently introduced to me!) are absolutely delicious and a must-try from the freezer aisle.
• Sweet Treat: The Dark Chocolate Lover's Chocolate Bar is the best. They are rich, perfectly bitter and just the right touch of sweetness when cutting back on sugar. But the real reason I go to Trader Joe's is for the Chocolate Coconut Almonds. There's really no comparison to others.  You definitely can't stop after one handful. 
• Salty Snack: Jalapeño puffs bring the perfect kick — light, crunchy and seriously addictive.

Mollie Estep, Viejas Arena Office Coordinator

1. What is your name, job title?

   My name is Mollie Estep, and I am an Office Coordinator and Payroll Liaison for Viejas Arena.

2. Which A.S. department do you work in? Describe your job in 25 words or less.

   I work at Viejas Arena and the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater. I keep the day-to-day office operations running smoothly, manage our social media accounts and act as the go-between for employees and payroll. I wear many hats!

3. How long have you worked for A.S.?

   I have been with A.S. for about 8 months.

4. Is your favorite part of working for A.S.?

   I absolutely love working for A.S. because it’s such a positive, team-oriented environment, especially in my role at Viejas Arena. I enjoy being part of such an amazing team, helping with the behind-the-scenes work that keeps things running smoothly, supporting my student admins and making sure everyone is taken care of.

5. What was the last movie you saw? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

   The last movie I watched was “Finding Dory!” My roommates, boyfriend and I have been rewatching all the Pixar films in order, and as far as sequels go, this one definitely gets a thumbs up.

6. If you had to move to another country, which one would you choose? And why?

   United Kingdom or Denmark, specifically London or Copenhagen! I love European history, the culture, the people and I also really enjoy rainy and gloomy weather.

7. If you had one free hour each day, how would you use it?

   I would use that extra hour to read more. I love reading but can’t always find the extra time, so the free hour would be great!

8. If you won $5 million, what would you do with it?

   I would split it up. I would give half to my parents/siblings, a quarter would go into my savings/retirement and I would use the last quarter for travel with friends and family.

9. If you had to sing karaoke right now, which song would you pick? And why?

   “Creep” by Radiohead. I love Radiohead, and I feel like this song is a classic karaoke song.

10. Do you collect anything? What do you collect and why?

    I collect enamel pins and key chains from everywhere I travel.

    

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    When the weather is nice, I love going up to Kit Carson park in Escondido to play disc golf.

12. Would you rather speak all languages or be able to talk with animals? And why?

    I would rather speak all languages so that wherever I travel, communicating with the local residents will be easier.

13. What does your perfect burger have on it?

    My perfect burger has a lightly toasted brioche bun with a ground turkey patty, fresh sliced avocado, crisp butter lettuce, sharp cheddar cheese and a light aioli.

14. What’s the best concert you’ve been to and why was it so good?

    It is a tie between Thom York at the Santa Barbara Bowl in 2019 and Oasis in Dublin in 2025. Both shows were absolutely fantastic and unforgettable!

15. Which A.S. staff member has inspired/supported you the most? And how?

    Honestly, everyone I work with is super supportive but Deanne has been one of the most patient and supportive managers I have ever worked for.