PURPOSE

Our purpose is to create a community for black students to feel seen and heard whilst always advocating for themselves in each and every space that they are a part of. We want the Black Affinity Group to allow black students to have a sense of belonging and being able to create bonds that they will cherish. Students will be able to explore black culture and create their own definition of Black Excellence while gaining awareness of their own personal identity.

HISTORY & ADVISORS

Started in 2016. Advisors: Dr. Stephanie Morawo, Janae Ross, and Dr. Anwar Cruter

PAST EVENTS

Being Black at SDSU, Barbershop Talk, Beauty Shop Talk, Black Love, My Culture Your Costume

APIDA is a pan-ethnic classification that stands for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American. This term ultimately includes all people of Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander ancestry who trace their origins to the countries, states, jurisdictions and/or the diasporic communities of these geographic regions.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the REO APIDA Affinity Group is to provide a safe and brave space for students who identify as Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Amercians to share their cultures, values, and what it truly means to form a close-knit community which is one of the many hallmarks of the numerous and eclectic cultures that make up APIDA community as a whole.  As an APIDA community, we band together to support one another, to discuss topics that affect all of our communities, and as a social and academic support for APIDA identifying students here at SDSU. To support SDSU's designation as an AANAPISI-Eligible Institution and in conjunction with the SDSU APIDA Center and the Residential Education Office's Learning Communities, the REO APIDA Affinity Group is another once and a lifetime opportunity for students living on-campus to network, learn, explore, and create long term relationships with students who share their own cultures, values, perspectives and lived experiences that they will carry for the rest of their lives!

ADVISORS

Advisor(s): Ryan Gesmundo, Sam Blair, Tyler Lum

PAST EVENTS

Game Night and Asian Snacks, Boba Drinks and Movie Night, APIDA Dinner and Discussions

PURPOSE

 The purpose of the Latinx Affinity group is to hold space for students to explore, celebrate, and gain awareness about their Latinx identity, or identities. With an intersectional approach, the goal is to foster community amongst Latinx individuals, as well as gain awareness of communities around them. This is developed through programming community events, group meetings, and exploration of SDSU and the larger San Diego Community.

HISTORY & ADVISORS

Developed in 2019. Advisor(s) are Victor Ceballos-Delgado, Jamie Avila, Ben Mendoza, Jarred Pelayo

PAST EVENTS

Día de los Muertos, Café con Chisme Saga

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Students will be able to provide / create a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ residents through intentional and holistic community building events and strategies

• Students will be able to recognize opportunities for collaboration with community and on-campus resource centers, including identity centers to identify gaps in services or support for the community

• Students will be able reflect on their identities as it relates to the LGBTQIA+ community, how those intersectional identities interact, and therefore, celebrate their intersectional identities

• Students will be able to challenge obstacles in their identity experiences through community support; overcome challenges that impact the LGBTQIA+ community

WHAT IS FIRST GEN?

If you are the first person in your immediate family to attend college, you are a first-generation student.

PURPOSE

The Residential Education Office First Generation Affinity Group empowers first-generation college students through comprehensive support, resources, and a strong community network. We ensure their academic, personal, and professional success. With a commitment to equal opportunities, we equip students with tools to overcome unique challenges. Our inclusive support group fosters connections, lifelong relationships, and a sense of belonging.

Tailored resources include personalized academic guidance, impactful mentorship programs, and dynamic career development workshops. Addressing specific needs, we navigate the college landscape effectively. Celebrating diversity, we promote inclusivity and empower students through shared experiences, personal growth, and professional development. Together, we break barriers, celebrate triumphs, and inspire future generations of first-generation college students. 

HISTORY & ADVISORS

Advisor is Mando Zaragoza

PAST EVENTS

Kahoot Night, National First-Generation College Celebration Day

PURPOSE

The purpose of the International Student Affinity group is to provide international student-identifying residents and student leaders with an environment where they can create community, develop friendship, share culture, and exchange experiences that will empower each other as they navigate living and studying in San Diego.

HISTORY & ADVISORS

Established in 2023. Advisor(s) Alexa Girouard, Kevin Rush, and Kylee Webster

GOALS

• To support international student mental health by creating a space within campus housing where students can create a community of friendship and support.

• To encourage the sharing of experiences and knowledge to empower one another on topics such as navigating American culture, academic strategies, employment search, campus and community resources, etc.

• To intentionally promote connections among international students who will be staying on campus during university breaks and major U.S. holidays, to address the common feelings of loneliness and heightened homesickness during those periods.

• To provide opportunities where residents can share and partake on one another’s culture in a relaxed and fun environment through recurring meetings and events. 

• To cater a space where international students can ask questions on life as a student in the United States without the fear of judgment.