28 Feb The Power Behind the Polls: How ASI Elections Come to Life
The 2025 Associated Students Inc. election season is in full swing, giving Cal State Fullerton students a glimpse into the upcoming legislative term for the 2025-2026 school year.
With the chance to gain leadership experience, promote change on campus and directly collaborate with campus leaders, ASI student leader alumni have gone on to work in higher education, city government, private business, Washington D.C. and more. Now, with over 45 applications, 2025 ASI elections have seen a 50% increase in candidacy applications since 2024.
This year, the voting period is on March 11-12 online and in-person on campus. Voters can gain a better understanding of the 2025 running candidates on the ASI candidacy webpage.
“Seeking an ASI position is a microcosm of real-world pathways and career development. Many of the leaders gain opportunities to have a voice with higher administration officials, allowing for the development of interpersonal skills,” said ASI Elections Director DJ Giacchino. “ASI leadership positions become a pathway for fields in the real world.”
This 1959 CSU tradition attracts students of all majors and disciplines, allowing them to mold and shape the very DNA of their campus.
“Being civically engaged is one of the most important aspects of life. As we’ve seen with our country’s current administration, it matters being able to have a voice and have a say to determine what’s going to happen to you,” said ASI President Joe Morales. “I want to encourage everybody to vote, be open-minded to joining student government and definitely take the opportunity to hear out these new candidates’ plans because getting representation matters.”
Planning for elections is an all-year effort, with March signaling another cycle for a new round of candidates.
But how did this tradition come to be? Do students truly have the authority to change their campus? Let’s take a deeper look at ASI student leader elections, tracing its evolution into the focal point of the student voice at Cal State Fullerton.
From 1959 to Now: The Evolution of ASI
A flashback of the CSUF campus in the 1970’s. / Credit: csufofficial Instagram
With affordable tuition and a wide range of majors, the Cal State System stands out for its dynamic student government, powered by the non-profit organization, Associated Students, Inc. With over 23 ASI’s all over California, ASI employs students, offers extracurricular resources, activities and gives students a voice on campus through elected student leaders. At CSUF specifically, ASI runs the Titan Student Union, the Food Pantry, the Student Recreation Center and the Children’s Center. However, this machine of an organization wasn’t born overnight.
It all started in 1959. CSUF established the Student Senate, and by 1970, it introduced college-based representation, forming the foundation of today’s ASI structure. In 1975, the Senate became a nonprofit corporation, evolving into the ASI Board. Since then, over 3,000 students have shaped the campus through ASI leadership and moved on to successful careers.
“Initially it was class-based. Yet through involving the student voice, ASI has ingrained importance in including everyone on campus, giving students the opportunity to have a voice. This is what the ASI elections are for,” said ASI Student Government Director, Rebecca Hesgard.
Now, with elections taking place every spring, this important season has evolved into a time of engagement and celebrating the spirit of democracy on campus, where students can choose the future trajectory of their campus.
“It’s important to have an organization that is by the students and for the students,” stated Giacchino. “In having leaders that represent each student’s interests, ASI’s Board and Executive Directors can implement diversity on campus colleges, advocate for issues and include all populations at CSUF.”
The Surprising Truth: It’s Not Just About Popularity!
ASI student leaders at the 2023 ASI Community Chat taking questions from the student body. / ASI CSUF Flickr
Contrary to the belief that student leaders somehow have a special connection or in with ASI, all student leaders must be elected by fellow students and campus leaders during the election cycle.
“I sought candidacy when I first transferred to CSUF. Initially, I wasn’t planning to join student government but in noticing various issues and areas that were concerning to me as a student, I decided to raise my concerns to student leadership,” said ASI’s Board of Directors Chair Gavin Ong. “Since then, I have been able to advocate for international students and marginalized communities on campus.”
In January, when ASI announces the new application round for the upcoming school year, several requirements are outlined. There are various eligibility requirements, including a candidate’s time at CSUF, cumulative GPA (2.5) and individual information regarding the separate positions.
Students interested in running for president and vice president must campaign in pairs. The remaining sixteen positions are individually elected by students, with candidates running to represent the colleges they are currently enrolled in. In 2025, there are two representative spots for each of the CSUF colleges: Arts, Business and Economics, Communications, Education, Engineering and Computer Science, Health and Human Development, Humanities and Social Sciences and Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Revolutionizing Student Elections: DJ Giacchino’s Vision
ASI’s 2025 Election Director, DJ Giacchino stands alongside other ASI employees during a Meet the Candidates rock-climbing event. / Credit: ASI Marketing
From here, an ASI Election Director is elected to oversee and facilitate the election process ranging from planning election themes and outreach for students.
This year, the 2025 ASI Elected Director is none other than DJ Giacchino, a fourth year CSUF student who has origins in working at ASI’s Student Rec Center. A Public Health major with plans to become an epidemiologist and community health advocate, his passion for mental health advocacy and understanding of the campus climate is essential to engaging students this upcoming election cycle.
