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Division of Student Affairs

Divisional Programming

2024-25

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  • End of the Year Awards (June 2025)

    In June 2025, the Office of the Vice President hosted the Student Affairs End of the Year Awards ceremony, bringing together the division to celebrate the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year and honor outstanding individual and team achievements. Awards were presented across ten distinct categories, each reflecting the diverse roles and functions within the division that contribute meaningfully to student success and the broader mission of the university. 

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  • Chats with VPSA (May 2025)

    Vice President Diaz invited staff to join her for coffee and donuts on Tuesday, May 6, between 10–11 a.m. in USU Meeting Rooms 2310 A/B. There was no formal program—just an open invitation to step away for a bit, connect with colleagues, and engage in meaningful conversation with the Vice President.

  • Strategic Planning Launch (Febrauary 2025)

    In February 2025, the Division officially launched the 2025–2030 Student Affairs Strategic Plan. This plan strengthened the Division of Student Affairs by aligning its goals with CSUSM’s Strategic Plan, The Power of Us, while adapting to the evolving landscape of higher education. By emphasizing innovation, creativity, and student-centered support, it ensured the division remained relevant and competitive.

    Shaped through collaborative engagement with students, staff, faculty, campus partners, and leadership, the plan honors our past while forging a shared vision for the future. This milestone reflected the collective efforts of our community, and we celebrated it together.

    The 2024-25 ASI executive team, Octavio Martinez, Elaine Pollard, Ashley Lizarraga, and Illeana Carmona Chavez, emceed the event. Campus partners also joined in the celebration, making it a truly collaborative occasion.

  • Divisional Wrap-Up (Decemober 2025)
    In December 2024, the Office of the Vice President hosted its annual Divisional Wrap-Up, a celebratory event designed to foster connection, reflection, and appreciation. The gathering brings staff together over a shared meal and features semester highlights, interactive games such as “The Price Is Right: Student Affairs Edition,” and dedicated time for team recognition and networking.
  • Fall Office Decorating Contest (October 2024)

    The annual Fall Office Decorating Contest theme was: "Through the Decades." Participants chose any decade—from any point in history—and transformed their offices into journeys through time. Whether it was the roaring 20s, the vibrant 70s, or even the futuristic 2000s, each office showcased its favorite era with creativity and flair.

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  • Fall Convening (August 2024)

    In August 2024, the Office of the Vice President hosted the Fall Convening. The event focused on critical topics such as fall enrollment trends, upcoming strategic initiatives, budget developments, and highlighted significant accomplishments across the division, including grant awards, recognitions, and noteworthy individual and departmental achievements. It provided a platform to celebrate collective progress while setting the tone for the academic year.

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2023-24

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2022-23

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  • Chats with VPSA

    Spring 2023

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    Fall 2022

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  • Student Affairs Annual Conference (January 2023)

    Theme: Evolving Together: The Future is Now. Dare to Reframe. Dare to Adapt. Dare to Lead with Greatness.

    Date: Thursday, January 12, 2023

    Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. 

    Location: University Student Union (USU), Ballroom

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  • Divisional Wrap-Up (December 2022)
    • Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2022
    • Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
    • Location: University Student Union (USU), Ballroom

    2022 Award Winners

    • Student Employee Service Award: Julia Glorioso, ASI President and Alliance Ambassador
    • Distinguished Friend of Student Affairs Award: Adam Petersen, Assistant Dean, Office of Undergradaute Studies
    • Individual Excellence in Student Service Award: Mae Talicuran, Assistant Director, Personalized Academic Success Services (PASS)
    • Team Excellence in Student Service Award: Reacruitment and Outreach Team
    • Innovation Award: Admissions and Registrar ITC/Analyst Team
    • Outstanding Administrative or Operational Support Award: Crystal Hernderson, Budget Analyst, Student Life
    • Outstanding New Professional Award: Kenya Avilez, Student Conduct Specialist, Dean of Students
    • Sandra R. Kuchler Employee of the Year Award: Lisa Dickinson, Associate Director, University Student Union/Interim Director, Campus Recreation

    Award Categories

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    • Student Employee Service Award
      This award recognizes a student employee during the past year who displayed exemplary potential to contribute to the field of Student Affairs. This individual consistently exceeded expectations and demonstrated a commitment to the success, mission, and goals of the division. Nominees may include CSUSM undergraduate students, graduate students or graduate students at other institutions working at CSUSM.
    • Distinguished Friend of Student Affairs Award
      This award recognizes a professional staff member, faculty member, or administrator from outside the Student Affairs Division who supported the division, contributed to our mission, or provided outstanding service to our staff and programs during the last academic year.
    • Individual Excellence in Student Service Award
      This annual award recognizes the contribution of a Student Affairs staff member who works to make the CSUSM environment a welcoming, efficient, and high-quality experience for students. The individual exemplifies the core values of CSUSM in daily interactions with students and serves as a role model for students and/or staff in Student Affairs. The individual contributes to the retention and graduation of students and provides opportunities for students to achieve their goals. Nominations by others are required (No self-nominations).
    • Team Excellence in Student Service Award
      This award recognizes the contributions of a team in developing a new program or project to meet specific outcomes in response to student needs. The new initiative has demonstrated a positive impact in achieving its desired outcomes and/or has received outstanding feedback from students who were impacted.
    • Innovation Award
      This award recognizes an individual or department that utilized a creative and collaborative approach to advance the work of Student Affairs. Nominees for this award have shown initiative to innovate and create solutions that address a service gap or operational need within their department or the Division.
    • Outstanding Administrative or Operational Support Award
      This award recognizes an individual in an administrative or operational support role who is often considered an unsung hero and whose efforts achieve success for their department, the division, and the university. This individual provides exceptional customer service to students, staff, or friends of the division and works diligently and tirelessly as an agent of change to foster a welcoming and efficient working environment. This individual consistently exceeds expectations, makes a significant contribution to the overall operations of their department, and provides a strong foundation for innovative and student-centered work.
    • Outstanding New Professional Award
      This award recognizes an individual who consistently exceeds the responsibilities of their position with professionalism, goal accomplishment, innovation, and leadership within their department and the campus community.
    • Sandra R. Kuchler Employee of the Year Award
      Presented annually since 2000, this award recognizes an individual for their long-standing contribution and dedication to CSU San Marcos as a full-time professional in the Division. The recipient continuously demonstrates pride in work, maintains professionalism, and displays a positive attitude toward responsibilities and the CSUSM community. This individual constantly provides the highest level of service to Student Affairs and the University and willingly goes the extra mile to collaboratively engage in actions that support the department, Division, and our University’s values. The recipient of this award leads by example in their day-to-day work, displays a strong personal commitment to student success, and serves as an inspiration for others on their team. The individual’s contributions directly relate to the mission and vision of the division and the University and contribute to the continued success of CSUSM.

     

  • Fall Office Decorating Contest (October 2022)

    2022 winning categories and recipients are as follows:

    • Best Overall Presentation: Dean of Students

    • Best Office Decorations: Dean of Students

    • Best Costumes: USU Administration Office

    Video Recap

  • Fall Convening (August 2022)

    This Student Affairs Fall Convening launched us into the semester by bringing us together as a division, allowing us to reflect on our successes, and share important information for the upcoming year.

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