SDSU Alumni’s ‘Next Great Chapter’

In December, Assistant Vice President of SDSU Alumni Jim Herrick retired after 37 years with the university. Here’s an introduction to the new executive director in her own words.

By Stephanie Dathe

This story was published in the Summer 2023 Issue of SDSU Magazine.

Stephanie Dathe, ’95 Executive director, SDSU Alumni. Photograph by Rachel Crawford.

In December, Assistant Vice President of SDSU Alumni Jim Herrick retired after 37 years with the university. He started his career in San Diego State University athletics and transitioned to alumni relations as the interim director in 1998, making the move permanent the next year. After Herrick’s departure, Stephanie Dathe stepped into the role. The SDSU alumna had served as the director of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union for SDSU Associated Students since 2016. Here’s an introduction to the new SDSU Alumni executive director in her own words.

When I graduated from San Diego State University in 1995, SDSU Alumni used the slogan “Everyone Benefits.” I have always liked that because it reinforces the concept that SDSU Alumni has something for everyone. The tagline has an even deeper meaning for me because this organization, and the SDSU community, have supported me throughout my personal and professional life. I have truly benefited from being an Aztec for Life.

Over the years, it has been very important to me to give back to SDSU. But it was when I returned to campus a decade ago that I truly understood the impact that alumni have. Working closely with students who have directly benefited from the support, whether through mentoring, internships or scholarships, I witnessed and experienced the transformational power of being a member of the SDSU community. It is a membership for which I am both extremely grateful and proud.

Part of our mission here at SDSU Alumni is to “instill the principle of Aztec for Life by celebrating the achievements of our alumni.” We are finding new and different ways of engaging and celebrating our alumni, including a new Class Notes page on our website where we encourage alumni to share their SDSU stories. With more than 478,000 alumni around the globe, I feel great pride when I am out and about and see a fellow Aztec sporting an SDSU T-shirt or proudly displaying an SDSU license plate frame. Don’t be surprised if an SDSU Alumni team member spots you in the community showing off your Aztec pride and hands you a little giveaway.

I am honored to be a part of SDSU's next great chapter. It is a tremendous privilege to be the executive director of SDSU Alumni, and I look forward to engaging with you!