Katarina “Kat” Hernandez, A.S. President
What was your favorite memory in the past year?
My favorite memory this past year was the Executive Officer Bonding Retreat.
I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.
Versatility. I challenged myself to prioritize different organizations along with my role, and truly grew as a person. Growing as a person has also allowed my organizations to grow and learn.
If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…
Gracious, significant and colorful.
What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?
The most important thing I learned in A.S. was how to be intentional about decisions, how to approach team dynamics, and how to delegate tasks to be valuable for others.
What are your future plans?
I am pursuing a career in politics, so I will be working as a Field Representative in the California State Assembly, representing my district in San Diego, which is approximately 505,208 people. I will be working on a Master’s in Public Administration - Criminal Justice Administration.
Tajuddin Henry, A.S. Executive Vice President
What was your favorite memory in the past year?
My favorite memory from the past year was growing closer to my fellow A.S. leaders. Whether through long planning sessions, shared challenges or simply celebrating our wins together, those relationships became one of the most meaningful parts of my experience. The camaraderie, support and laughter we shared reminded me that leadership is just as much about the people you serve with as it is about the work you do.
I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.
I am most proud of myself for standardizing transition documents across our various boards, committees and commissions. No matter the goal set, I was determined to leave A.S. in a better place than when I joined it. I'm excited about the future A.S. leaders will now have access to clearer, more consistent resources that will help them understand their roles, avoid common pitfalls and build upon the work of those who came before them. This initiative supports sustainability and continuity within our organization and empowers new leaders to start strong and lead confidently from day one. It’s a legacy of structure, clarity and intentionality that I’m proud to leave behind.
If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…
Impactful. Challenging. Transformative.
What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?
One thing I learned in A.S. is the importance of strategic and collaborative leadership. Actual progress happens when you listen intentionally, empower others, plan and create space for diverse voices to lead. I’ll carry that with me in every professional and personal setting.
What are your future plans?
After completing my undergraduate degrees, I plan to pursue a Doctorate in Public Policy. In the long term, I hope to serve in roles that allow me to shape inclusive and holistic environments and advocate for underrepresented communities across the U.S.
Derrick Herrera, A.S. Vice President of External Relations
What was your favorite memory in the past year?
My favorite memory was seeing all of the council members grow every week throughout the year.
I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.
I am most proud of myself for having a robust Rock the Vote campaign during my term.
If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…
Fast-paced, impactful and heartwarming.
What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?
I learned how important it is to delegate responsibility, recognizing that you do not have to do everything alone. This, in turn, empowers the future generation of learners and leaders to take on a role like this.
What are your future plans?
I plan to continue pursuing my Master's in Public Administration at SDSU and serve as the Cal State Student Association (CSSA) Vice President of Legislative Affairs, advocating for nearly 500,000 students.
Vincent Lin, A.S. Vice President of Financial Affairs
What was your favorite memory in the past year?
My favorite memory was the A.S. Retreat and meeting all the A.S. leaders for the first time.
I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.
I am most proud of myself for reaching that one million dollar mark for Aztecs Rock Hunger.
If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…
Intriguing, turbulent and rewarding.
What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?
How to be a better leader — having the chance to learn from the GAO staff and my fellow students was something I really cherished and I want to take what I learned from them and bring it into my future endeavors.
What are your future plans?
I plan on finishing my degree and start looking to take my Chartered Financial Analyst Exam.
Trinity Dang, A.S. Vice President of University Affairs
What was your favorite memory in the past year?
My favorite A.S. memory is Fall Retreat!
I am most proud of myself for accomplishing _____ during my term.
I am most proud of myself for accomplishing a passed resolution to adopt the Academic Partnership Agreement during my term.
If I had to describe my term in 3 words it would be…
Successful, worthwhile and revolutionary.
What is one thing you learned in A.S. that you will take into your future endeavors?
I have learned how to see the larger impacts of decisions made and thinking about others' perspectives when making those decisions.
What are your future plans?
My future plans include attending law school at Suffolk Law in Boston, this August!
