Meet Your Leaders

San Diego State University's new Associated Students executives are ready to lead.

The team of five is dedicated to enhancing the Aztec Experience for all students through a number of initiatives aimed at increasing student engagement and achievement.  

Name: Blaire Ward
Major: Communication
Title: A.S. President
Other SDSU affiliations: Pi Beta Phi, Rotaract

1. Why did you get involved with A.S.?

Initially, I got involved with A.S. because I wanted to become a part of the SDSU community as soon as possible and surround myself with people who made me want to be a better person. When I learned how much of a positive impact student leaders can have when they come together to serve their university, I stuck with it. I believed in the A.S. vision and wanted to be an important part of why our university thrives.

2. What’s your favorite thing about being an A.S. executive?

A.S. has given me so much. Any time I am a part of a positive change on this campus, I feel blessed. I was raised in A.S., so my leadership is a product of many wonderful mentors before me and the student leaders who surround me today. I am proud to be the face of our organization and to represent our student body. I like being a resource for all students when they have a concern and I am honored that I can be a person to reassure them that their voice is heard.

3. What are your goals for the year?

My job is to support the team in their goals and help get their goals accomplished. One way I will do this is by facilitating the development of a strategic plan that will allow us to track our organization’s progress and stay on track. I pride myself on the ability to effectively communicate with our administration on behalf of the student body and collaborate on many projects with the intent of making our university the best it can be. My personal goals are to promote student involvement because I believe co-curricular involvement is essential to a transformational experience for all students. I am also focusing on enhancing auxiliary engagement through the Aztec Mentor Program.

4. What’s the best thing about being an Aztec?

The supportive environment we have here is phenomenal. This university is student-focused. Our strong shared governance with administration cannot be matched anywhere else. This creates an environment of innovation, collaboration, and diversity that provides endless opportunities and a significant sense of empowerment that sets all students up for success.

Name: Leo Carrillo III
Major: Communication
Title: A.S. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Associated Students
Other SDSU affiliations: Phi Kappa Theta, Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), Entrepreneur Society

1. Why did you get involved with A.S.?

My second year of college, when I was working for the SDSU Police Department, I was very passionate about increasing awareness about Safety Escort Services and I wanted to find a bigger outlet to reach as many students on campus as possible. I wanted to ensure that students were able to get around campus safely at all times of the day. One of my mentors advised me to run for A.S. student support commission representative to ensure that students were aware of the services offered all over campus. I ran for the position and was elected. I love working with the incredible people involved in A.S. and appreciate the passion that everyone has to make a difference on campus.

2. What’s your favorite thing about being an A.S. executive?

Having the opportunity to work with my peers and make a positive impact at SDSU. I'm very passionate about leadership and empowering students to get involved on campus to make the most of their college experience.

3. What are your goals for the year?

I'm excited to collaborate with students, athletics, alumni and the surrounding community to encourage Aztec pride and participation on and around campus.

4. What’s the best thing about being an Aztec?

The best thing about being an Aztec is the experience, the people and opportunities that SDSU has to offer. Our education is top tier and I truly believe leadership does start here. The opportunities available to take various leadership roles to collaborate, exchange ideas and grow as an individual and as a leader are endless at SDSU.

Name: Tyler Aguilar
Major: Marketing Communications
Title: A.S. Vice President of External Relations & Chief Communications Officer
Other SDSU affiliations: Phi Kappa Theta, Rotaract Club, FratMANers, Students for Healthy Living

1. Why did you get involved with A.S.?

When I stepped on campus I knew I wanted to make an impact in some way. I didn't really know where to go, until one day I decided to just walk into the A.S. office and get involved. I got involved with two boards, one being External Relations board. I guess you can say I fell in love with A.S. at my first meeting.

