Pride, Pursuing Passions and Places for Lunch

Executive Officer Receives First-Ever Scholarship

2024-25 A.S. Executive Vice President Tajuddin Henry was recently awarded as one of six California State University students honored for their leadership in community service and advocating for Black excellence. Read below to learn more about Tajuddin’s story and scholarship.

This article previously appeared in SDSU NewsCenter.

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Since middle school, Tajuddin Henry said he couldn't wait to get to college. 

Higher learning presented him the opportunity to pursue his true passions – nurturing his creativity, passion for public service and building community, things he felt he couldn’t truly pursue during his secondary education while growing up in South Los Angeles. 

“While I was nurtured and grew into who I am because of the lessons I learned in school, my best traits as a student and person were overlooked by traditional educational metrics,” Henry said. “I saw college not just as an educational institution, but as a vibrant community where I could actively shape and be shaped by diverse experiences and perspectives to ensure that students, especially those from backgrounds similar to mine, feel seen, supported and empowered.” 

Since his arrival at San Diego State University in Fall 2022, Henry has made his vision of college a reality, pursuing multiple avenues of co-curricular, social and community involvement. 

The California State University System is honoring Henry’s exceptional record of academic success, service and involvement, as it was announced Friday that he is one of six students to receive the inaugural Black Student Success Scholarship.

Sponsored by the CSU Foundation, students receive a $5,000 award for the 2024-25 academic year. The recipients were selected for demonstrating leadership in increasing equitable access to higher education and undertaking community service that promotes anti-racism work and cultural change to elevate Black excellence, according to a news release. 

“These scholars represent the highest ideals and brightest future of our university system and embody our commitment to creating a culture and community throughout the CSU where all students, faculty and staff have equitable representation, holistic support and an authentic sense of belonging,” CSU Chancellor Mildred García said. 

Henry, a rising junior who was on hand in Sacramento to receive the award during the CSU Juneteenth Symposium, said the scholarship is a game changer for him.

“Being awarded the Black Student Success Scholarship represents not only a recognition of my efforts thus far but also an affirmation of my commitment to my academic and community-centric goals,” Henry said. 

“I have always cared about bettering my community and investing in those around me, and by alleviating my financial burden, this scholarship will enable me to further dedicate time to advocating for the needs of and striving to uplift those around me,” Henry said. “It reaffirms that the path I have chosen—one of service, advocacy, and education—is not only viable but valued.” 

Henry is double majoring in Africana Studies and Public Health with a minor in leadership development and holds a 3.45 grade-point average. He was elected to the Associated Students executive board for the 2024-25 school year as executive vice president. He serves as events chair for the Student African American Brotherhood, an academic coach at the Black Resource Center (BRC) and is an active member of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

He also serves as residential advisor and is actively involved in Swipe Out Hunger, serving as a policy advocate. 

Leilani Anderson, a senior business administration major who worked alongside Henry at the BRC, said that she isn’t surprised that he is being honored with the scholarship.

“Taj truly embodies what this scholarship means through his dedication to uplifting the black community at SDSU,” she said. “I’m excited to witness his continued contributions and impact.” 

SDSU staff who have watched Henry blossom during his time on campus say there’s no one more deserving of the honor. 

“Tajuddin being awarded the inaugural Black Student Success Scholarship is a testament to his academic achievements and deep commitment to leadership,” said Christina Brown, executive director of Associated Students. 

“As the newly elected Executive Vice President of A.S., his passion for inclusivity and student empowerment are commendable. This scholarship honors his achievements and also provides him with the support to further his mission of creating a positive and impactful environment.”

BRC Assistant Director Donnae Prather said Henry’s involvement at the center provides a glimpse into his commitment to service. 

“Taj has shown leadership and service on so many levels,” Prather said. “I am looking forward to continuing to see him shine and make a difference.”

SDSU offers a number of programs and services to foster and promote Black excellence, including the Henrietta Goodwin Scholars Program and Harold K. Brown Knowledge, Education and Empowerment Program, Black Transfer Student Support, the African American Mentoring Program and the Black Research Symposium, among others. Most operate out of the Black Resource Center, which Henry said has been pivotal to his success at SDSU.

“The Black Resource Center has nurtured me as a student since before I came on campus; it is the sole reason I have been so willing to become involved or felt comfortable committing to SDSU as my home for my undergraduate experience,” Henry said. “As a student, a leader, an employee and as an individual the BRC has helped me grow into the man I am today, and my community and staff have done nothing but support me with open arms and open ears.”

Henry, who said he is motivated by paying his success forward to the next generation of students and championing holistic student development, has ambitious goals for the 2024-25 academic year. 

In addition to personal goals of raising his GPA and developing his future career skills as a policy advocate, researcher and public health professional, Henry said he plans on applying for the Quest for the Best and Donald A. Strauss Scholarship Foundation scholarship, running for Homecoming Court and seeking membership in the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. 

“By leading and participating in initiatives that advocate for holistic student development and success, not only do I feed my inner child, I hope to influence positive changes that will benefit current and future students,” Henry said. 

After graduation, he wants to pursue a master’s degree in Public Health and Public Policy, which he said will allow him “to advocate for the erasure of disparities that minoritized communities face at various levels in social, educational, medicinal and political fields.”

Henry eventually plans to earn a doctorate in Public Health and Africana Studies. 

“This support emboldens my resolve to continue pushing for systemic change both within my university and in broader communities, ensuring that my academic journey is not just about personal achievement, but about fostering collective growth and success,” Henry said. 

