Student Life

Coffee, pho, syllabus: Students offer peers advice on living the Gator life

Matt Itelson — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 14:39:00 +0000

Coffee, pho, syllabus: Students offer peers advice on living the Gator life

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

August 21, 2024

Through two peer mentor programs, students help students connect, learn and thrive

Whether you’re new or returning to San Francisco State University, you have access to a variety of resources, the most valuable being your peers. Students in San Francisco State’s Peer2Peer Mentor Collective and First-Year Experience (FYE) Peer Mentor program have a wealth of advice to offer on the key to balancing a college career and city living.

The mentors are continuing students who meet regularly with new students, most often virtually. In the Peer2Peer Mentor Collective, students text each other most frequently, while the FYE students most frequently meet in person.

Kenya Bravo, an SF State student and FYE peer mentor, emphasizes the importance of keeping your life organized. She says students should use a planner (or a calendar or reminder app on their smartphone) to keep track of tasks, events and activities. Bravo also recommends reading the class syllabus as early as possible.

“Not every professor is going to go over the syllabus,” she said. “It’ll tell you a lot of things you’d want to know, like dates for assignments and your grade breakdown.” To save money, she adds, students may be able to find free digital versions of textbooks.

On the first day of classes, student mentor Rishika Patel likes to arrive to the classroom 10 minutes early. “You can pick out your seating, you can meet other students in the class and prepare yourself before the professor starts lecturing or explaining the syllabus,” she said.

Even if you already know your way around the 144-acre campus, new discoveries await around the corner. SF State is home to more than 60 student resources and more than 200 student organizations. Student mentor Alpana Kallianpur suggests getting acquainted with where resources are located. “It’s important to know what you have available around you,” Kallianpur said.

Student mentor Dylan Gillespie notes that the Student Services building is a central location for in-person assistance from Admissions, Financial Aid, the Registrar’s and Bursar’s offices, One Card, Student Engagement and Transition, Student Support Services, Disability Programs and Resource Center, and Veterans Services. The building is also home to the Dream Resource Center, Educational Opportunity Program, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Diversity, Student Equity and Interfaith Programs. The centers for Undergraduate Advising and Career and Leadership Development are in the Administration building.

“They’re all extra support — here to support you,” Gillespie said.

Sometimes, finding a coffee on campus or the best pho in the Bay Area might be your priority. When student mentor Isabella Sofia Ceja arrives on campus, she grabs a boba drink from Quickly outside of the Cesar Chavez Student Center. When she needs a recharge, she goes to Cafe Rosso for a cup of coffee and a bagel stuffed with bacon, eggs and cheese. When she is ready to leave campus, she takes the bus to Kevin’s Noodle House in Daly City. It’s only a 10-minute ride from the SFSU campus.

“The Bay Area weather always puts me in the mood for pho,” Ceja said.

Patel’s final piece of advice is something that students have been doing since kindergarten: “Make friends in every class that you have.”

Students can sign up online to find a Peer2Peer mentor or become one themselves. Visit the Peer2Peer Mentor Collective web page to learn more and get involved.

Learn more about the FYE Peer Mentor Program.

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SFSU earns prestigious Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to Latinx students

Kent Bravo — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:37:38 +0000

SFSU earns prestigious Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to Latinx students

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

October 1, 2024

The seal recognizes SFSU for its leadership in meeting needs of Latinx students, advancing their talents

SAN FRANCISCO (October 1, 2024) – San Francisco State University has earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia granted by Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education. The Seal is a national certification for institutions that strive to more intentionally serve Latinx students.

San Francisco State is one of 17 colleges and universities to earn the Seal in 2024. In 2018, Excelencia introduced the Seal to certify trendsetting colleges and universities for their efforts to become learning environments where Latinx, and all, students thrive. This year marks the organization’s 20th year of service to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education.

