UNIVERSITY STUDENT UNION

Annual Report 2012 – 2013

Developing Students


Joseph Cayanan talks with a microphone while Kevin Lizarraga supervises at the winter 2013 Student Summit Students laugh and smile at the winter 2013 Student Summit Students laugh and smile at the winter 2013 Student Summit Students laugh and smile at the winter 2013 Student Summit Students laugh and smile at the winter 2013 Student Summit Students laugh and smile at the winter 2013 Student Summit Students laugh and smile at the winter 2013 Student Summit Students laugh and smile at the winter 2013 Student Summit Students laugh while participating in activities at the fall 2012 U-Day student appreciation event

Learning Outcomes

The USU focused its student development in three areas:

  1. Teaching student staff the professional use of technology to communicate effectively (via e-mail etiquette)
  2. Helping student leaders integrate goal development, decision making and effective team management in their committee and board roles
  3. Supporting student leaders and student employees in discovering, strengthening, and using their natural talents via the StrengthsQuest® program to aid them in making life choices that are congruent with their abilities, values, and beliefs.


E-mail Etiquette (Two-Year Comparison): Percent of correct answers provided by student employees who completed a survey about proper business email etiquette: 92.6% (2010-2011) 92.9% (2011-2012) +0.3% increase Leadership Development (Three-Year Comparison): 88% (2010-2011) 80% (2011-2012) 91% (2012-2013) +3% increase Strengths Development: Percent of students who were able to write about their intentional use of a talent during the year: 93% (Spring 2012) 72% (Spring 2013); Percent of Students whose writings demonstrated a developed knowledge about one of their innate talents: 59% (Spring 2012) 93% (Spring 2013)

Student Leadership


The student and professional staff of the USU gather in the Plaza del Sol The student and professional staff of the SRC gather in the SRC Red Ring Courts

With 56 full-time staff positions, 38 full-time and part-time temporary staff and 423 student assistant positions, the USU is the largest single employer of students on the campus. Its goal of being the premier employer of students on campus goes beyond the numbers. Its intention is to create purposeful learning experiences that support students’ personal and professional development.


The USU student work experience includes student supervisor positions, self-appraisals and evaluations, tiered employment and promotion opportunities, the ability to “test into” higher positions, and opportunities to gain certifications and attend professional conferences. The corporation also has embraced StrengthsQuest® the Gallup organization’s groundbreaking development tool that helps participants operate from a model of empowerment versus deficiency. The intentional use of such instruments is to hone leadership (talents or skills) and create as many leaders as possible.

The Board of Directors’ majority membership is comprised of student leaders who provide strategic direction to the corporation. Its student subcommittees, where student employees can serve, review policies and make recommendations for future Board action. Current subcommittees address facilities, services, finance, human resources, auditing and strategic planning.