Vice President-elect Andrew La ’18 and President-elect Laila Dadabhoy ’19 wish for Cal State Fullerton to remain welcoming and inclusive, despite the recent vitriolic political environment in the U.S.

For the first time in three years, a member of the Mihaylo community has been elected to Cal State Fullerton’s top student elective position. Junior Laila Dadabhoy ’19 (business administration) and her running mate, Andrew La ’18 (public relations) defeated communications major and presidential candidate Brian Miles Garibay ’19 and pre-business student and vice-presidential candidate Deborah Ochei to win the top spots.

For Laila Dadabhoy ’19 (business administration), the Cal State Fullerton experience has not only provided an affordable business education, chances for club involvement and student assistant employment. It has also led her to the student body presidency of one of the largest universities on the West Coast.

With 100% of precincts reporting as of March 16, Dadabhoy and her running mate, Andrew La ’18 (public relations), secured victory with 56.98% of the popular vote, which included undergraduate and graduate students across all colleges of the university.

The incoming Dadabhoy/La administration will be in office throughout the 2017-2018 academic year, with the ability to advocate key concerns of students, including club funding, extracurricular activities offered through Associated Students Inc. (ASI), and representation as the state considers budgetary changes to the Cal State system. As CEO of the ASI system, Dadabhoy will be responsible for the direction of the $18 million nonprofit corporation.

“We will represent the CSU system statewide in our travels throughout California and even advocate nationally in Washington, D.C., in spring 2018, in our quest to ensure that the Cal State system is fully funded,” says Dadabhoy.

Policy Agenda of the New Administration

Recognizing the importance of building partnerships with the local business community, Dadabhoy’s favorite goal is building a coalition with local businesses in Orange County generally, but with a focus on organizations in the city of Fullerton, to help provide career pathways for Cal State Fullerton students.

Responding to the needs and concerns of the university’s diverse student body is another of Dadabhoy’s concerns. One of her goals is to provide better facilities and more exposure to the Diversity Initiative Resource Centers (DIRC), which is comprised of centers such as the African American Resource Center and the Chicana/Chicano Resource Center, to raise awareness and advocate on behalf of minority and underrepresented groups on campus.

She also wants to make ASI more accessible and functional to the average Cal State Fullerton student, who is likely a commuter balancing a full-time course load with off-campus employment.

Support for the Laila Dadabhoy campaign has been very visible on campus in recent weeks.

About Dadabhoy

A graduate of Cypress High School, Dadabhoy has been active in ASI since her freshman year, serving as chief communication officer for the organization during the 2016-2017 year. She has also held several student assistant roles on campus, including assisting with Mihaylo College’s social media and managing events and conducting research for the College of Natural Science.

For More Information

The new president and vice president look forward to addressing the needs and concerns of all Titans. “I’m excited to help students in every way I can,” said Dadabhoy during a visit to the Mihaylo College dean’s suite a day after winning the presidency.

The new administration will be inaugurated on June 1. To schedule an appointment with them, stop by the ASI executive offices at TSU 207 or call 657-278-3295. Dadabhoy can be reached at [email protected] beginning June 1.