APIDA Spotlight: Chelsea Agcolicol
Chelsea Agcolicol (Senior, Management major with Specialization in Human Resource Management)
In honor of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month, the Fowler College of Business News Team is highlighting students to help spotlight the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our community and in the United States. Exceptional student Chelsea Agcolicol (Senior, Management) shares what Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month means to her, her cultural background, experiences at SDSU, and more.
Are you someone in the Asian American or Pacific Islander community who is interested in telling your story? Email [email protected] for the chance to be featured!
Background
Where are you originally from?
I was born and raised on the island of Maui, Hawaii and moved to San Diego after graduating from high school in 2016.
Why did you choose to attend San Diego State University?
I chose to attend SDSU because I wanted to expand my knowledge and education in a university environment. I also have had family members who attended SDSU in past years so I wanted to continue to follow in their footsteps.
Why did you choose to get a degree in human resource management from the Fowler College of Business? Please describe your experience thus far.
I chose to major in human resource management (HRM) because I enjoy helping people through the department of HR. I feel that it is very important for employees of a company to have a great management team who will guide them into succeeding in their positions as well as helping the company achieve its overall goals. I have learned about many different aspects of HR through the Fowler College of Business as well as SDSU’s Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) which has influenced my career path in HRM.
This photo was taken when PISA took a road trip to meet its sister organization in UCLA along with the other PISA organizations in California. It was one of Agcolicol's best memories because she met many Pacific Islander brothers, sisters, and allies.
As a student leader involved with organizations at SDSU, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far? Is there a particular organization that has had a profound impact on your college experience?
Before transferring from San Diego Mesa College to SDSU, I had met a couple of members who are part of SDSU’s Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) which really helped me to transition smoothly to SDSU. PISA has made a great impact on my college experience because although it is a smaller organization, I have met amazing people with similar backgrounds and experiences whom I now call family. During my last year in SDSU, I chose to run for an executive board position in PISA to encourage and teach the members about my knowledge in the Pacific Islander culture as well as promoting awareness and cultural activities in the Pacific Island community.
Also during my last year in SDSU, I joined SDSU’s SHRM to gain more insight on human resource management as well as network with other students and employers in the industry. I enjoyed my time with SHRM. They have created an amazing space for us to connect and interact with each other, especially during a pandemic. I met really amazing and driven people in my major who have inspired me to pursue a career in human resource management.
What is your favorite memory from SDSU?
My favorite memory would have to be performing at various events for PISA during my junior year. Our organization performed at multiple events such as APSA’s Night Market and during a trip to UCLA to meet our sister organization.
What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?
I would say that the best advice I have received was to enjoy your time spent in school doing school activities because once you graduate and start your career, that’s it for your college experience.
What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?
I hope to obtain a position in human resources within the healthcare industry because I feel driven to serve patients, connect frontline workers, and support the overall medical institution for success.
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month
What is your cultural background?
I am a 2nd generation Filipino-American born and raised on the island of Maui, Hawaii.
What does Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month mean to you?
This month to me means spotlighting the Pacific Islander cultures. Although my blood is not of Pacific Islander, I grew up surrounded by the Hawaiian culture, learning their history, language, and dance. In addition, the PI community at SDSU is fairly small and I choose to uplift the voices of those Pacific Islanders and extend a hand in promoting their culture in the community as well as continue to listen and learn from other PI leaders outside the SDSU community.
Agcolicol with her mentor, coworker, brother, Mr. Heiva, SDSU alum, PISA community advisor, Nash Salas.
There has recently been a surge of anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S. Do you have any advice for people who do not identify with the Asian community and want to be an ally/takeaction?
I would say to always listen, learn, and keep an open mind about what you see and hear. If you would like to be an ally, listen to those in the Asian community and stand by them in how they choose to take action.
What advice would you give Asian Pacific students wanting to get involved at SDSU? Are there communities and/or student organizations you would recommend?
I encourage students to try to get involved with cultural orgs, especially if you do not identify as Asian, Filipino, Pacific Islander, etc. All of these organizations share similar goals to teaching and promoting their culture to others. As for recommending an organization, I am biased to say PISA just because it is the only cultural organization I have been a part of. From my experience, this organization has given me a home away from home and we do our best to keep our space open to anyone who comes by. If you want to learn more about the Pacific Islander cultures (there are more than one), definitely visit PISA’s meetings or events one day to learn and interact with those in the community.
Who inspires you? Do you have any mentors that have positively impacted your life?
My friend Nash Salas, who is our PISA community advisor as well as Mr. Heiva, has inspired me in his love of the Pacific Island cultures. He has been a great coworker, mentor, and friend through the years before and during my time in SDSU. He was the first person to introduce me to PISA where I met amazing people whom I call family. He also introduced me to so many leaders in the San Diego Pacific Islander community as well as helped me find a place to express my love for dance and music.
*Group photos were taken prior to March 2021
