Katelyn Gambarin, the director of Legislative Affairs for Associated Students, has been involved in student government at San José State since her first semester of college, and since then she has been making a difference.
In her position, Gambarin, along with the A.S. president, will support and uphold the wants and needs of San Jose State University students by collaborating with local government offices and officials, according to Associated Students SJSU.
Gambarin was also recently been elected as vice chair of the Cal State Student Association, with candidates spanning from different CSUs.
According to the Cal State Student Association website,
CSSA is an organization led by California State University students to ameliorate the lives and experiences of every student attending the CSUs by representing students and attesting to their needs.
Associated Students (A.S.) and the Cal State Student Association are intertwined to best support students across all the 23 CSU campuses, according to the CSSA website.
Associated Students SJSU President, Ariana Lacson, said that Gambarin served as vice chair for the A.S. board of directors prior to her new position as vice chair for the Cal State Student Association. “She’s familiar with how being a vice chair works so that was optimal for her new position.”,
Gambarin has continuously held a position in Associated Students since joining from the Fall semester of 2022 to now, the Fall semester of 2024. Now starting her third year at SJSU, she has held four different positions in total in A.S., including the position of student at large, ethics officer, director of internal affairs, and currently, the director of legislative affairs.
“I’ve been a part of Associated Students since my very first year, and I have absolutely fallen in love with it,” Gambarin said. “I feel like I’ve really grown as a person and as a leader in this space.”
Leonardo Plazola, A.S. director of Student rights and Responsibilities said, “She has a wealth of experience and knowledge.”
“(Gambarin) is such a valuable member of our board and I cannot imagine it without her.”, Plazola said.
Gambarin interned for California 25th District Assemblymember Ash Kalra, giving her experience in local government and legislation. Kalra represents eastern San José and a majority of Downtown San José, including the part that holds our San José State campus.
“I think that internship really affirmed my desire to stay in government or work in government,” she said. “I don’t know in what capacity I would want to do that, but I do know that doing this kind of work is very rewarding.”
Gambarin stressed the importance of students being involved in their community and staying informed.
“The legislation that’s passed that affects this area affects you,” she said. “It’s just really about showing students that you have a say in what happens in this area. You have the ability to voice who you think is going to make change that will benefit you and your future.”
