Bethany Banuelos, Associate Director for the Student Union, Marketing and Event of Associated Student Inc.
Graphic by Dani Ramirez
By Thi Tu Truong
Connecting with CI can begin with a campuswide event, a cup of tea or a comfortable place to rest between classes. For Bethany Banuelos, those everyday moments are part of helping students feel supported and included on campus. Banuelos is the Associate Director for the Student Union, Marketing and Event of Associated Student Inc. (ASI). In this piece, get to know Banuelos and the work she does behind the scenes to help students discover campus resources, navigate challenges and recognize opportunities for leadership and personal growth.
Students may see a finished event, social media post or welcoming campus space, but Banuelos’ work begins much earlier. It involves planning, problem-solving, mentoring student employees and collaborating with campus partners. Beyond her official title, Banuelos describes herself as “someone here to help students find their way” and is inspired by people who supported her during her college life. She said people took time to guide and encourage her while helping her recognize possibilities she may not have discovered on her own. Those relationships shaped the kind of leader she strives to be today. She now hopes to provide students with the same kind of support and connection.
Although ASI is known for events and student activities, Banuelos said its work extends beyond programming. Some of her most meaningful experiences have happened during personal conversations that did not appear on an event schedule or in her job description. Banuelos has mentored students experiencing personal and academic difficulties. She has also connected students with mental health and wellness services and helped them find assistance with food, housing or financial insecurity. These challenges can sometimes cause students to question whether they can remain in school. “Sometimes the most important thing we can offer is a safe place for a student to talk, feel heard, and determine their best next step,” Banuelos said.
Those conversations reflect what she sees as ASI’s broader responsibility: caring for the whole student. The goal is not only to address immediate concerns but also to help students remain in school, graduate and recognize what is possible for their futures. Creating that sense of belonging can be especially important at CI, where many students commute, work, raise children or balance school with family responsibilities. ASI offers events and engagement opportunities at different times, including activities where students may bring their children, relatives, friends or other supporters.
Banuelos said students should not always have to choose between participating in campus life and honoring the people, traditions and responsibilities that matter to them. Connection also does not require attending a major event. A student might stop by the Student Union to make a craft, enjoy a snack or meet someone new. Others may use the space to study, eat, relax in a massage chair, spend time with friends or rest on a beanbag chair between classes. “Belonging is central to the Student Union’s mission,” Banuelos said. “We want students to know there is a place for them here.”
Banuelos’s favorite fall activity reflects that focus. She enjoys cozy drinks in good company including campus gatherings such as Coffee and Convo, where she can slow down, sip something warm and connect with students and colleagues. A cozy fall drink may help set that atmosphere, but Banuelos said the conversation makes the moment meaningful. Relationships, ideas and memories can begin when people take a little time to sit together and genuinely listen. “For me, connection is everything,” she said.
Banuelos’ work demonstrates that becoming involved on campus does not always require a major commitment. It can start with visiting the Student Union, attending an event, asking for help or beginning a conversation over tea. One small interaction can become the first step toward belonging, leadership and personal growth at CI.
