It was during her five-month stay in Mexico that Magaña's dream of college began – a journey that meant saying goodbye to her mother again, to return to school in Los Angeles and the path to a university education her mother insisted was the only future she wanted for her children.
But Magaña said the sacrifices she has had to make to become a `Runner are not so different from those of other first-generation students.
And it was that knowledge that prompted her to do something so terrifying, she still marvels at how she even attempted it:
Running for president of Associated Students, Inc.
“I felt like I wanted to show students you can fall down and get back up,” Magaña said. “That life can throw things at you, but you can overcome them. You can become everything you thought you could be. I wanted to be a president where students know I’m not perfect.”
CSUB President Dr. Lynnette Zelezny said she is delighted to partner with Magaña during what will be an extraordinary year at the university.
“At CSUB, we share the responsibility and privilege of leadership,” President Zelezny said. “Our students have a voice in charting the course for the future, and our ASI leaders make sure that students have the opportunity and access to use that voice. Stephanie is so committed to issues of equity and inclusion. Together, we will put students first and continue to make CSUB the pride of our region.”
President Zelezny has invited Magaña to Cabinet and committee meetings, helping her to become acclimated to university governance.
“I admire her leadership so much,” Magaña said of President Zelezny. “She leads with compassion but she’s very professional and knows how to get things done and cares about students. She knows our names. It’s the type of leader I would like to be.”
Vanessa Chicaiza, who served as ASI president for the 2020-2021 term, offered advice for her successor.
“As I reflect on this past year, I would encourage Stephanie to continue our legacy of service. I also emphasize the importance of continuing to bridge the gap between ASI and our student body to ensure that communication flows and our students’ voices continue to be at the forefront of all conversations.”
Magaña is assuming the presidency at a pivotal time in higher education, as CSUB and other universities transition back to in-person classes after nearly a year and a half of remote instruction.
“We’ve been hearing from the students that there are fears about the transition,” she said. “Some students don’t feel safe coming back to campus. They don’t want to get sick. They don’t want to be exposed. This year, I want to focus on making students feel safe, not just on campus but wherever they are. I also want them to know they have the resources they need to succeed.”