Iese Esera (he/him)
Education
Relevant Expertise Highlights
- Inaugural Host of the California State University's Annual Affordability Summit
- Member of the CSU Strategic Planning Steering Committee This link will take you to an external website in a new tab.
- AB 928: Intersegmental Committee Member
- Board Member, SFSU Foundation Board of Directors
"It is always exciting when the CSU leads with innovation and inspiration. With the nation's most diverse student body, this new AI initiative marks a transformative step toward enhancing student success, equity, and opportunity. I am eager and thrilled to welcome this forward-thinking approach into the CSU, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for empowerment and access for all."― Iese Esera
Profile
Iese Esera (he/him) is the President of the Cal State Student Association (CSSA), the official voice of nearly half a million students in the California State University (CSU) system—the largest and most diverse four-year public higher education system in the nation.
Born and raised in Santa Ana, California, Iese grew up with a deep respect for education, compassion, and drive. From a young age, he trained as a classical vocalist, continuing until the end of his undergraduate career at San Francisco State University. At SF State, Iese earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis on Vocal Performance and Operatic Studies, along with a minor in Political Science, in the spring of 2023. During his time there, he developed a profound passion for public service and returned to SF State in the fall of 2023 to pursue a Master of Public Administration, concentrating on Nonprofit Administration and Higher Education Administration.
Before serving as CSSA President, Iese completed two terms as Chief of Staff and Chair of the Associated Students Board of Directors at SF State. Associated Students Inc. (ASI) is an auxiliary nonprofit organization on the SF State campus, dedicated to serving the student body through co-curricular programs and services. Within ASI, Iese was an active member of the AS External Affairs, Rules, and Social Justice & Equity Committees. He also served on several university committees, including the Title IX Implementation Committee, University Budget Committee, University President’s Extended Cabinet, Honorary Degree Committee, and the Student Health Advisory Committee, among others.
Iese is the first student from SF State to serve on all three Auxiliary Organizations Boards of Directors simultaneously. In January 2024, he was awarded the AOA Scholarship Award of Excellence for his service to SF State’s 22,000 students while embodying academic excellence. In May 2024, he was also reappointed to the SF State Foundation Board of Directors for the third time.
As CSSA President, Iese is the primary representative of CSU students to the CSU Board of Trustees, the CSU Chancellor, the Legislature, and the State of California—representing over 460,000 students. He strategically leads his Executive Officers and CSSA Staff in developing and implementing initiatives, practices, and conversations that help CSSA achieve its mission of advocating for student needs at the systemwide, state, and federal levels.