October 2026 - A.S. Staff Newsletter

Director’s Message: A.S. President Milan Rawls

Dear A.S. Staff,

I cannot express enough how grateful I am for each of you and for the journey that has brought me to this position. Since my first day in the office as Executive Vice President last year, I have been welcomed with smiles, support and a consistent willingness to lend a helping hand. As I transitioned into my presidency, I did so with complete confidence that this was the right place for me to continue serving, and that is because of all of you.

One of the things I have appreciated most this semester is seeing just how adaptable everyone at A.S. is. There have been plenty of moving pieces, but you continue to show up for one another and for our students. As A.S. employees, we have an opportunity to shape the student experience at SDSU, and I have seen firsthand the positive impact our staff has on the campus community.

As we move through the semester, I am excited to share some updates about our executive officer goals. We have successfully held events every Tuesday and Wednesday at the ARC Courtyard, creating more opportunities for students to connect with one another. Now that the weather has cooled down, we are seeing more students attend our events and eat from the food trucks, and the addition of new furniture has helped make the ARC Courtyard an even more welcoming space for students.

We are also continuing to strengthen our partnership with SDSU Athletics and find new ways to increase student engagement with Athletics across campus. So far, we have hosted three Athletics events at the ARC Courtyard, with three more planned for later this semester. In addition, Rock the Vote has been going strong, with weekly tabling and a fun and successful event celebrating Constitution Day. As Election Day quickly approaches, Rock the Vote will be hosting more events for students to be civically engaged. Aztecs Rock Hunger is also just around the corner, officially kicking off on Oct. 12. I am excited to see how our community comes together once again to support this important campaign.

Thank you for everything you do to support our students, our campus and one another. I am incredibly grateful to work alongside such a dedicated and adaptable team, and I look forward to everything we will accomplish together this semester.

Milan Rawls,
A.S. President

Filipinx American History Month

Filipinx American History Month (FAHM) is acknowledged at San Diego State University during the month of October to recognize the presence of Filipinos in the U.S. and celebrate the group’s heritage and culture. In 2009, Congress designated October as Filipinx History Month due to the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in Oct. 1587 in Morro Bay, California.

Last year, SDSU established an Office for AANHPISI Affairs, which aims to further elevate and amplify support for the SDSU community, including those who identify as APIDA.

The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center and the Office for AANHPISI Affairs, along with various campus partners, will be hosting a series of events. Stay tuned for updates on events and more news by visiting APIDA’s programs and events calendar.

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

Rock the Vote: Make Your Voice Heard

As we approach the midterm election on Nov. 3, it’s important to ensure all who are eligible to vote are registered and ready to make their voices heard. Voting is a vital part of civic engagement and A.S. is committed to empowering our students and staff to participate.

What is Rock the Vote?

Rock the Vote is an initiative led by A.S. to increase voter registration and civic engagement on campus. This fall, Rock the Vote will be hosting several events to raise awareness about the upcoming election and will have weekly voter registration tabling to get students registered and informed.

Register to vote by Oct. 19!

The California voter registration deadline is Oct. 19. All active registered voters in California are mailed a ballot.. If you’ve recently changed addresses or need to re-register, now is the time! Registering takes less than 5 minutes and can be done entirely online. Visit the California Online Voter Registration portal or head to the A.S. Rock the Vote website for out-of-state voter information.

Missed the deadline? You can still conditionally register and vote through Election Day!

Conditional voter registration will be available at the on-campus pollsite at the SDSU Alumni Center on Election Day, Nov. 3.

In addition, a ballot drop-off box will be available on the first floor of the Student Union near Oggi’s and the University Information Center.

Upcoming events!

Attend Register & Refresh on Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the ARC Courtyard or Oct. 19 (the registration deadline) from 12- 2 p.m. in the Student Union Courtyard. Students can register to vote, enjoy refreshments and meet the student leaders behind Rock the Vote!

If you supervise student employees, please take a moment to share this event and encourage them to stop by one of the two Register & Refresh events.

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to register, and don't forget to vote on Nov. 3!

For educational information on the upcoming election, follow us at @sdsurocksthevote on Instagram.