The Seal of Excelencia framework represents a rigorous assessment of certified institutions’ intentionality and impact. It assesses the institutions’ outcomes in retention, financial support and degree completion for Latinx students through the alignment of data, practice and leadership. Seal certification remains valid for three years, after which institutions can recertify progress.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Seal of Excelencia for our steadfast commitment to advancing the talents of Latinx students,” SFSU President Lynn Mahoney said. “Here at SF State, we understand the importance of providing an environment where students’ identities are celebrated and represented in their education. Earning the Seal reflects that.”

This year’s cohort of newly certified and recertified institutions belongs to a collective of 46 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal. Together, they represent less than 1% of all institutions but enroll 17% and graduate 19% of all Latinx students nationwide.

Specifically at SFSU, Latinx student enrollment doubled between 2010 and 2022. More than 39% of students identify as Latinx, making them the largest ethnic group among the University’s undergraduates.

“The colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia lead the charge in meeting our nation’s degree attainment goals,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia of Education. “They demonstrate commitment to Latino student success through impact and ongoing self-assessment.”

Higher education, business, philanthropy and government leaders in Excelencia’s community convened in Washington, D.C., to recognize SFSU as one of eight institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia for the first time, as well as nine other institutions that earned recertification. The announcement was part of the organization’s National Policy Forum, focused on innovating policies to accelerate Latinx degree attainment and strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. The 17 Seal-certified institutions exemplify the kinds of programs and practices that inform good policy.

Before SFSU earned the Seal of Excelencia, President Mahoney joined Excelencia’s national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS). The network comprises over 200 higher education leaders committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latinx, and all, students thrive. Institutions in the P4LSS network are eligible to apply for the Seal. To earn the Seal of Excelencia, they must demonstrate:

An intentional, institutional focus on advancing Latinx student success by aligning data and practice
Deliberate and ongoing assessment to identify and implement strategies that improve Latinx student achievement
Leadership commitment to continue transforming into an environment where Latinx students thrive
A long-term and unwavering commitment to intentionally serve Latinx, and all, students.

For example, SFSU is conducting targeted outreach efforts aimed at bolstering retention and degree completion rates among Latinx students. Much of this work is part of the California State University’s Equity Priority directives, which aim to eliminate equity gaps. Re-enrollment and re-engagement campaigns are also a priority with cross-campus units working to help our Latinx students who have dropped out return.

“Students and families as well as leaders in philanthropy, business and government look to colleges and universities that earned the Seal of Excelencia when making their institutional choices,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. “Excelencia is proud to partner with institutions ensuring America’s bright future by advancing the talents of the Latino community.”

Interested in becoming a San Francisco State University student? Apply now!

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About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. More than 22,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its approximately 294,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,800 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

About Excelencia in Education

Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, informing educational policies with a Latino lens and advancing evidence-based practices. In 2024, Excelencia marks 20 years of commitment to Latino student success. For more information, visit EdExcelencia.org.

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SFSU celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, art events

Steve Hockensmith — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 21:39:59 +0000

SFSU celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, art events

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

September 24, 2024

Photo Credit: Danza Xitlalli de San Francisco, a group of alumni danzantes (folk dancers specializing in Indigenous Mexican culture), perform on campus for National Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022.

The festivities will take place across campus through mid-October

San Francisco State University kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) last week with a music- and food-filled party at Malcolm X Plaza and rock-climbing and art events at the Mashouf Wellness Center. The celebration continues for the next three weeks with events across campus.

“Each part of America Latina creates a beauty that is diverse in culture, art, dance and food, to name a few,” said Emmanuel Padilla, director of San Francisco State’s Latinx Student Center. “Latinx Heritage Month reminds us of that beauty and centers us in the present.”

Padilla helped SF State launch the Latinx Student Center at the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month two years ago. Today the center — located in Village C, room 140 — offers workshops, study and meeting spaces, free printing, an open kitchen, a community library and more.

