For more than 30 years, Jaime Leal has embodied the spirit of service, community, and belonging that CSUDH desires to instill in its students. Today, as interim executive director of the Loker Student Union (LSU), Jaime leads with the same integrity, humility, and authenticity that defined his earliest days on campus as a student in the mid-1990s.
Leal’s journey as a Toro began shortly after he left the U.S. Army. With support from the GI Bill, he came to CSUDH to pursue a business degree with an emphasis in accounting, as well as to continue his passion for athletics as a member of the men’s soccer team. Like so many Toros, he balanced academics with work, taking a student assistant position in the student union’s maintenance department to help cover the cost of his education.
That part-time opportunity would become the foundation of a remarkable career. As an undergraduate student, Leal was hired as a custodian and quickly earned a reputation for his reliability, attention to detail, and integrity. He soon advanced to custodian supervisor, and later to facilities scheduling and guest services roles. Each new opportunity helped put Leal at the center of daily operations, strengthening his understanding of the value that student-centered organizations have for a campus community.
A pivotal moment for Leal came in 2006, while attending the Association of College Unions International conference in Kansas City. It was there that he began to fully appreciate the broader purpose of his work. “I saw how college student unions across the nation and around the world foster belonging and connection,” Leal says. “I saw how these spaces I helped maintain every day profoundly shape the student experience. That’s when my mindset shifted, and I saw my work as an opportunity to pay forward the support I had received as a student.”
From there, Leal continued building upon his expertise, stepping into fiscal management and budgeting roles that deepened his understanding of the organization and sharpened his skills and ability to serve students and fellow staff. In early 2025, with a three-decade-long record of leadership across a variety of areas, Leal was appointed interim executive director of the Loker Student Union.
Throughout his years at CSUDH, Jaime has remained committed to leading with empathy and authenticity. He believes in the power of relationships, particularly the mutual trust that gets nurtured over time and through shared purpose.
“Whether working alongside colleagues or mentoring student assistants, I’ve always strived to create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and connected,” Leal says.
“Jaime truly embodies what it means to be a Toro,” says Dr. Mayra Soriano, associate vice president for Belonging & Engagement, the cluster that oversees the LSU. “His leadership and dedicated service to our campus community have made a significant and lasting impact. He is a valued member of the Toro family.”
Beyond professional advancement, Leal’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education, community, and service, as well as a powerful reminder of the countless ways that dedicated staff members can shape the student experience at CSUDH every day.