Aztecs Rock Hunger: Get Ready to Make an Impact

Aztecs Rock Hunger (ARH) is back soon! From Oct. 12 through Nov. 30, A.S. will bring the SDSU community together for another year of Aztecs Rock Hunger, helping fight food insecurity and support students and community members who are facing financial and food-related challenges.

For the past 15 years, Aztecs Rock Hunger has raised more than $1 million to support the SDSU Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT), A.S. Food Pantry and Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. This past academic year, ECRT assisted roughly 2,000 students and provided more than $41,000 in emergency food support to SDSU students. Additionally, ARH funds also help support the A.S. Food Pantry, which distributes an average of 110,000 pounds of food each year, including fresh produce.

This year’s campaign will feature a variety of fundraisers, events and opportunities to get involved, with a $1 donation providing two meals to an individual in need. Whether you participate in an event, volunteer, donate or simply help spread the word, there are plenty of ways for A.S. employees to get involved.

Mark your calendar for Oct. 12 and follow along throughout the campaign! Visit the Aztecs Rock Hunger website or Instagram to learn more about the campaign, find upcoming events and discover ways you can support ARH. Thank you in advance for your support in helping us rock hunger!

International Coffee Day

In honor of International Coffee Day on Oct. 1, we’re testing how well you really know your fellow colleagues. Below are some signature coffee orders from team members across the organization — can you correctly match each favorite drink with its rightful owner?

Iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso with an extra shot of espresso
Iced coffee with peppermint syrup and soy milk
Dirty chai with regular milk
Traditional double espresso macchiato
Hot chocolate. I don't drink coffee.
Black coffee with no cream or sugar

Karla Gonzales, Aztec Student Union Assistant Director of Event Operations
Mollie Estep, Viejas Arena Office Coordinator
Patty Rea, Associate Executive Director
Brandon Cespedes, Aztec Student Union Operations Supervisor
Caitlyn McFadden, A.S. Basic Needs Coordinator
Tim Ripke, Viejas Arena Director

Answer Key

Mollie Estep
Caitlyn McFadden
Karla Gonzales
Brandon Cespedes
Tim Ripke
Patty Rea

No Tricks, Just Treats: Upcoming A.S. Events for Students with Free Food

October is here, and A.S. has plenty of ways for students to get involved, have some fun and grab some free food along the way. From Homecoming celebrations and carnival treats to free refreshments and spooky festivities, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy A.S. events this month.

Check out these upcoming October events and add a few to your calendar!

Carnival Night 1

Carnival Night 1: Thursday, Oct. 1; 8p.m.-12a.m.; Campanile Walkway

Aztec Nights: Carnival is back for two unforgettable nights of classic carnival fun at SDSU! Experience the excitement of thrilling carnival rides, midway games with prizes, live music from the DJ and classic carnival treats as Campanile Walkway transforms into a vibrant festival. Enjoy free caricatures, face painting, balloon artists, the Ultimate Game Truck, a photo booth and so much more. Whether you're chasing the biggest thrills, competing for prizes or making memories with friends, Carnival is one of Aztec Nights' biggest traditions — and an event you won't want to miss.

Carnival Night 2

Carnival Night 2: Thursday, Oct. 2; 8p.m.-12a.m.; Campanile Walkway

Aztec Nights: Carnival continues for a second night of classic carnival fun! Experience thrilling carnival rides, midway games with prizes, live music from the DJ and classic carnival treats. Students can also enjoy free caricatures, face painting, balloon artists, the Ultimate Game Truck, a photo booth and more.

Trivia Night

Trivia Night: Monday, Oct. 5; 6-8p.m.; Student Union Courtyard

Think you know it all? Prove it at 2000s Trivia Night! Gather your friends, grab food and compete for glory, bragging rights and epic prizes.

Register & Refresh

Register & Refresh: Wednesday, Oct. 7; 10a.m.-1p.m.; ARC Courtyard

Fuel up with a free refreshment, register to vote and get ready to make an impact!

Sustainability Fair

Sustainability Fair: Thursday, Oct. 8; 10a.m.-2p.m.; Student Union Courtyard

Get involved in climate action and environmental justice at SDSU and beyond!

