Angela Arriola, Sacramento State’s first woman president of Associated Students Inc. since 1996-97, resigned from her presidency today.

The graduating senior forwarded her formal resignation, which states that her term will end at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, to the ASI Board of Directors this afternoon.

Arriola said she decided to resign in order to focus on her academics. She added that she has been recruited to study public policy at Carnegie-Mellon and Harvard University as a graduate student in fall 2007, after gaining 1-2 years experience in public policy.

Arriola said she has been proud to work with ASI and that she is confident that the board will complete the projects she led in the fall semester.

“It has been my absolute pleasure to serve the ASI Board of Directors and Sacramento State students,” Arriola wrote in a formal statement. “I am very proud of our accomplishments and growth throughout the year.”

The sociology major said she decided to resign because studying at Harvard is a once in a lifetime opportunity. She also admitted that she would have been forced to resign otherwise because her fall semester 1.9 GPA was shy from ASI’s 2.0 GPA requirement.

“In the long run, my education is what’s most important,” Arriola said Monday evening. “I feel it’s the right decision for me right now.”

Arriola said that having to leave her position is hard but said she has done her best.

“I put my heart in it,” Arriola said.

Per ASI bylaws, Jesus Andrade, ASI’s executive vice president, will carry out the presidency for the spring semester. Andrade’s term as ASI president will take effect on Wednesday morning.

“I am really happy that we have an executive vice president who is totally capable and wiling to finish the project we’ve already started,” Arriola said. “He’s going to add his own flair. I’m very confident that he’ll do a good job.”

Arriola’s resignation leaves a vacant spot for an executive vice president on the ASI board. Applications for the position is open to all qualified students.

Check www.statehornet.com for updates

Nika Megino can be reached at [email protected].