CSUSB Student Alfredo Barcenas Named 'Undergraduate Student of the Year' by ASCA

Alfredo Barcenas, a Cal State San Bernardino senior and former Associated Students Inc. president, is the 2016 recipient of the Undergraduate Student of the Year Award by the Association for Student Conduct Administration. Unaware of the nomination, Barcenas said he was overjoyed to be recognized for all his contributions and dedication to the campus. The award is presented annually to an undergraduate student who has greatly contributed to his/her institution in the past year. “I was very excited and honored to have received notice from ASCA that I was named their ‘Undergraduate Student of the Year’,” said Barcenas. Majoring in political science, Barcenas has had quite the year at CSUSB. Last summer, the 22-year-old was appointed vice president for University Affairs in the systemwide California State Student Association for the 2015-2016 academic year. Student leaders from each of the California State University campuses represent more than 40,000 students in the CSU system. “Alfredo is one who not only embodies the meaning of the kind of well-rounded student and legacy that CSUSB aspires to cultivate, but also one that defines academic excellence, leadership, and service to the community and their peers,” said Sandra Vasquez, director of student conduct and ethical development. “As an administrator, it is with amazement that I consistently saw Alfredo maximizing the intersections of the multiple communities he belongs to at CSUSB.” “Barcenas is one of the most remarkable students I have had the honor of working with in my 20 years as a full-time professional in higher education,” said Alysson Satterlund, associate vice president and dean of students. The Barstow resident was also among the 20 students nationwide who were selected to participate as congressional interns with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, D.C., last fall. He interned for U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and on the Senate Committee for Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs from August through November. Interested in pursuing a law degree after graduation this spring, Barcenas is now applying to the California Capital Fellows program. If selected, he will have an opportunity to gain experience with public policy. Student advocacy has always been a priority for him and will continue to be one as he moves forward, Barcenas said. “To be honest I owe it all to the students during my tenure as ASI president,” he said. “It was their voice that led me to listen and led me to address their needs on campus.” Barcenas currently serves as the judicial and programming chair for Sigma Chi fraternity, where he established a foundation for active engagement in efforts to promote the “End Sexual Violence” campaign at CSUSB. Last summer, Barcenas was also involved in CSUSB’s Coyote First STEP program, designed for incoming freshmen, in which he helped educate the new students on the dangers of alcohol and drug use. In addition, as housing coordinator in CSUSB’s Office of Housing and Residential Life, Barcenas provides leadership to resident advisors and students with cultural, community and personal dilemmas. The awards will be presented at the national ASCA conference in Florida during the first weekend of February.