Being a father can be considered the hardest job for a man. But imagine being a father and a full-time student. Then let’s throw in being Associated Student Inc. president at Sacramento State.

Jesus Andrade fills all those roles and will graduate on May 26 with a degree in philosophy from Sac State. Andrade has been a student at Sac State for six years, president of ASI for four months and is a father of three boys.

“(I) could rule a country, have all the money in the world, but being a dad is a blessing because you never really grow up saying you want to be a dad,” Andrade said.

He said his role as a father has helped him in all aspects of his life such as education, leadership roles and not giving up on his dreams.

“They are the reason I just get up in the morning and get things done,” he said.

Born in Stockton, Andrade said he never thought about going to college until his senior year at Franklin High School.

He said he spent most of high school being the quarterback for the football team and was never involved with student government in high school.

It was when Andrade took classes like philosophy, psychology and ethnic studies at Sac State after entering in 2001, that he took an interest in competitive politics. He said the classes really opened up a way of thinking that his high school did not give him.

Oscar Cardenas, Andrade’s friend of 10 years and godfather of his youngest child, describes him as intelligent, passionate and spiritual.

“He wants to do what he loves and he loves what he does,” Cardenas said.

Cardenas also said Andrade is a great friend.

“Only the real ones stick around and only particular people stick around you and grow with you, and he’s still here,” he said.

Andrade is a member of Epsilon Sigma Rho fraternity. During difficult times in 2004, he turned to the International Student Christian Fellowship program at Sac State to build a closer relationship to God.

Andrade forged changes at Sac State this semester such as the One Card discount program, the canned food drive, the 24-hour study lounge and the online book exchange program, changes he said he is proud of.

Patricia Worley, executive director of ASI, said Andrade made himself aware and involved with key issues of students and ASI.

“He cares more about moving important initiatives forward in a manner that is inclusive of others’ needs and perspectives than seeking personal glory or satisfaction,” she said.

Worley said Andrade is committed to his role as a father and is always assessing his academic and leadership responsibilities and the time it demands in relation to being a dad.

“He always places the consideration of his sons into the picture of his current obligations and his decisions about future commitments,” she said.

Andrade said his oldest son, Junior, 5, will likely grow up to be a politician or humanitarian because of his ability to stand up for what he believes in and be vocal about it.

He said he sees his 3-year-old son Aeden growing up to be a scholar because he is intelligent.

His 1-year-old, Brandon, will likely be an athlete because of his great motor skills that surprised Andrade when he grabbed his finger from the incubartor after he was born, he said.

Angela Arriola, a senior sociology major, former ASI president and Andrade’s good friend, said Andrade is a dynamic person because of his experiences as a father.

“He’s doing such a good job because he’s already learned how to set priorities. That’s a skill that he’s learned over time through his own experience,” she said.

Andrade said his advice to next year’s ASI president, Christina Romero, is not simple, but that he has a lot of faith in her.

He said to be firm in her beliefs, but analyze those beliefs, build relationships, stay in tune to what’s going on around campus and make sure she builds a strong team around her because it’s impossible to do things on her own.

The hardest thing Andrade said he learned this semester was trusting himself and not giving up on the love of everyone. He said part of his strength came from his mom, from whom he is extremely grateful

“She’s just my heart,” he said. “She allowed me to dream and to pursue what I want to do in life, and I just want to thank her for never clipping my wings,” he said.

Andrade said he feels bittersweet about graduation.

“Sweet because I am moving on, but bitter because I am leaving some friends behind,” he said.

Andrade said his motto is, “Keep going until someone says ‘no,’ and when they say ‘no,’ you ask them why.”

Gia Vang can be reached at [email protected]