sdsu georgia welcomes STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS p. 9 p. 13 p. 19 Associated Students Board p. 11 p. 15 p. 20-21 Hackathons The Newsletter of San Diego State University Georgia is published by the Community Relations and Development and Student Services departments and San Diego State University Georgia (SDSU Georgia), through distributed to SDSU Georgia funding from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and Millennium Challenge Account Georgia (MCA Georgia), stakeholders, faculty, students and offers students an exciting educational opportunity to study in friends. Tbilisi, Georgia. Here, in the heart of the Caucasus, students are able to earn a professionally accredited, internationally SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY recognized U.S. bachelor’s degree. San Diego State University Adela de la Torre (SDSU) along with three top Georgian universities: Georgian President Technical University (GTU), Ilia State University (ISU), and Tbilisi State University (TSU) offers courses leading to science, SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY GEORGIA technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Halil Güven internationally accredited bachelor’s degrees. Programs Dean offered by the university support the development of engineering, science and technology elds, as well as Georgia’s human capital capacity for economic growth. Newsletter created by SDSU Georgia offers six bachelor's degree programs: SDSU Georgia Community Relations and Development Chemistry/Biochemistry Elene Aladashvili Civil Engineering Ana Nizharadze Computer Engineering SDSU Georgia Student Services Computer Science Konstantin Samoilov Construction Engineering Daniel Williams Electrical Engineering Design These American-style programs include a well-rounded liberal Giorgi Akhuashvili arts education and feature Western Association of Schools and Giorgi Goguadze Colleges accreditation, and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or American Chemical Irina Kacharava Society (ACS) accreditation. SDSU Georgia graduates will leave iStudio Ltd with a broad base of knowledge and the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in a STEM career locally, regionally, or internationally. Table of Contents Members of the SDSU Georgia community form a unique and special cohort of individuals who will earn regionally and About SDSU Georgia 2 nationally accredited, and internationally recognized, high- President Adela de la Torre 3 quality STEM bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, SDSU Georgia students will be exposed to the same academic benets Message from the Dean 4 available to their peers at SDSU's main campus in California, including state-of-the-art technology and laboratories. The News 5-11 San Diego State University Aztecs alumni family includes over Stories 12-18 300,000 national and international leaders. At SDSU Georgia, we empower our students to achieve academic, professional Student Achievements 19-22 and personal goals. Student Life 23-26 2 Adela de la Torre, Ph.D. Message From the President Biography It’s been a busy few months since I was announced as Adela de la Torre became the 9th permanent president SDSU’s 9th permanent president. I’ve been humbled and of San Diego State University on June 28, 2018, the rst honored to meet with students, faculty, staff, donors, woman to serve in the role. She is committed to and leaders in San Diego who are excited to support the building on the exceptional academic and research new chapter and trajectory of this wonderful university. legacy of SDSU and to guiding the next chapter of the university’s transformation into one of the nation’s In the midst of a busy calendar, my husband, Steve, our three dogs, and I arrived to San Diego. And while leading public research universities—an institution unpacking the precious Mexican art pieces and that combines the highest levels of academic, mementos I’ve collected over my years as a citizen and entrepreneurship, and research distinction, as well as scholar, I was struck with the thought that new maximum impact to the San Diego community and the trajectories rarely take us far from our foundational world at large. roots. Under her direction, the university will pursue the In my case, I am still amazed that my Mexican heritage highest levels of teaching, research, innovative, and and my work as a binational economist have led me to SDSU, home of the Aztecs, and that I get to help collaborative distinction, focusing on graduating strengthen binational and international bridges to exceptional global citizens, compassionate leaders, further the power of education. To that end, I’m thrilled and ethical innovators who impact the San Diego that I will be at SDSU Georgia in just a few days to meet community and the world at large. with staff, faculty, and students. She is committed to championing local, binational, and As we move forward, student success will continue to be global relationships, transparent communication, a foundational force in what we do across the university. productive collaboration, sustainable infrastructure, This approach will yield impressive global citizens, compassionate leaders, and ethical innovators who will and expansion to Mission Valley in order to expand the impact their local community and the world at large. university’s impact for the next 121 years. This is an exciting time to be part of SDSU Georgia and Dr. de la Torre brings to SDSU nearly 30 years of service the larger SDSU family. in leadership roles within institutions of higher education, including the California State University I also hope that as you examine your own trajectory as a system, the University of Arizona and the University of family member and friend of SDSU Georgia you will be California, Davis. In all of her various leadership and inspired by the stories highlighted in these pages and to stay involved in many ways. teaching positions throughout her career, Dr. Adela de la Torre has endeavored to provide equal access to I look forward to meeting many of you when I am in health and educational opportunities for all students, Georgia and hearing about the trajectory that brought with a particular focus in improving outreach, YOU to where you are today. recruitment, and retention of highly qualied students from underserved communities. Here’s to a year of great partnerships and fruitful collaboration! Dr. de la Torre is a values-driven leader committed to helping create a more balanced and integrated Adela de la Torre, environment for both undergraduate and graduate President students, linking their approach to academic success, personal well-being, and societal impact. 3 Message From the Dean .. Dr. Halil Guven Dean, San Diego State University Georgia In the modern world, where the fastest growing stakeholders and donors, enables us to create and occupations depend on STEM knowledge and skills, maintain close ties with the demands of the job market, increasing the number of high quality scientists and STEM and pass on expertise to partners in Georgian academia to professionals is monumental to economic growth. SDSU enhance the quality of education for our next generation. came to Georgia four years ago with an objective to SDSU Georgia has formed a Public Private Partnership provide an American university education in Georgia, Fund (PPPF) to generate resources that make focused on STEM disciplines that would improve human internationally accredited STEM programs affordable for capital in the Georgian labor force. This is intended to successful and socially vulnerable students in the country. enhance employment in companies requiring market- The PPPF was launched at the end of 2016 and has driven skills, and to battle the critical shortage of STEM generated more than $3 million USD to support need- professionals educated to current international standards. based tuition for SDSU Georgia students. Since 2014, when SDSU Georgia rst introduced its STEM We pride ourselves in building the most welcoming and programs, interest in STEM elds has grown dramatically friendly environment where students integrate in society, among high school graduates. Through nationwide achieve their goals, and thrive in their academic life and interactions with high school students and the public, career after graduation. SDSU Georgia has successfully communicated the Leadership starts here! importance of STEM education and increased the awareness of career paths in STEM. We are proud to say that SDSU Georgia programs attract more and more qualied, bright Georgian students each year. This year we will welcome the fourth cohort of students to our internationally accredited, American degree programs in STEM elds. At SDSU Georgia, we ensure student success by providing students with access to a quality education, state-of-the- art technology and cutting-edge research, as well as various opportunities to visit SDSU home campus for a research or exchange semester. SDSU Georgia strives to New SDSU Georgia Vice Dean Nugzar Davitashvili at make student life an engaging experience by listening to SDSU with students students’ needs through the SDSU Georgia Associated Students Board, and by offering the opportunity to form clubs that diversify students’ activities beyond academics. In June 2019, SDSU Georgia will have its rst graduates. By joining forces with the local business sector, governments of Georgia and the U.S., and SDSU home campus, we create job and internship opportunities for SDSU Georgia students. In addition, through our new career development center project, we help our students realize their strengths, ne-tune