By: Derek M. Fleming

Curtis Grima is vice president of academic affairs for Associated Students, Incorporated. He also is a student assistant at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Grima has also been recently appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees. Grima writes and edits the company newsletter as a communications assistant for Teichart Construction on his nights and weekends. With all this going on in his life, he is carrying seven units on his way to the completion of his bachelor’s degree in the split major of government and journalism.Grima began his career at Sacramento State because of baseball, but quickly turned to journalism. Journalism led to student government, where Grima has excelled. “Writing for the State Hornet, I realized that I could write an article and try to influence others to make change. I realized that, for me, I’d rather be making those decisions myself,” Grima said. Grima was an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon for four years, a staff writer for The State Hornet for two years and a member of ASI since his freshman year. “The reason I joined (SigEp) was because it was a social organization, with strong business and academics. The frat likes to have fun, but they also produce leaders. SigEp has the highest GPA of any fraternity on campus.”He shares his busy life with his girlfriend and his dog, Marley, a Jack Russell and Corgi mix. “I am really looking forward to taking Marley to the mountains this summer. I have friends who have dogs that like to swim, and I hope my dog swims with them,” Grima said. “I like to go camping and fishing up in the mountains,” Grima said. “It is nice to be able to get away from four jobs, school, and the city environment and just hang around a campfire with friends and relax. Getting up in the morning and catching a fish doesn’t hurt either,” Grima said.Grima’s success comes from a strong network of friends and family. “My family and friends have motivated me to succeed,” Grima said. “They have allowed me to go to college and given me the opportunity to do big things here.”Grima stressed that one of the most important tools to success is time management. “I’ve learned that time management is huge. I have done both, I’ve been disorganized and I’ve been organized. What I learned is that life is a heck of a lot easier when you are organized,” Grima said.Currently, Grima is completing pre-requisites for the Masters program in public policy administration. He has applied to the Senate Fellows program at the Capitol. If he is accepted into the program, he will work on completing the Masters program after completing the Fellowship.Grima sees himself as a leader, someone who is an inspiration to others. “Writing for the State Hornet, I realized that I could write an article and try to influence others to make change. I realized that, for me, I’d rather be making those decisions myself,” Grima said. It’s one thing to be a visionary; it’s another thing to implement your vision.” Derek M. Fleming can be reached at [email protected]