2. What’s your favorite thing about being an A.S. executive?

My favorite part about being an A.S. executive officer is the people I get to work with — my fellow teammates, and most importantly, the students who are dedicated to serving their peers. It is amazing to see so many student volunteers give up their time to put on events for students, provide key student services and amplify the student voice on a daily basis. These student leaders understand what the word "service" means, and understand the importance of experience outside of the classroom to student success.

3. What are your goals for the year?

Collectively our team has an extensive vision for the year and for the student body. I really want to key in on educating students about the entire California State University system. Here in San Diego, we are SDSU but to Governor Jerry Brown and our State Legislature, we are a California State University. I think it's important for students to understand that above all, we are one collective system. We are a system with 3 million alumni, and more than 450,000 students are currently enrolled in CSU schools. Those numbers can make real change. We can be the ones who make sure tuition stays affordable, and we are the students that can stand up for social equity and justice among all students of all backgrounds.

4. What’s the best thing about being an Aztec?

The school pride. I chose this school not only because of its prestige but the legacy that others have created and left behind for future generations of Aztecs. I've heard our basketball team is pretty good, too.

Name: Dominic Bilotti
Major: Business Administration-Finance
Title: A.S. Vice President of Financial Affairs
Other SDSU affiliations: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, SDSU Rotaract, Finance and Investment Society, FratMANers, Weber Honors College

1. Why did you get involved with A.S.?

My sophomore year, I was approached by two of my mentors who were College of Business Representatives. They sold me on A.S. and all of the great things that it does for students on campus. I decided to run for the position that they held and won. I appreciate the opportunity to serve students in student government.

2. What’s your favorite thing about being an A.S. executive?

The most gratifying part of being an A.S. executive is being surrounded by people who have a passion for helping students and who push me to be a better leader every day. This allows me and the other executive officers to empower other students on campus to get involved and leave their own legacy on our campus.

3. What are your goals for the year?

I plan to build on our past success in the Aztecs Rock Hunger food drive. Last year we were able to collect 304,000 pounds of food and we are looking to surpass that this fall, from Oct. 22 to Nov. 15.  I also want to continue to make funds more accessible to student organizations and ensure that more student organizations apply for funding than in years past.

4. What’s the best thing about being an Aztec?

Nowhere else in the country are you able to get such a well-rounded and fulfilling college experience than at SDSU. From our top 100 public school ranking to being in the top 5 of most applied to public schools in the nation,  being an Aztec has never been better.

Name: Andrea Byrd
Major: Advertising
Title: A.S. Vice President of University Affairs
Other SDSU affiliations: Afrikan Student Union, Alpha Kappa Psi, KCR College Radio

1. Why did you get involved with A.S.?

I got involved with A.S. because I want to leave a legacy. My college experience has been transformational as a result of past students’ accomplishments. Getting involved with A.S. is my way to pay it forward to future generations of college students. What students have been able to accomplish on campus is extraordinary. I hope to come back to SDSU years from now to see that what my team and I started this year left a lasting impact.

2. What’s your favorite thing about being an A.S. executive?

My favorite thing about being an A.S. executive officer is the many different hats I get to wear on a daily basis. I have the opportunity to be a team member, a policy maker, an advocate for my peers, a young professional, a friend, a student and a company executive all in one role.

3. What are your goals for the year?

Of the many goals I have for this year, my main goal is to further develop the relationship between students and their college councils. The college councils are comprised of all of the academic/major-related student organizations on campus. I think is important for students to get plugged-in to these organizations to better prepare them for the professional world after college. College councils provide students with resources and hands-on learning experiences they cannot necessarily get inside of the classroom.

4. What’s the best thing about being an Aztec?

I can talk for hours about all of the amazing people I have met during my journey at SDSU, but one of the best things about being an Aztec is all of the resources available to students. From Career Services, to college councils, to study abroad programs and scholarships, I appreciate the university’s effort to ensure each student has the opportunity to get the most out of their college experience. SDSU truly sets its students up for success and I can’t imagine calling another university my home.