Q&A with outgoing Board of Advisors President, Brianna Peters ('10)
As alumna Brianna Peters ('10)'s term as president of the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors comes to an end, SDSU Alumni thanks her for fostering a community of inclusivity.
After graduating from San Diego State University, alumna Brianna Peters (‘10) set a goal to create an inclusive community for her fellow Aztecs. After joining the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors and becoming President this past year, Brianna did just that.
Over the past year, Brianna has helped launch new regional chapters, a podcast, and grow SDSU Alumni representation. As her term as president of the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors comes to an end, SDSU Alumni thanks her for fostering a community of inclusivity.
Read more about Brianna’s journey as president below!
Q: What impact do you hope you've left on the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors?
Before joining the SDSU Alumni Board in 2021, I had great memories as a student, but I hadn’t really identified yet with the alumni association. Since I didn’t really see myself represented, I didn’t think it was a place where I could get involved. I hope that the work we’ve done this year and for the past several years as a board has made all alumni and future alumni feel like they can have an active voice and influence in our alumni community.
My goals as President included greater regional representation beyond San Diego, greater engagement with recent graduates, and ensuring that all alumni could have a seat at the table. We’ve been able to accomplish those goals by launching many new regional chapters this year, launching a podcast to engage recent graduates, and adding the SDSU Alumni Board nomination form to our website to be more transparent with the nomination process.
Moving forward, I hope we can continue in this direction, and more alumni see themselves represented in our alumni community.
Q: What was your favorite SDSU Alumni event during your time on the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors, and why?
My favorite SDSU alumni event was homecoming week! Since I hadn’t been back to San Diego for an SDSU homecoming in almost 15 years, it was very special to be back on campus and participate in events such as the Alumni Center Open House, War Memorial, and SDSU tailgating and homecoming game. It was great to meet new alumni and honor our alumni who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Ultimately, the week reminded me a lot of my student experience, and it was great to share these special memories with my family as well.
Q: What advice do you have for the incoming president?
My biggest advice is to enjoy and savor every moment because it will go by fast! I also encourage her to take time to meet with different alumni and to hear their stories. We have so many amazing, kind, and talented SDSU alumni. Many alumni have great suggestions on how we can improve as a board and as an alumni association.
Q: What advice do you have for this year's graduating class, who will join the network of more than 500,000 SDSU alumni?
Make sure to enjoy this time of your life because you have the freedom to explore different avenues. I also graduated around the time when the economy wasn’t that favorable, so please don’t be discouraged.
In addition to finding your ideal job, don’t forget to give back to your local community through service. They need your talents, passions, and skill set. There are people in your community who need the valuable knowledge that you gained from getting your degree at SDSU. You never know who you are inspiring by your educational journey.
Q: How will you stay involved with SDSU Alumni and the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors?
Thankfully, I still have time to serve on the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors. This upcoming school year, I will serve as the Immediate Past President. I look forward to supporting our amazing incoming Alumni Board president, Board of Advisors, and Alumni Office.
Additionally, I’m excited about getting more involved with the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter and being a part of the LA Regional Council. I’ve lived in the Los Angeles area since graduating from SDSU, so I’m excited to serve more in my region and to increase SDSU Aztec representation here.
Q: What would you say to an alumnus who is considering getting involved with SDSU Alumni?
It’s never too early, and it’s never too late to get back involved! It’s best to get involved in an area that you’re passionate about, fits into your schedule, and is accessible to you.
For example, I first got back involved in the Aztec Mentorship Program (AMP) two years after graduating and got involved with Harold K Brown Educational and Empowerment Program (HB KEEP) and the SDSU Alumni Board of Advisors during the pandemic. With the increase of regional groups around the country, there are many ways to get involved and to lend your skills and talents!