Associated Students Staff Newsletter

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

April marks the annual Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month at San Diego State University and coincides with 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 (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.

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.

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.

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!