New Student-Led PSFA JEDI Council Set to Create Meaningful Change for Students

San Diego State University’s College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA) has prioritized community building by forming its first-ever student-led Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Student Council. 

Rae Zundel, Nanzi Muro, Matalino Lorenzo, Indigo Eatmon and Stephanie Carrasquillo were selected to head up this council to support fellow students at SDSU.

Council member Zundel explained how the JEDI council plans to operate and interact with the SDSU community.

“We hope to be a space, a resource, and a one-to-one personal connection for students so they can engage as their authentic selves, feel they belong, and achieve their goals on campus,” said Zundel.

The JEDI Student Council was originally envisioned as a diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) council, but after the group met and discussed the priorities, justice was added to the title. This addition emphasizes the council’s devotion to creating real change in the lives of underserved and underrepresented students. 

JEDI differentiates itself from other DEI initiatives by focusing on listening to what is most important to students and creating meaningful change by connecting those students to the resources available. 

One of the concerns that JEDI seeks to address is that many students from different backgrounds feel there needs to be a place on campus where they can be their most authentic selves and and more resources to thrive. 

“We acknowledge that there are gaps on campus in terms of belonging. Whether that be in terms of race, disability, or just different experiences” said Zundel.

Council member Muro, a graduate student in the School of Art and Design, has experienced these gaps and shared her own journey toward finding acceptance. 

Muro watched as fellow students and friends had to drop out of college due to difficult home lives and lack of support. After seeing her friends leave and experiencing this struggle herself, Muro leaped at the opportunity to be a part of a council that sought to solve this issue. 

“It’s time for justice and not just for me but for many students,” said Muro.

Muro elaborated, “Joining the JEDI council has been a turning point for me. I have found a community that has given me hope and inspiration to continue my education.”

The PSFA JEDI Student Council began operating in Spring 2024 and has plans to meet with different clubs and organizations on campus to introduce themselves and begin the conversation about how SDSU can better serve its students. 

In the future, the Council hopes to take what they learn from speaking with these students and host larger-scale events that bring people from different backgrounds together to create a community for all.