ASI Announces New Executive Director, Michelle Crawford

San Luis Obispo, Calif. May 4, 2022 — Associated Students, Inc. is pleased to announce Michelle Crawford as Executive Director.

Crawford began her employment with ASI as a student in 2002 and has served as Interim Executive Director since spring 2021. Throughout her career with ASI, she has held numerous positions including student manager, temporary assistant coordinator, coordinator, assistant director, associate director, and director – University Union.

As Executive Director, Crawford will be responsible for the financial, legal, and administrative management of ASI. She will oversee the professional development of the more than 500 student staff and 75 full-time staff and manage ASI’s $16.5 million budget. In addition, Crawford has the responsibility to set the vision and priorities to ensure that ASI-managed facilities, programs, and services connect students with their ultimate college experience.

Crawford will continue to engage with ASI’s student leaders with a focus on shared governance, leadership, and campus-wide collaboration. These connections enable ASI to produce meaningful, empowering, and engaging opportunities for the campus community. The priorities of ASI’s Executive Director continue to be leading the organization and enhancing the relationship between Cal Poly students and their campus.

“I am excited to innovate within our programs and services,” Crawford said. “We plan on doing more work than ever to listen, learn, and understand the needs of students — both current and future. ASI must continually evolve to meet and exceed the expectations of Cal Poly students.”

A large part of that evolution lies in ASI’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the initiatives championed by Crawford. Having established a DEI working group, an Inclusive Excellence Action Plan, and foundational training programming within ASI, Crawford has prioritized dedicating resources to develop and set expectations for the organization.

Crawford earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration (RPTA) from Cal Poly. Currently, she lives in Atascadero with her husband, two daughters, and their dog, Cubby.