麻豆传媒映画

Every year when a new group of interns come to the accounting firm where she鈥檚 a senior partner, Elsa Romero poses the same question.

鈥淚 always ask, 鈥榃ho are the Aztecs,鈥� because I鈥檓 very proud of being an Aztec,鈥� said Romero.

Romero considers her 1997 bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting at 麻豆传媒映画 as a launchpad to her success in the field, and it has motivated her to become a repeat contributor to 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 annual , which marks its 10th anniversary March 10.

Romero is a former president of the 麻豆传媒映画 Alumni board and now an advisor to the audit committee of The Campanile Foundation, 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 official 501(c)(3) auxiliary. She previously served on the TCF board as well.

In those capacities she recognizes Day of Giving as one of the university鈥檚 most important and impactful fundraising events of the year, giving donors, alumni, the campus community, parents and friends the chance to come together and make a difference.

Last year, Day of Giving drew a record of nearly $489,000 in donations for scholarships, campus programs, athletics, research and more. Some 1,350 donors contributed in the one-day campaign, conducted primarily online.; Donors can select from dozens of specific programs, including the University Library, athletics and each of the individual colleges, if they want to designate their gifts (which are tax-deductible for itemizers as permitted by code).

Romero鈥檚 favorites are the accounting program, the Alumni Cap & Gown Fund, and the Wallace Shatsky Blackburn Courage Through Cancer Fund, supporting students whose lives have been disrupted by either a personal or family cancer diagnosis.

Like many new alumni, Romero said she was somewhat disconnected from her alma mater immediately after graduating. Ultimately she saw what she calls 鈥渁 responsibility to give back to San Diego State for being the guide to my success in my professional life.鈥� She noted that she has held just two jobs in her career, the first of which was lined up before she even walked the graduation stage.

鈥淕etting involved back 鈥� came full circle for me, understanding how valuable my education truly was,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful and prideful of my education from San Diego State.鈥�

A native of California鈥檚 Imperial Valley, Romero is now a partner in the San Diego office of the accounting firm Aldrich CPAs + Advisors, where she has worked for 25 years, and serves on the company鈥檚 leadership board.

Day of Giving appreciates its loyal repeat donors, but Romero said it鈥檚 also a golden opportunity for alumni who have not started to give and especially anyone working for a company that offers matching donations.

When Romero sends emails to her fellow Aztec employees at her firm on Day of Giving, she said her message is plain and simple: 鈥淒on鈥檛 forget where we came from. Don鈥檛 forget who got us here.鈥�

鈥淚 say, 鈥淭his is a day that counts. Let鈥檚 do it.鈥欌��

; early donations may be submitted at any time.