EOP Trailblazer, Randall (Randy) Senzaki

Randall (Randy) K. Senzaki, was born in a Japanese-American internment camp, a painful reminder of inherent racism that served as an impetus to his lifelong dedication to activism and as a steadfast leader in the pursuit of human and civil rights. Prior to his role as EOP Director at San Francisco State, Mr. Senzaki worked with various community-based organizations, TRiO programs and the CSU in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

As EOP Director, Mr. Senzaki continuously fought to preserve the mission of the program. He often provided testimony at the California State Legislature and took the lead in meeting with legislators individually as well as creating a statewide network of EOP Directors. At San Francisco State, Randy was at the forefront of protecting the program’s integrity and ensuring that the budget funds remained protected.

During his tenure at SFSU, Mr. Senzaki was one of the original leaders in the 1987 development of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), an organization that addresses issues affecting Asian Pacific American students, staff, faculty and administrators. Initially created as a California-based organization, APAHE became a national organization in 2000.

Mr. Senzaki continued his role of activist even after leaving SFSU in the 90’s. Sadly, he passed in 2003 but his vision for EOP would have been for it to continue and further develop the principles upon which it was founded; and that its students would share a collective responsibility in giving back by serving as mentors and leaders, continuing to stand up for human values and rights.