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The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

Zac Zavala

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter

Zac Zavala (he/him) is a Bay Area resident who transferred from The Los Angeles Film School as a creative producing major. Originally from Southern California, Zac switched to journalism with a minor in history once he landed at SF State. Zac has vast experience working in the entertainment industry in film and television. Zac is also part of the production team for the Academy Awards and a former Walt Disney Imagineer. Zac is striving to be a groundbreaking producer and multimedia journalist. In his free time, Zac travels to different parts of the world for inspiration and is a runner.

All content by Zac Zavala
SFSU student bikes start to accumulate on the bike rack near the Fine Arts building as the day starts on May 1, 2024. (Zac Zavala / Golden Gate Xpress)

Biking in the Bay: The past, present, and future of bike safety in San Francisco

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter May 21, 2024

Over time, cycling in the city became popular amongst San Franciscans and gradually evolved into the passionate bike enthusiasts groups of cyclists we see in the city today. These groups were pivotal in...

Gator Take: Campus activism works!

Gator Take: Campus activism works!

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter May 13, 2024

San Francisco State University is no stranger to protests driven by students who aim for change and a better future. I’ve felt firsthand the impact of what peaceful campus activism can do for change...

Gator Talk: The untold stories of Cesar Chavez through the eyes of one of his closest colleagues

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Apr 22, 2024

Intro Zac Zavala Welcome back to Gator talk. I'm Zac Zavala reporting for the Golden Gate Xpress and today I have the honor of interviewing Marc Grossman. Our goal for today's conversation dives...

Humanities Building room 301 on April 18, 2024. (Neal Wong / Golden Gate Xpress)

The Incredible Shrinking CSU: Unraveling the Impact of Declining University Enrollment at SFSU

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Apr 19, 2024

California State Universities have noticed steadily declining enrollment rates and are implementing measures to address the phenomenon. It takes time, effort, and money to obtain a college degree. In...

San Francisco State University has several services available to students to prevent substance misuse and potential overdose (Sean Young / Golden Gate Xpress)

Beyond the Buzz: Cultivating awareness, preventing substance abuse

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Mar 22, 2024

The once-busy hallways full of San Francisco State students has now become a ghost town as spring break begins. Leaving their Canvas worries behind, students have an opportunity to finally put their phone...

Gator Take: I’m tired of seeing campus graffiti—why is it still here?

Gator Take: I’m tired of seeing campus graffiti—why is it still here?

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Mar 20, 2024

While walking to my classes every day, I often look around the San Francisco State University campus and notice building walls, bathrooms and art statues tagged with various forms of graffiti. Reminiscent...

An illustration of Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed, a character in the first four Rocky movies, one of his most famous roles. (Adriana Hernandez / Golden Gate Xpress)

From SFSU to Hollywood: Remembering Carl Weathers

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Feb 12, 2024

Carl Weathers, the beloved actor known for the “Rocky” movie franchise and “The Mandalorian” series, and San Francisco State University alum, died on Friday, Feb 2. He was 76. After starring...

(Left to right) Ben Fong-Torres (Ceremony MC), Vincent Matthews, Gwynned Rose Vitello, Lynn Mahoney, Boots Riley, Pramukti Sujaudaja at the 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame at the Ritz Carlton on Nov. 3, 2023. (Courtesy of SFSU - Photos by Stuart Locklear)

Celebrating Bay Area Excellence: SFSU 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Dec 15, 2023

SFSU has acknowledged the prominent achievements of past alumni who have contributed to outstanding accomplishments in the Bay Area. Each of the inductees was honored on Friday, Nov. 3, at The Ritz-Carlton,...

A breakdown of union coverage on campus

Sophia Osborn and Zac Zavala Nov 20, 2023

Welcome back to Gator Talk, the Xpress podcast that brings city perspectives to local, regional and national news. In today’s podcast episode, staff reporters Sophia Osborn and Zac Zavala sit down and...

Fans of Rocky Rivera line up at The Stacks Record Shop, in Hayward, CA for an album signing from Rivera on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. (Zac Zavala / Golden Gate Xpress)

San Francisco State honors 50 years of hip hop

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Nov 7, 2023

On Aug. 11, 1973, one of the most influential music styles was born during a back-to-school party in the Bronx. It was called hip-hop. Hip-hop immediately transformed music and has continued to evolve...

