SDSU Engineering Council wins Outstanding College Council award

The College of Engineering Student Council (CESC) at San Diego State University was named Outstanding College Council in November by a regional student group.

The National Association of Engineering Student Councils (NAESC) recognized the organization in the large council category at its annual West Conference Nov. 15-16 at Oregon State University in Corvallis. SDSU is among 11 universities in the NAESC West region, with others in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon and Hawaii.

Naomi Chuang is the current president of the CESC, which acts as the voice of more than 3,470 undergraduate engineering students. The group meets weekly, and recently established a new officer’s position for academic affairs that has been praised by college leadership. Among many other activities, it also offers a mentoring program and senior banquet.

Across the SDSU campus the engineering council is probably best known for its e-waste recycling week and an annual pre-Halloween pumpkin drop. It is one of the leading participants in Associated Students’ Aztecs Rock Hunger fundraising drive.

The council also prides itself for inclusivity and engagement in a traditionally male-dominated field. This year its executive council is evenly split between men and women.  It has received the “Outstanding College Council Award” at the annual Aztec Achievement Awards for two years running.

The council “has really made me learn soft skills that I feel like are not always appreciated in a technical field,” Chuang wrote in response to a request for comment. “Being part of CESC has made me feel like I do belong in this major and am capable of becoming an engineer.”

College of Engineering Dean Eugene Olevsky  said the council’s recognition with the award “is a testament to its innovative leadership and dedication to fostering academic success.”

“By creating the Vice President of Academic Affairs position, the council demonstrated a proactive approach to addressing critical student concerns,” Olevsky wrote. “This role has become instrumental in amplifying the voice of the student body, ensuring their perspectives are heard and acted upon.

Olevsky added: “One of the key achievements of the VP of Academic Affairs has been resolving class scheduling challenges, a long-standing issue that impacts students' ability to progress efficiently through their degree programs. Through collaboration with faculty, administration, and academic departments, the council has implemented solutions that optimize course availability and reduce scheduling conflicts. These efforts directly contribute to enhancing students' academic experiences, improving retention, and supporting timely graduation.”