ASI president leads with purpose to empower student success

CSUSB student Carson Fajardo always felt a strong bond with Cal State San Bernardino. So, when the opportunity came to attend the university, he embraced it wholeheartedly, choosing to stay rooted in his community while reaching for something greater.

His commitment to amplifying student voices became the driving force behind his campaign, ultimately leading to his election. With the power to make a real impact, he dove into organizing student campaigns, events and initiatives aimed at improving the CSUSB student experience. His success in his first term as ASI president encouraged him to run for a second, during which he was elected unopposed. Making history as the first two-term ASI president since 2006, Fajardo sets a new standard for what dedicated, student-led leadership can achieve.

Fajardo, a proud Inland Empire native and administration major, honors his roots wherever he goes. His strong connection to his family and local community played a key role in his college decision, making CSUSB stand out as the ideal choice. His passion for improving student wellbeing and his commitment to student advocacy have set a strong example of student leadership and Coyote success.  “As a sophomore, I put myself out there.” he said “I thought I had a chance. I had built connections in housing and knew I had a great network I could rely on, so I went for it.”

Fajardo is a proud recipient of Cal State San Bernardino’s prestigious Presidential Academic Excellence Scholarship, an award that recognizes exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential. For Fajardo, the scholarship was more than financial aid it was a life-changing opportunity. “With this scholarship, I was afforded the opportunity to live on campus, an experience I never thought I would have gotten,” he explained. “I thought I was going to have to work multiple jobs and try to keep myself afloat, but CSUSB took a chance on me.”

Eager to make the most of his college experience, Fajardo thrived academically and fully embraced the opportunity to live on campus. He quickly joined the Residential Hall Association as a programming coordinator, where he began building valuable connections with his peers. His dedication and involvement soon paid off, earning him a seat on the board of directors as a housing representative.

As Fajardo’s engagement deepened, he was invited to represent his peers at the California State Student Association (CSSA), a statewide student-run organization that plays a key role in influencing major campus decisions. This experience sparked a powerful realization for Fajardo that leadership wasn’t just a title. It was a calling to uplift others and create lasting change.

Fajardo grew up in a middle-class Latino-Filipino immigrant family in Rancho Cucamonga in the Inland Empire. From an early age, he was instilled with strong values of hard work and a deep belief in the power of higher education – values reinforced by his parents’ unwavering support and encouragement.

Thanks to his paternal grandfather’s service in World War II, Fajardo’s family was granted American citizenship and the opportunity to immigrate from the Philippines to the United States. Today, driven to honor that sacrifice, Fajardo is motivated to earn his degree and make a lasting impact on his community.