Mark Allen Davis, associate professor in the African Studies department and racial and social justice representative for the California Faculty Association, speaks to protesters on a CFA walk-out on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Kayla Williams / Contributor Golden Gate Xpress)

CSU faculty union votes in 95% approval of strike authorization

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Oct 30, 2023

The California Faculty Association (CFA) has voted to authorize a strike if the negotiations with California State University remain at an impasse. According to Charles Toombs, the president of CFA, 95%...

A banner saying “Strike” lays on the grass during a CSU faculty union strike practice rally.  SFSU students and faculty exercise their right to protest against the tuition hikes and faculty cuts on Wed, Oct. 11, 2023 at SFSU on the Quad. (Kayla Williams / Contributor to Golden Gate Xpress)

Anti-union postcards target SFSU faculty

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Oct 12, 2023

The Freedom Foundation has been targeting CSU faculty by sending them postcards about their union rights and the option to opt out from financial obligations to unions. The postcards specifically mention...

Sean Sliger leads the student workers rally back to Malcolm X Plaza after protesting in front of the administration building on Sept. 21, 2023. (Andrew Fogel/Golden Gate Xpress)

Student Academic Workers set on a tentative agreement with CSU

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Oct 10, 2023

The Union of Academic Student Workers bargained with the CSU system and they have agreed on the three union requirements. Members of the union will vote on the new contract starting on Oct. 9. The three...

(L-R) Sean Sliger and Madison Wang prepare for tomorrow’s academic student union rally, pictured on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Andrew Fogel/Golden Gate Xpress)

CSU Student Employees Union Prepares for Rally

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Sep 20, 2023

The Union of Academic Student Workers is preparing for a rally at the Malcolm X Plaza on Thursday, Sept. 21 at San Francisco State University. Leading up to the rally, UAW has collected petitions that...

CSU Employees Union Continue Fight For Living Wages

CSU Employees Union Continue Fight For Living Wages

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Sep 20, 2023

Members of the California State Employees Union have conducted rallies in support of the fight for pay equity, and these demonstrations are just the start as they prepare for a possible labor strike. Members...

CSU proposed tuition increase is marked to rise 6% over the course of five years which affects not only at SFSU but CSU campuses all over the state, SF State, CA August 28, 2023. (Michaela Mateo/ Golden Gate Xpress)

California State University set to vote on tuition increase, SFSU community weighs in

The front of the Cesar Chavez Student Center was filled with Associated Student board of director members in protest against California State University’s proposed tuition increase on Aug. 30. Their...

SF Pride Parade members fly the Pride flag while marching in the parade down Market St at SF Pride on June 25, 2023. (Zac Zavala / Golden Gate Xpress)

‘Looking Back and Moving Forward’ theme highlighted during SF Pride celebrations

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Jun 26, 2023

The 53rd annual Pride events in San Francisco reached a conclusion under the theme of “Looking Back and Moving Forward.” Bringing the Bay Area community together in a display of unity and progress,...

In celebration of this weekend’s Pride festivities, pride flags decorate the outside of the Four Seasons Hotel on Market St. on June 23, 2023. (Zac Zavala / Golden Gate Xpress)

A peek at upcoming events happening for SF Pride weekend

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Jun 24, 2023

Every year, the city of San Francisco throws the biggest Pride bash in the Bay Area and this year is no different. Marking this the 53rd annual event in the city’s history, this major event from June...

Photojournalists Stephen Lam, Gabrielle Lurie and Nicole Frugé of the SF Chronicle share their photo stories live at Manny’s on June 22, 2023.  (Michaela Mateo / Golden Gate Xpress)

Chronicle Live at Manny’s: A Look through Photojournalist’s Eyes and How They See San Francisco

Zac Zavala, Staff Reporter Jun 23, 2023

The San Francisco Chronicle has been reporting stories since 1865 and is known for its world-class journalism for San Francisco. The newspaper hosted Chronicle Live at Manny’s in the Mission District,...

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Zac Zavala