Homecoming Kick Off

Homecoming Kick Off: Monday, Oct. 12; 11a.m.-1p.m.; Student Union Courtyard

Kick off Homecoming with SDSU spirit! Join us for Homecoming Kick Off at the Student Union Courtyard from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. for a celebration packed with music, food, inflatable games and plenty of Homecoming energy. Meet the Homecoming Court, SDSU Football, Cheer, Dance and more as we come together to celebrate the start of Homecoming.

Want to make an entrance? Join the Homecoming March from the ARC to the Student Union Courtyard at 10:45 a.m., or meet us at the Courtyard when the event begins at 11 a.m.

Come ready to celebrate, grab some food, play some games and show your SDSU spirit.

Build-A-HoCo-Buddy

Build-A-HoCo-Buddy: Tuesday, Oct. 13; 2-4p.m.; Student Union Courtyard

Show your State spirit and build your very own Homecoming buddy! Join us for Build-A-HoCo-Buddy from 2-4 p.m. in the Student Union Courtyard for a one-of-a-kind experience where you can create, accessorize and personalize your very own Homecoming buddy. Add a Homecoming shirt, choose fun accessories and even make a birth certificate for your new buddy!

Bring your friends, get creative and make a Homecoming buddy to celebrate the week with you.

Deco-Palooza

Deco-Palooza: Thursday, Oct. 15; 4-6p.m.; Student Union Courtyard

Get game day ready at Deco-Palooza! Join us for a pre-game celebration where you can customize your Homecoming gear with patches, airbrush designs and more. Decorate shirts, hats and signs while enjoying music, free food and plenty of State spirit.

Bring your creativity, grab your friends and get your gear game day ready!

Register & Refresh

Register & Refresh: Monday, Oct. 19; 10a.m.-2p.m.; Student Union Courtyard

Fuel up with a free refreshment, register to vote and get ready to make an impact!

Open Mic Night

Open Mic Night: Wednesday, Oct. 21; 6-8p.m.; Student Union Courtyard

Step into the spotlight at the last Open Mic Night of the semester! This recurring series showcases the talent of student performers as they take the stage in front of a live audience. Whether you're performing or just there to support your peers, come enjoy an evening of music, poetry, comedy and more in a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

Want to perform? Check @aztecunion on Instagram for the link to sign up.

Outdoor Movie Night

Outdoor Movie Night: Tuesday, Oct. 27; 6p.m. (movie begins at 6:30p.m.); Student Union Courtyard

Ready for a spooky night? Join us for an outdoor screening of Friday the 13th on Tuesday, Oct. 27 in the Student Union Courtyard! The fun starts at 6 p.m., with the movie beginning at 6:30 p.m. Come in costume for a chance to win prizes in the costume contest!

Hallo-Union

Hallo-Union: Wednesday, Oct. 28; 6-8p.m.; Student Union Courtyard

Get ready for a night of Halloween fun! Join us for games, activities, treats and more. Grab your friends, get into the Halloween spirit and come celebrate with us.

Frights & Bites

Frights & Bites: Saturday, Oct. 31; 9p.m.-1a.m.; TBD

Aztec Nights: Frights & Bites is the perfect way to celebrate spooky season with great food, music and friends! Enjoy a festive evening featuring local food trucks serving up tacos, hot dogs, grilled cheese, donuts and more while soaking in the Halloween-inspired atmosphere. Whether you're grabbing a late-night bite, hanging out with friends or making new connections, Frights & Bites offers a fun, welcoming and delicious way to experience one of Aztec Nights' favorite fall traditions.

New Employee Spotlight

Isabella Venzor

Student Union Events Planner

Hi A.S. team! My name is Isabella Venzor and I am one of the events planners within the Student Union. As I am writing this, I have been here at SDSU for three weeks and I confidently say that I have enjoyed every minute of it.

A little bit about my background is that I am from San Diego. For high school, I graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and then went to complete my undergraduate at the University of San Diego. In May of this year, I graduated from USD with my bachelors degree in finance and business administration. During my four years in college, I actually worked as a Student Scheduler within USD’s University Center, which is where I was introduced to scheduling and planning within the university space. In that position, I managed various meeting spaces, met with various academic departments and student organizations and assisted with planning events on campus. Through this experience, it inspired me to continue working within event planning for universities and come here to SDSU.

