Brianna Campbell / The Collegian
Cheerleader, motivator, mentor, inspiration: these are words used by colleagues, friends and students of Dr. Roberta Asahina at the second annual Mass Communication and Journalism Alumni and Friends Hall of Fame induction on Oct. 29 at California State University, Fresno.
Asahina started at Fresno State in 1984 as the first female faculty member in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism.
“It’s been bliss. Is this heaven? No, it’s Fresno State,â€Â Asahina said about her time at the university.
Asahina knew she wanted to be a teacher her whole life.
She has been a mentor to students for more than 26 years.
According to Asahina, not only does she teach her students something new everyday, but they teach her too. Asahina said that she likes to hold a mirror up to her students face and show them who they are and what they can make of themselves.
Michael Williams, former student of Asahina, said she had a huge impact on him and if it weren̢۪t for her, he wouldn̢۪t be at Fresno State.
“I called her to see what the advertising program is all about, and it was everything I wanted to hear,â€Â Williams said. “She sold me on Fresno State’s advertising program.â€Â
Brandon Lindner, a former student and Fresno State alumnus, said Asahina convinced him to make advertising his emphasis.
According to Lindner, Asahina has a tendency to push students to be the best they can be even when they don̢۪t feel they can do it. She reassures them that they can do anything if they put their mind to it.
Brianna Campbell / The Collegian
“Dr. Asahina was more than a teacher,â€Â Lindner said. “I believe she cares so much about her students that she would do anything she could to help me now, postgraduation, even though I’m working in a different field.â€Â
Linder is now a financial planner and praises Asahina for working him so hard and never giving up on him.
“The lessons she taught me that impact me as a financial planner, were that there are going to be instances where you get tasks that you don’t want to do and might want to hand off to other people,â€Â Lindner said. “These can actually be some of the most rewarding and beneficial projects to take on.â€Â
Linder was one of the five students who performed a rap dedicated to Asahina at Thursday night̢۪s ceremony.
Asahina said she knows each of her students and remembers each of the campaigns. She has taken seven teams from Fresno State to the American Advertising Federation̢۪s National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC).
According to the American Advertising Federation̢۪s Web site, each year a corporate sponsor provides a team with its history and current advertising situation. The team must research its product and design a campaign for the client.
Travis Huff, an alumnus from Fresno State, was a part of the Yahoo campaign.
“I remember our long nights, and excited dreams of taking down the NSAC. When we took fourth our dreams were crushed, but Roberta just smiled and said ‘great job,’â€Â Huff said.
“Dr. Asahina is a friend, an inspiration and mentor,â€Â Huff added, “She has inspired me to stay aggressive and energetic throughout life’s struggles.â€Â