Schenkhuizen Family

Cliff Schenkhuizen (‘93, Management Information Systems) and Alexander Schenkhuizen (‘22, Integrated Marketing Communications) 

Cliff Schenkhuizen (left) with his son, Alex Schenkhuizen

Did your college experience influence your parenting style? If so, how?
Cliff: Definitely.  College was a time when we got to spend four (or more) years becoming the adults we set out to become after high school.  I met some of my closest friends along with many who didn’t have much in common with me.  My wife and I dated throughout our time at SDSU, and this experience helped shaped our views on the college experience we eventually wanted for our own kids.  We had a great balance of studying hard, fun times with friends, and getting work experience– and I wanted the same balance for my kids as they grew up.

Did your dad’s education at SDSU inspire you to attend? 
Alex: Indirectly, yes.  My dad toured colleges with me when applying, and he shared a lot of his experiences when we visited SDSU.  He was certainly supportive of the other colleges we toured, but he got pretty excited about sharing stories when being on campus at SDSU again.  Everything from how great it was to just spend time on campus, to all the housing options between living on campus or even off-campus near the beach.  My dad has a business degree, and his career has been a big influence in my decision to pursue marketing and business.

How do you think your SDSU experience was different from Alex’s?
Cliff: Technology has had a big impact on the experience, for one. The vast majority of classes were in person, and the internet was just beginning to come into the picture. Most of our social plans were coordinated in person when we saw our friends, and there was a natural overlap with getting together to talk about homework and studying for exams. I don’t consider it better or worse than today, where our mobile devices and social media have completely changed the interaction landscape — just different.

When did you complete your degree?
Alex: I just graduated with a B.S. in business administration with an emphasis in marketing.  I just started a full-time position as marketing manager with a local company in Mira Mesa and am very excited to start my career.

Do you have any final thoughts or advice you might share with current SDSU students?
Cliff: I look back fondly on my time at SDSU. I met my future wife while attending, and we’ll be celebrating our 29th anniversary this month. My professors in information systems (now MIS) were amazing mentors, and they helped get my career started with internship opportunities. If I could give advice to the next generation of students (beyond my own son, of course!), it would be that opportunities will always be there if you’re looking for them and willing to put in the time required to develop them. Go Aztecs!

Alex: There’s a lot I thought I knew and believed about college and my journey through SDSU. The relationships and connections — both the ones I invested in intentionally and those that developed unexpectedly — proved to change my perspective on, and approach to, all things even outside school. If I could give advice to a prospective or current student, I’d recommend they lean into the unexpected and the uncomfortable, and to embrace those around you, whether you have one study buddy, a dorm full of friends, or you see only new faces. After all, I met my girlfriend (we just graduated together) when I bumped into her at Aztec Nights on the first day.