Not knowing anyone when he arrived at Stanislaus State, Adan Maldonado was a little uncertain. As a first-generation college student who had recently moved to California and was still building confidence in English, applying to college felt intimidating.
“Being a first-generation student, it was scary to apply to college; there were a lot of forms that I had never seen, and my English was not even good, but I decided to give it a try,” Maldonado said.
That decision opened the door to a Stan State experience filled with involvement, growth and community. Maldonado, a business administration major with a concentration in marketing from Winton, became involved across campus, working at the University Police Department, New Student Orientation, Housing and Residential Life, the University Student Center Board of Directors and Kappa Sigma fraternity.
“Overall, what I enjoyed the most was meeting new people and spending time in this community,” Maldonado said. “I tried taking as many opportunities as I was able to during my time here, and I will forever be grateful to everyone who supported me along the way.”
Maldonado credits Katie Billiet, his work supervisor in Housing and Residential Life, for having the greatest impact on his time at Stan State. As a marketing student assistant, he was trusted to contribute to content planning, projects and Housing operations in ways that gave him meaningful professional experience.
“I saw myself grow up these past two years working with Housing,” Maldonado said. “Thanks to Katie, I was able to develop skills that will help me through the rest of my life.”
Billiet said Maldonado stood out from his first interview because of his professionalism, humility and drive. She noted that he taught himself English using Duolingo and became known across campus for his positive energy, work ethic and ability to connect with people.
“When walking around campus with him, he seems to know everyone; he’s never met a stranger,” Billiet said. “He is an exceptional team player who consistently brings a strong work ethic and positive energy to everything he does.”
Maldonado said one of the most powerful lessons he learned at Stan State was the value of community. After missing opportunities for involvement earlier in his education, college helped him discover the importance of finding like-minded people, asking questions and saying yes to new experiences.
“I never imagined I would have so many opportunities in college,” Maldonado said. “But I never stopped looking for opportunities, never thought a position was not for me, and I always tried my best to put effort into the work I did.”
After graduation, Maldonado plans to continue as a communications intern with the Turlock Irrigation District and hopes to build a career in communications or marketing in the Bay Area or Central Valley. He plans to give back by using his degree to strengthen the community.
“I plan to use my Stan State degree to improve life in the region by providing transparency and accurate information to the public, supporting local businesses and creating a positive impact on the community.”
#StanGrad File
Name
Adan Maldonado
Hometown
Winton, CA
Degree/Credential
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing
What memories stand out most from your time at Stanislaus State?
“Stanislaus State gave me some great memories. I'm glad I got to experience working for the University Police Department, being a New Student Orientation Leader, doing marketing for Housing & Residential Life, serving as a student director for the University Student Center Board of Directors, and getting involved with the Kappa Sigma fraternity.”
Which faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you, and why?
“My work supervisor, Katie Billiet, had the greatest impact on me. Katie has supported me since I started working as a marketing student assistant for Housing and Residential Life, providing advice and growth opportunities. She always included the marketing team in the Housing and Residential Life operations, allowing my coworkers and me to develop our own projects, run content planning meetings and be involved in tasks that provided great work experience.”
What advice would you give to current and future students?
“My advice to current and future students is to make an effort to get involved at Stan State.”
Note: This article is part of the StanGrad series highlighting Stanislaus State students who are part of the Class of 2026. Read more StanGrad profiles.
