Dr. Erica Aros, Leadership Consultant

What an exciting day it was at the SDSU Staff Development Conference!

I had the privilege of being the opening keynote speaker, sharing mini personal stories about how colleagues have shown up for me, challenge me, and bring joy to the workplace.

I also presented for two breakout sessions: “Heart-Led Higher Ed” with Emilio C. Ulloa, PhD (always so fun presenting with you!) and “Connect, Lead, Belong: Employee-Led Networks” (thank you Thelma Chavez and Yiftach Levy for sharing your experiences as ERG leaders).

Thank you Conor P. McLaughlin, PhD and the planning committee for job well done with this year’s conference! It’s always so wonderful to have this time for professional development with our colleagues across campus!

❤️🖤 Today I attended the SDSU Center for Commuter Life 15-year anniversary celebration! My very first position at SDSU was Assistant Director for this center and it was such a rewarding and memorable experience! I got to see .sd6, who ran the center with me 10 years ago, and cheer for and the current team on the amazing work they’ve done. There’s something special about Commuter Life. The space, the staff throughout the years, the students, and the collaborations that happen just have good juju. 🪄 I’m definitely missing my commuter life team from those days! 🥹

I’m excited to share an article I contributed to, written by the talented Cara Hutto on a topic we all have strong opinions about — meetings!

We talk about what makes a meeting effective and how you can maximize the time — think purpose, clarity, and creating space for every voice. Grateful to be part of this thoughtful piece on InHerSight, a women-focused platform.

Give it a read here: https://www.inhersight.com/blog/culture-and-professionalism/what-does-the-perfect-meeting-look-like

I’d love to hear your favorite tip for leading better meetings. 💬

🎓 That’s a wrap on LEAD 405: Enacting Leadership, the capstone course of the Leadership Studies major and minor at San Diego State University!

This semester, I had the privilege of guiding an incredible group of SDSU students through a hands-on leadership journey that blended theory, reflection, collaboration, and real-world application.

Together, we explored:
✨ Compassionate and adaptive leadership
🧠 Psychological safety and inclusive practices
📊 Project management and organizational change
💬 Courageous conversations and giving feedback
🎯 Career readiness and mentorship

Students engaged directly with industry leaders, tackled a Microsoft-sponsored team challenge and reflected deeply on their growth as emerging leaders. We closed out the semester by discussing the art of adjourning—how to leave roles and relationships with intention and care.

I’m deeply proud of the vulnerability, creativity, and courage this class demonstrated every week. Future workplaces will be lucky to have them.

Forever a Highlander! Thank you for an amazing homecoming alumni event! ❤️🐻

Check out the full article on InHerSight.com! I was able to contribute my thoughts about makeup expectations in the professional setting and how leaders can support an inclusive workplace culture with their policies on makeup.

Lupe and I first met when I was her assigned mentor for the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program for the 2017-2018 academic year. Years later here we are reconnecting to catch up and share our goals and aspirations!

I can’t wait to lead a roundtable discussion about Mentor Culture for senior level leaders who are members of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS ! It’s always exciting to see organizations that value and invest in equity training and discussions that will make a difference in workplaces and their employees.

I’m thrilled to share this ResEdChat podcast episode where Dr. Crystal Lay and I discuss workplace culture. Take a listen on Apple or Spotify, or watch the video on YouTube!

What is Workplace Culture? Check out this 1-minute clip where I start answering that question in this podcast episode, and then listen on to hear this important and exciting discussion between host Dr. Crystal Lay and me! I promise it's good. 😄

✂️ What is Workplace Culture? 59 seconds · Clipped by Erica Aros · Original video "ResEdChat Ep 79: Asking the Question: How Does it Feel to Work Here? with Dr. Erica Alcantara Aros" by R...

From meeting each other when I presented about mentorship at ’s Advance program, to brunch at , meeting with (Lou Ortega) has been a highlight for this month! We are mentoring each other via transitional mentorship to be better professionals, better parents, and change makers for women in leadership! 💪🏽

Hello, Facebook community! My name is Erica Aros and I am volunteering my mentorship for women working in education and nonprofit organizations. My professional mission and goal is to see more women of diverse backgrounds and identities in leadership positions.

A bit about me: I am a higher education professional in a director level role and leadership instructor at a large 4-year university, a Filipina-American child of immigrants, a mom of young multi-racial children, and a Ph.D. who studies how mentorship impacts career advancement. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mentors who saw my potential and talents, and decided to invest their time and energy in my path to success.

I am working to fulfill my ongoing mission of empowering women toward leadership through my Mentor Culture Consulting business. I offer training workshops, workplace consulting, and speaking services to help organizations develop and promote a mentoring culture, where women and other underrepresented employees can thrive.

To take advantage of my mentorship offer, where we learn from each other and expand our networks, all you have to do is follow my “Mentor Culture Consulting” page here on Facebook and complete this intake form: https://forms.gle/dYqegEypWnaN6QV9A

I can't wait to meet you!