Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) at Cal State San Bernardino is the recognized student government that represents and advocates for the voice of all CSUSB students. ASI provides programs, services, and leadership opportunities that enhance the student experience and promote campus engagement. Through advocacy, collaboration, and stewardship, ASI works to empower students and strengthen the CSUSB community.
Mission Statement: The Associated Students, Incorporated serves, empowers, and advocates on behalf of the students at California State University, San Bernardino through the representation of student interests and needs, the inclusion of students in the decision-making process, the execution of premier events and services, and the provision of opportunities for students to be productive leaders of the campus community and beyond.
Vision Statement: We will be a transparent, receptive, and community-centered student government that collaborates with campus and external partners to enrich the student experience through exceptional advocacy, programming and services.
Goals
- Create an organizational structure that fosters advocacy, civic engagement, productivity, and development
- Increase awareness and accessibility of ASI services
- Build and support a culture of advocacy and inclusion within both CSUSB campuses
- Build and maintain the trust of the campus community
- Establish and nurture healthy and productive relations with campus and external partners
- Construct, facilitate and contribute to events and programs that enrich the collegiate experience
- Develop an organization that is receptive to its constituents’ needs
Functions of ASI
- Board of Directors: The Board guides ASI by debating, approving, and overseeing key decisions that shape student life and resource allocation. They also serve as representatives of the various colleges and student groups at both San Bernardino & Palm Desert Campuses.
- Committees: Committees bring together students and staff to dive deeper into specific areas like finance, policy, events, and sustainability, then make recommendations to the Board.
- Corporate Office: The administrative team at ASI oversees the organization’s operations, finances, and administrative functions, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective support for all ASI programs and initiatives.
- Elections: Each year, Elections ensures students have a fair and transparent way to choose their leaders through ASI’s student government election process.
- Legislative Affairs: This function fosters ASI’s external and internal relationships with campus, community, and government partners. They advocate for student priorities at all levels, while also overseeing sustainability and assessment efforts that ensure ASI’s initiatives remain impactful & accountable.
- Productions: Productions plans and hosts engaging campus events—from concerts to cultural celebrations—that build community and enhance the student experience. The team also provides graphic design and marketing support for ASI initiatives, maintaining consistent and creative outreach across both the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses.
Want to know more about ASI's structure? Check out the our Organizational Chart by clicking the button below!
Office Staff
Michael Rister, Executive Director
Email: michael.rister@csusb.edu
As an alumnus of CSUSB, Michael Rister worked the first half of his career in student recreation at Loma Linda University. He served as a lead representative for student programming and recreation development. After several years, Michael was welcomed back to CSUSB to teach Kinesiology courses. Helping students progress through their field of studies, Michael has always been student-focused and strived to help students grow academically and professionally.
As of fall 2022, It is with great pleasure Michael now serves as the Executive Director for ASI. His main actions are keeping students as the main focus and developing an emotional connection between students and the CSUSB campus.
Herbert Gonzalez, Associate Director
Email: herbert.gonzalez@csusb.edu
Herbert Gonzalez (he/him/his) is a proud alumnus of CSUSB and a first generation college graduate. During his undergrad career, he worked in the SMSU and was involved with Local Matters, Film Club and Coyote Radio. Herbert graduated in 2015 with his degree in Communications. A year after graduating, he returned to CSUSB to work full-time.
During his career in higher education, Herbert has guided many student-led teams in the areas of programming, marketing, and assessment for the Associated Students, Inc. Currently, Herbert proudly serves as the Associate Director in ASI. In his role, he works closely with student leaders on advocacy, training, development and sustainability.
Dacia Woods, Executive Assistant
Email: asi-frontdesk@csusb.edu
In her role as Executive Assistant, Dacia is responsible for the daily administrative operations in support of a student run office and supervises student assistants working at the front desk and the College Legal Clinic.
During her tenure at ASI, Dacia has received several forms of recognition which have included service awards, various Certificates of Appreciation, a Certificate of Excellence, Outstanding Staff of the Quarter, and a Student Centeredness Award. The Dacia Woods scholarship was created via a resolution honoring the service members and veterans of the United States military from CSUSB.
Dacia is a retired member of the United States Air Force Reserves where she served six years on active duty and over 14 years as a reservist. Throughout her Air Force career she worked in the Medical Administrative field and later retrained and worked as a Paralegal in the Judge Advocate General's office.
Marina Stone, Senior Program Coordinator
Email: marina.stone@csusb.edu
Marina Stone is currently serving CSUSB as the Senior Program Coordinator for ASI. She is a 2021 Cal State San Bernardino alumna, having graduated with her bachelor's degree in psychology. During her time in ASI, Marina served as a Program specialist, Special Projects Coordinator, and was elected as the Executive Vice President for 2020-2021. Outside of ASI, Marina has previously served as the President of Alpha Delta Pi, and the National Panhellenic Council at CSUSB.
In her current role, she leads the ASI Productions team, which includes programs, marketing, graphics and Palm Desert campus departments.