“The biggest goal this season is increasing voter turnout and candidacy. I want multiple people to run for these positions with different goals and initiatives in mind,” stated Giacchino. “With a huge student population with different interests and values, I want the ASI elections to reflect the diverse body of CSUF.”
With Giacchino’s vision and his team’s support, they ensure a smooth election process and boost student participation.
When reflecting on why he ran for director this year, Giacchino stated, “It is so important that people’s voices are heard. Our main goal this year is to get a wider range of representation and involve those who normally would not seek leadership positions. We want to give everyone the opportunity that seeks it and give communities who are not typically heard, the chance to step up and have an outlet at CSUF.”
This year, Giacchino and his team have worked to make the election cycle more accessible and familiar, bridging the gap between unknown candidates and the 40,000 student population. Events like Meet the Candidates at SRC Rock Climbing, Titan Bowl and Billiards and the ASI Block Party allow students to connect with candidates and vote within their community.
Shaping Campus Life Together
ASI’s College of Health and Human Development BOD representative Jared Brown engages with a student during the Titans Turn Out event. / Credit: ASI CSUF Flickr
Once the two-day election period concludes, giving every student the chance to cast their vote, the ballots are carefully tallied.
“With ASI’s voting method, the results are determined by the popular vote. Every vote makes a difference. With just one extra vote, the outcome of the election can completely change.” emphasized Giacchino. “I would tell a student who doesn’t think their voice changes anything to vote for whoever has interests aligned with yours as they will be advocating on your behalf.”
As times change and evolve with the current state of the world, new issues and values arise for college students on campus.
This year, key issues in the election cycle include improving financial literacy and success, fostering inclusive campus spaces, strengthening DEI initiatives and improving student wellness and cultural spaces. These concerns play a crucial role in shaping the election, influencing candidates and providing a platform to explore meaningful solutions, said Hesgard.
“The biggest way to make change on campus is to involve yourself. It’s easy to want immediate improvement on campus, but the best way to make that happen is to participate in this election,” said Giacchino. “Even if you’re not interested in politics, the skills you harbor from student government translate to advocacy and professionalism for the real world.”
ASI student leaders at the 2024 CSUF Discover Fest. / ASI CSUF Flickr
The election cycle also gives candidates opportunities to engage with key campus leaders, including President Rochon and Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs, Amir Dabirian and even campus faculty.
“As part of the ECS department board, we regularly met with the Dean to discuss student concerns, ensuring that students’ voices are heard,” said ASI College of Engineering and Computer Science BOD representative Kavil Jain. “One of our recent initiatives was organizing the International Alumni Mixer and advocating for access to Coursera, so students can benefit from a broader range of learning resources and enhance their skills.”
At the end of it all, ASI Elections really do embody ASI’s main values: “for the students, by the students.” From its origins, conception and execution, ASI elections are a student-run initiative with the student voice compassing its direction.
Winning the Vote is Just the Start
ASI’s Board of Directors Chair Vice President talking to an ASI Staff member. / ASI CSIF Flickr
A passionate and promising student leader has been elected…now what? After elections are counted and students are notified, student leaders are not suddenly thrown into leadership. Rather, ASI carefully and intentionally preps each leader for service.
The legislative branch of ASI (BOD) elects their board chair, vice chair, treasurer and secretary to lead and guide the governance of that board. The president and vice president are then responsible to hire out their cabinet, officers and advocacy commissions. These positions are application-based and open after the elections are over.
Once elected, candidate winners are required to attend training sessions before the start of the academic year.
“There are two parts to every student leadership role, one is in the corporate side of ASI and the other is for individual advocacy goals,” said Hesgard. “Leaders can create projects they are passionate about and direct advisors in advancing student needs. For ASI Board of Directors Vice Chair Brian Rubio, this means connecting his current CSUF community to his culture.
“One of my favorite accomplishments with ASI has been helping develop a bilingual symposium for my college, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, where students in STEM can present in Spanish and in other languages,” said Rubio. “We want the students to invite their family members and their loved ones and give them a space to present research or scientific topic in another language to highlight their culture.”
ASI student leaders are also given access to student government advisors, one-on-one meetings with various boards and in-service check-ins to ensure leadership success.
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“My experience in ASI leadership has significantly shaped my growth,” said Rivera. It’s taught me to handle tough conversations, remain adaptable and effectively manage high-pressure situations. The resilience and time management skills I’ve developed here directly influence how I approach my counseling work.”
For many, being elected to student government is a window of opportunity that propels student leaders to the next stage in their careers.
A Future for ASI and Leader Growth
2024-2025 ASI Student leaders posing for a picture with CSUF President Ronald Rochon at the 2024 Community Chat. / ASI CSUF Flickr
ASI elections are more than just a campus tradition, they are a testament to the power of student voices in shaping the future of Cal State Fullerton.
The annual election marks a new era of ideas and civic growth within ASI’s initiatives, resources and student-led events that reflect the current economic and social state of the country.
As the campus grows, the power behind the polls continues to lie in the voice of students, highlighting ASI’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a dedicated space for student engagement.
For more information on this year’s election cycle and current candidates, follow ASI’s Instagram page and visit the student government page on the ASI website!