Amira Shalabi knew that CSUSB was the university where she was meant to be long before becoming a coyote. 

A health services administration major, Shalabi is now stepping into a new chapter of her CSUSB journey as the first Arab American president of Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) for the 2026-27 academic year.

Her story began at Choose CSUSB Day, when she attended with her older sister, Iman, who graduated from CSUSB in May 2025. “I noticed a sense of belonging,” Amira said. “Everywhere you look, there is a great group of students and staff who show you that there are endless opportunities here.”

During that visit, Shalabi stopped by the ASI office without realizing she was getting a glimpse of her own future. Something about the organization stood out to her. She knew she wanted to become involved with ASI — and she knew she wanted to become a Coyote.

When Shalabi returned to campus as a first-year student, she brought ambitious goals with her. She planned to earn her bachelor’s degree in three years, the same amount of time it took her to graduate from high school. She also set another goal: to run for ASI president and be a fierce advocate for students.

As she became more involved on campus, the questions she once had about finding her place at CSUSB began to fade. She also began to recognize strengths in herself that she could develop into leadership.

Because English is not her first language, confidently expressing her thoughts and ideas became an important part of her growth. Through her experiences at CSUSB, Shalabi strengthened her communication skills, found confidence in her voice and learned how to use it to advocate for her fellow students on issues that mattered deeply to them.

“What surprised me the most about my experience here at CSUSB was feeling very welcomed,” Shalabi said. “I’m very supported in every room that I walk into. Before coming, I kind of questioned, ‘Would I belong here?’”

She found her answer in the relationships she built with fellow students, professors, mentors and ASI professional staff. Over time, Shalabi didn’t just find a community at CSUSB — she became an active part of building one and creating pathways for a more inclusive campus.

Growing up, her parents taught her the importance of supporting others, staying connected to her community and creating opportunities for those around her. She carried those values with her to college, where they became an important part of the kind of leader she wanted to be.

Those values also inspired her to pursue leadership. As a Palestinian and Muslim student, Shalabi wanted students who shared her background to see themselves represented in prominent leadership roles on campus. “I noticed I didn’t see a Palestinian, a Muslim person sitting in a huge leadership role,” Shalabi said. “I didn’t just want to be the first one, but I also wanted to continue something down the path in the future for students to see: If I can do it, so can they.”

That purpose became even more meaningful during the ASI presidential election. Shalabi campaigned across campus, taking time to meet students, listen to their experiences and better understand the community she hoped to represent. When the results came in, she had enough votes to win in the first round without a runoff.

“I truly felt like I belonged here during the ASI elections,” Shalabi said. “When I got elected president and looked at the votes right afterward, I noticed they really do want me to represent them.”

For Shalabi, winning the election meant more than earning a title. Her peers had trusted her to represent them, a responsibility she does not take lightly. And becoming ASI president is only the beginning.

One of Shalabi’s top priorities is ensuring that all CSUSB students feel represented and experience the same sense of belonging she found on campus. She plans to strengthen connections across the university community and keep students’ interests at the center of her work.

Although her term has just begun, Shalabi is already thinking about the legacy she hopes to leave behind. She wants current and future coyotes to recognize their potential are all around them — and that they have the power to pursue them. That means opening more doors during her presidency while helping ensure those opportunities continue long after her term ends. Her journey from visiting the ASI office as a prospective student to leading the organization shows what can happen when students find their community, discover their confidence and step forward to lead.

At CSUSB, Shalabi found where she belongs  and discovered the power of her own voice along the way. Now, she is using that voice to help other Coyotes recognize their potential, pursue new opportunities and find their own path to define the future.