Padilla teamed up with partners across campus to create a mix of National Hispanic Heritage Month events running from now through Oct. 9. For location updates, keep an eye on the Latinx Student Center on Instagram.

Monday, Sept. 30
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Showcase and Resources: Artists, Food and Culture of Hispanix
Educational Opportunity & Pathway Programs and Student Support Services–Trio offices, SSB 201

Tuesday, Oct. 1
Noon – 2 p.m.
Anti-Worry Doll-Making Workshop
LIB 121

Wednesday, Oct. 2
Noon – 2 p.m.
Rise Beyond Borders: Undocumented Student Month Kickoff
Malcolm X Plaza

Wednesday, Oct. 2
6 – 8 p.m.
Latinxa/o/x Film Club Screening
Location TBD

Tuesday, Oct. 8
1 – 2 p.m.
Lotería with Project Connect
Location TBD

Wednesday, Oct. 9
Noon – 2 p.m.
Peso Pluma Listening Party
University Club (Cesar Chavez Student Center)

Wednesday, Oct. 9
12:30 – 1:45 p.m., 2 – 3:15 p.m.
Salvadoran Women’s Poetry Reading
Location TBD

Want to know more?

Learn about SFSU’s Latinx Student Center or send questions to emmanuelpadilla@sfsu.edu.

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SFSU and San Francisco Federal Credit Union team up to enhance student programming and campus life

Kent Bravo — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:24:09 +0000

SFSU and San Francisco Federal Credit Union team up to enhance student programming and campus life

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

September 18, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO (Sept. 18, 2024) – San Francisco State University (SFSU) and San Francisco Federal Credit Union (SFFedCU), a not-for-profit financial cooperative that serves San Francisco and San Mateo counties, have teamed up as part of a strategic collaboration to enhance the programs and services offered to students and campus employees.

Through this partnership, SFFedCU will have access to a menu of sponsorship opportunities across various SFSU activities, including programming and events organized by Gator Athletics, the University’s athletics arm. Funding from the sponsorship will bolster athletic operations, scholarships, financial education programs for students and employees, as well as University fundraising priorities like enhanced career preparedness programming.

“It made perfect sense for us to work with the San Francisco Federal Credit Union as its core values closely align with ours,” SFSU Vice President of University Advancement and San Francisco State Foundation President Jeff Jackanicz said. “The credit union has a strong commitment to diversity and upward economic mobility, and deeply cares about the communities which they serve — values the University also stands by.”

Funding from SFFedCU sponsorships will support student-athletes and their success through scholarship opportunities and provide resources for Gator Athletics’ general operations and programming.

“This collaboration is based on a shared dedication to bettering our communities through accessible financial literacy and economic preparedness programs,” said SFFedCU interim CEO Ray Shams. “By partnering with SFSU, we can fund activities that will resonate with students and university employees and have widespread impact.”

“Our student-athletes invest in themselves and in the University through both their sports and academics. We are thankful that the San Francisco Federal Credit Union has taken notice and wants to invest in furthering that success,” SFSU Interim Director of Athletics Brandon Davis said. “The credit union’s support will allow our student-athletes’ performance in the classroom and in their respective sports to reach new heights.”

Specific ways the partnership will benefit the campus community also include:

SFFedCU will offer online and in-person financial education programming to complement what the university already offers.
SFFedCU’s Foundation will provide annual support to scholarships, including the Presidential Scholars Program.
Funding from the sponsorship will also support the University’s overall fundraising priorities, such as enhanced career preparation programming for students.

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About San Francisco State University

About the San Francisco Federal Credit Union

About San Francisco Federal Credit Union San Francisco Federal Credit Union has been serving San Francisco since 1954 and is not-for-profit and member owned. Anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in San Francisco or San Mateo counties is eligible for membership. San Francisco Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and is an Equal Housing Lender. We provide banking, lending and investment services to nearly 47,000 members and have assets of $1.3 billion. For more information, visit SanFranciscoFCU.com.

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