When I’m not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching movies and also reading (my favorite genres are mystery, fantasy and romance).

I am excited to be a part of Associated Students and look forward to planning events here at SDSU!

Jack Stone

Aztec Lanes Supervisor

Hi everyone! My name is Jack Stone, and I’m excited to continue my journey with Associated Students as the new Aztec Lanes Supervisor! I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of A.S. for the past year and a half, previously serving as the External Program Assistant for SDSU Adapted Athletics. It was an incredibly rewarding experience supporting the program and its athletes, especially during such an exciting time as we look ahead to the LA28 Paralympic Games!

In addition to my work with A.S., I earned both my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and my MBA in Sports Management here at SDSU. Throughout my time as a student and staff member, I’ve valued working with collaborative teams and creating opportunities for students to grow as leaders, develop professionally and make an impact on our campus community. I’m excited to continue that work at Aztec Lanes and help create an engaging and welcoming space for SDSU students and our surrounding community.

Outside of work, I love playing piano and producing music, and I’m also a big sports fan, especially basketball and baseball! I’m looking forward to this next chapter and continuing to be a part of the incredible A.S. team!

15 Questions

Brooke Howarth

Youth Programs and Events Supervisor

What is your name and title?

My name is Brooke Howarth, and I’m the Youth Programs and Events Supervisor for MBAC!
Which A.S. department do you work in? Describe your job in 25 words or less.

I work with Aztec Recreation at Mission Bay Aquatic Center. At MBAC, I supervise youth programs, like our watersports camp and seasonal activities, and coordinate events like field trips, birthday parties and corporate events.
How long have you worked for A.S.?

I joined MBAC in 2021 as a part-time marine science instructor, and over time grew into my current role, which I’ve now held for three years.
What do you like most about working for A.S.?

I love working for A.S. because of the people. I’ve built genuine relationships here, and there’s something special about being part of a team that feels supported and connected.
Do you collect anything? What do you collect and why?

I love collecting shark’s teeth! My dad taught me how to search for them at the beach when I was little, and whenever we’re at the beach together, we still look for them. My collection sits at about 30 teeth right now!
What 5 songs are at the top of your playlist?
1. “Baby Steps” - Olivia Dean
2. “Get Away” - LANY
3. “What Kinda Man” - Parker Mccollum
4. “XXL” - LANY
5. “Nice to Each Other” - Olivia Dean
What is your favorite book?

“The Guest List” by Lucy Foley. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one day!
What is your favorite national park or museum to visit? And why?

My favorite national park is Kings Canyon National Park. I grew up in Fresno, so Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia were right in our backyards. Kings Canyon just has some of the most beautiful hikes and scenery that I’ve seen.
When you visit the zoo, which animal do you make sure you see, and why?

I always make sure to stop by the hippos. Hippos are my favorite animals, and I think their size and how they move through the water is so insane! They’re powerhouses that are so graceful at the same time.
If you had to sing karaoke right now, which song would you pick? And why?

I would have to pick “Copacabana (At the Copa)” by Barry Manilow. I feel like it’s just a really fun energy that would get everyone into it, and I’ve always loved the dramatic story it tells.
What fictional family would you like to be a member of? And why?

I have ALWAYS wanted to be a part of the Thornberry family from “The Wild Thornberrys.” I loved the nature adventures they went on, how funny each family member was and who wouldn’t want the ability to talk to animals?
What is your favorite breakfast food?

I always go back between sweet and salty, but it will always have to be homemade waffles!
Most people don’t know that I like to…

take care of horses! I grew up with my grandparent’s horses, and while I haven’t found somewhere to ride yet, I spend some Sundays a month helping out a nonprofit organization take care of their horses.
If you had to move to another country, which one would you choose? And why?

I would move to Italy, no question. I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Florence with SDSU, and I fell in love with the culture, city, people, and obviously the food. I would love to go back as soon as I can!
What is one of your favorite things to do on the SDSU campus?

Even thugh I'm not on campus often, I love to take a moment by the turtle pond or the Mediterranean Garden. I loved relaxing or studying by either when I was a student, and I try to visit every time I’m on campus!