In April, Fresno State students elected Camalah Saleh as the next Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) president. Serving as the first Muslim ASI president, Saleh represents a population of roughly 24,000 students.

Saleh’s upbringing

Saleh and her family immigrated from Yemen to Sanger, California in 2007 when she was 3 years old. 

“I grew up in a very small town and [with] very much family-oriented values,” Saleh said. “My parents did nothing but teach me how to be a good person.”

Saleh’s faith in Islam was established at a young age and continues to serve as a prominent pillar in her life. 

“I put on the hijab when I was 13, actually, and my parents were very happy,” she said. “It was amazing just seeing my older sisters and my mom wearing it, and just the beauty of it.” 

With Saleh’s father owning a business and her mother at home raising her and her five siblings, Saleh explained that her upbringing was rich with inspiration and love. 

“My role model is very much my dad [and] my parents in general, they don’t have educational degrees, but they are the embodiment of hard work,” she said. “My mom would walk me to school every day [and] she would come to donuts with mom, even though she didn’t speak English.”

One of her siblings is her older brother, Mohamed Saleh, who graduated from Fresno State in 2024. He, although playfully described by Saleh as a “hater,” is incredibly proud of his sister.

“Just her being able to achieve so much and do a lot, getting notice and rewards, [is] overall really exciting for her and I know it’s her passion,” Mohamed said. “Me and my parents really support her.”

Even through the constant lighthearted sibling relationship that the two share, Mohamed saw the seriousness of Saleh’s advocacy work and how genuine her passion is toward helping others.

“Growing up, she always cared, and now I see that she’s really passionate about a lot of changes, and overall, she really has a nice, soft heart,” he said.

In the world of ASI

Having never been involved with ASI prior to her election, Saleh boldly decided to run for ASI president for her final year at Fresno State. 

She said that her vision for Fresno State and the encouragement of those around her drove her to take the leap.

“A big reason is just being so involved in my student organizations and being a part of the community for three years at Fresno State [and] just realizing where change could be,” Saleh said. 

These were driving factors, but the actual idea of running was born out of laughter.

“I was at my internship at [Fresno] City Hall, and I joked about it, and me joking about it once [led my peers] to see the potential in me,” she said. “They’d always be like, ‘are you running,’ and I was like, you know what, I’ll run.”

Saleh’s running mate, Vice President of External Affairs Danielle Vu, got involved with ASI after Saleh reached out to her and asked to campaign together. 

The two have known each other since their freshman year of college.

“I think what I admire most about Camalah is her resolve; she will get things done,” Vu said. “I feel like I am very much the same, we both agree that at the end of the day, as long as we get the job done, that’s all that matters.”

Though Vu and Saleh joined as a professional team in pursuit of ASI positions, their raw friendship holds a special significance in Vu’s life.

“What I love about Cam is that she keeps it so real, she’s one of the most real people I know,” Vu said. “Whenever I’m with Cam, she just gets my jokes.”

Vu explained that they each share the same goal, which is to prioritize the student body at Fresno State.

“I want to make sure that, no matter what, we just stay committed to helping Fresno State students,” Vu said. “I think both of us are very dedicated to public service.”

Former ASI President Faith Van Hoven shared a similar sentiment of excitement in a statement she provided to The Collegian about Saleh’s pending presidency in April.

“Fresno State will be in great hands with President Elect Saleh,” Van Hoven said. “She is bringing such a fresh, vibrant and passionate spirit to ASI and I know the students are just as excited as I am to see what she accomplishes! My hope for her as I step down is that she takes advantage of the position, but she also knows when to step back and prioritize her well-being. Being ASI president is such an honor and I am glad it is going to be given to Camalah Saleh!” 

Outside of ASI

Saleh is currently double-majoring in political science and communications. 

After college, she plans on attending graduate school and furthering her work in community support by becoming an immigration attorney. 

“Growing up and being an advocate for my parents [had led me to] advocate for myself,” Saleh said.

“I advocate for other communities— it’s just a belief that is so deeply instilled in me.” 

Aside from ASI and her classes, Saleh enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops with her friends and watching TV shows.

“Gilmore Girls is my all-time favorite. I’ve binge-watched it four times all the way through,” she said. 

Saleh met her good friend, Francine Velasco, when Saleh was a senior in high school and Velasco was a freshman at Fresno State.

They connected through a 30-minute impromptu phone call when Saleh asked to discuss opportunities offered at the Smittcamp Family Honors College, which Saleh had just been accepted into, and Velasco was already a part of. 

“She’s the type of person that you would call if you’re in a situation or predicament, and she will never complain about it,” Velasco said. “She’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, every time I talk to her, I’m always giggling or laughing.” 

When Velasco received news that Saleh had won the ASI presidential election, she described her reaction as “jumping for joy.”

“I think I texted everyone I knew,” Velasco said. 

Saleh was officially sworn into office on June 2, along with the other newly elected members of ASI. The first ASI senate meeting of the fall semester will be held on Sept. 3 in the Resnick Student Union Room 207 at 4 p.m.