The 2024 inaugural CSU Black Student Success Scholars are:

Armand Jovaughn Egere, CSU Dominguez Hills
Asad Franklin, Sonoma State
Tajuddin Henry, San Diego State
Olympia Joy Pereira, San Francisco State
Aliyshah Shamburger, Cal State San Bernardino
Chloe Thomas, Cal State Long Beach

Lunch Spots to Visit Around Campus

By Olivia Li, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

If you’re looking for a new lunch spot on campus this summer, you’re in luck! Earlier this month, some of the Government Affairs staff and I went around campus scouting out some of the best lunch spots to take a break and enjoy nature.

We scored each of the lunch spots with the following criteria: walking distance (from the Student Union), shade available, seating available and overall ambiance. Hope you find a new place to enjoy your well-deserved lunch!

Native and Indigenous Healing Garden

Scoring:

• Walk: 7/10
• Shade: 6/10
• Seating: 10/10 if you’re going by yourself or 2/10 with a group
• Ambiance: 9/10

The Native and Indigenous Healing Garden opened in 2021 and was created to be reminiscent of the elaborate gardens that the Aztecs enjoyed in Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire. This spot is great if you are going on a solo lunch break, with only one main bench sitting under a pergola. Enjoy the sounds from the fountain as well as the 30’ x 60’ mural that captures the significance of plants to indigenous life.

Mediterranean Garden

Scoring:

• Walk: 7/10
•  Shade: 10/10
• Seating: 10/10
• Ambiance: 10/10

The Mediterranean Garden is a beautiful spot with plants from the five Mediterranean regions: California Floristic Province, Chile, Mediterranean Basin, South Africa and Australia. The ambiance is wonderful with a fountain that provides great background noise to your lunch. The garden is also close to Bell Pavillion so if you’re picking up your lunch, you can walk an extra couple of minutes to enjoy the garden.

Storm Hall Patio

Scoring:

• Walk: 3/10
• Shade: 10/10
• Seating: 10/10
• Ambiance: 8/10

The Storm Hall Patio has a great view of San Diego that is sure to be relaxing on your lunch break. While the walking score is low if you’re walking from the Union, the Storm Hall Patio would be a quick walk for our ARC staff. Be careful — there are some wobbly tiles that lowered the ambiance score.

Engineering and Interdisciplinary Sciences Courtyard

Scoring:

• Walk: 7/10
• Shade: 10/10
• Seating: 7/10 
• Ambiance: 9/10

The Engineering and Interdisciplinary Sciences Courtyard opened five years ago and is a more hidden spot for a nice lunch break. While there is lots of shade, some of the sap and pollen from the foliage has dirtied the tables and chairs, lowering the seating score and construction nearby can make this place hard to find. If you are able to find the Engineering and Interdisciplinary Sciences Courtyard, it’s a great spot for a break.

15 Questions

Nate Riebe

1. What is your name, job title and major?

2. Hello! My name is Nate Riebe. I am a Graphics Assistant for A.S. and am majoring in graphic design.

3. Which A.S. department do you work in?

4. I work in Business Services as a Graphics Assistant. I help in creating posters and advertisements for A.S. events and programs.

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

6. Six months.

7. What is your favorite part of working for A.S.?

8. I have never worked in a graphic design position before, so it has been a really nice experience getting to learn and adapt to something new. My co-workers have also been super helpful in helping me learn the ropes of the job and making me feel welcome.

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

10. The last movie I saw was “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” I hadn’t seen any of the other “Planet of the Ape” movies before, and I was surprised by how good it was.

11. There is a free, round-trip shuttle to Mars. The catch: it will take one year of your life to go, visit, and come back. Are you in?

12. I’m probably not in, just because I feel like there wouldn’t be much to do on Mars. I wouldn’t want to waste an entire year just to see a lot of red rock even though it would be cool to be one of the first people there.

13. If you had to move to another country, which one would you choose?

14. Unfortunately, I have never left the country, but I think I would like to live in countries like Japan or Australia where they have a good mix of beautiful nature and really cool cities.

15. What is your favorite book? 

16. Sadly, I haven’t gotten around to reading recently, but when I was younger, I was obsessed with the Percy Jackson series. I think more recently one of my favorites is “The Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger because it had a very impactful message to me.

17. If you could start a charity, what would it be for?

18. If I could start a charity, I would want it to be for saving endangered animals and helping to regrow their populations. I have always loved animals and I think with more issues like global warming occurring, there would be a need for more help.

19. Do you like to cook and what is your specialty?

20. One of my newer goals is to get better at cooking and so recently I have been learning how to cook new things. I think my favorite thing I have made so far is fettuccine alfredo with Cajun chicken.

21. If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go?

22. I would go forward in time — I think seeing all the new types of technology and how the world has changed would be super interesting.

23. "Most people don't know that I like to...

24. …go camping. I was a boy scout for a long time and have probably gone on enough camping trips to make up a year of my life. I love seeing nature and connecting with other people and camping is one of the best ways to do that.”

25. Would you rather speak all languages or be able to talk with animals?

26. I would rather be able to talk with animals. I have always wanted to know what my pets are thinking and feeling. Also, some animals like tortoises can live for over 200 years and I think it would be fascinating to speak with them.

27. What type of pets do you have and what are their names?

28. My family and I have a beagle named Bandit. 
    
    

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

30. The best concert I’ve been to was a Tyler the Creator concert about two years ago at Pechanga Arena. I really enjoyed it because Tyler is one of my favorite artists and he is an amazing performer.