MEET THE ADDITIONAL FIVE (5) MEMBERS OF THE A.S. BOARD ELECT 2022-2023!
Alyssa Arreola
Candidate Statement: Hey SMC! It’s a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Alyssa Arreola and I am running for Vice President. Since my youth, I’ve had a passion within me to help others, always finding myself looking for ways to both guide and inspire those around me. To be a student leader within the Associated Students would grant me the opportunity to make a difference in this world, one step at a time. In high school and beyond, I have been an officer for various clubs such as my school’s NAMI club or our Social Justice and Awareness club to holding board positions in clubs at SMC such as AGS, College Leap, and even working as a commissioner for the current A.S. President. Through this work, I have fallen in love with becoming a driving force for students to feel supported and seen, learning patience and perseverance as I continue on. Within this position, I can adequately provide a safe space for all students at SMC. I’d also be better able to nurture positive mindsets, opportunists working towards the common good for the betterment of our peers. If given the opportunity, I plan to provide activities that are “hands-on”, being able to create strong bonds with my fellow peers on a personal level, guiding others to pursue their dreams, and being a successful and determined driving force in both our education and personal lives. Ultimately, my main goal is for everyone to know your voice matters, your thoughts matter, and you deserve to be heard. I would be honored to be your next Vice President. This is our home, let’s make it an unforgettable one.
Seongmin Cecilia Jeong
Candidate Statement: Versatility, Vision, and Vocalization! My name is Cecilia, and I am currently serving as the new Director of Publicity. I’m behind the A.S. social media, designs, and other event elements. Every week has been gleaming with events and agendas…and it would be my pleasure to walk alongside the A.S. team from the beginning of the journey next year as the Director of Student Assistance! Since immigrating from South Korea, I’ve been on an F-2 Visa until the unfortunate Covid years, when I became the only undocumented member of my family. Oftentimes, students in underprivileged socioeconomic standings have other family emergencies that affect mental health; I’ve experienced how much of a helpless experience the absence of legality or financial stability can be firsthand. As an all-rounded and active community member anywhere, I’ve been working part time jobs locally while being a student leader at SMC—but after getting to know my peers (many of whom were experiencing trouble with navigating resources), I’ve realized that SMC is the very community I want to prioritize. There is immense power in a nurturing environment of equitably extended open opportunities, and I think community college is a much needed healthy step towards a more constructive and loving world. I especially hope to connect more students who started at SMC during Covid with school resources and involvement; our peers’ virtual pain and exhaustion are felt on a personal level. No matter how your disadvantageous environment affects you, there are many things to look forward to :)!
Evan Vasquez-Gomez
Candidate Statement: Hello SMC students! My name is Evan Vasquez-Gomez and I am in my third year at SMC. My current major is Ethnic Studies but I plan to switch to Native American studies when I transfer. My career goals involve teaching Indigenous education because I believe there should be more access to learning about the first peoples to live in what is now known as the United States. I would be honored to be the elected representative for A.S. Director Student of Student Outreach for next year because I want to be involved in developing the agenda and providing and promoting educational resources for students. Not only do I want to publicize SMC resources and opportunities that have significantly helped me but I would also like the chance to grow more connections with students, clubs, counselors, and other A.S. board members. If elected, I aim to assist in building new resources and other agenda priorities at SMC that are student-centered. I will do my best to bring new outlooks, ideas, and projects to promote/create SMC resources for SMC students. On a personal note, I want to push myself to apply and run for this position to become more involved with SMC. I am a current (late-term) Adelante board member and I enjoy the social experience and engagement I gain from the club. I look forward to expanding that experience, my civic commitments, and leadership here to the A.S. board
Francis Yang
Candidate Statement: Hey, humans! My name is Francis Yang and I’m running for “Director of Activities” (DoA) because I love meeting new people and having fun. I’m ethnically Taiwanese and Dutch but I grew up both in Taiwan and in the US. This is my second semester at SMC and I definitely felt that there could’ve been more social events this year. As your DoA, I’d like to make that change. I have a substantial amount of experience in hosting events and my previous work experiences will complement my duties effectively. My main goal as DoA is to boost student engagement. For many, socializing at SMC is difficult because our school work and individual commitments take up most of our energy. Furthermore, the pandemic has made it even more difficult for us to socialize. Hence, I want to host fun and meaningful events that make the best out of our student life at SMC. Hopefully, my events can help students find a sense of belonging and bridge the barriers between students of different cultures: ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, language, and customs. I’d like to foster a wholesome and inclusive environment for students of all different cultures to socialize.
Catalina Fuentes Aguirre
Candidate Statement: My name is Catalina Fuentes and I am running for the position of Student Trustee. I am a Chemical Engineering major and a student leader. Through my positions as the Chair of the Inter-Club Council and a Peer Navigator, I have noticed that many students are unaware of how much their voices and inputs matter. I am running for this position because I am invested in making student voices heard. As the liaison between the Board of Trustees and the A.S. Board, I plan to use my future position to listen to the concerns of all my constituents and make sure the Board of Directors is aware of any issues concerning our student body. My current experiences in student leadership roles have inspired me to run for this position. If elected, I would make sure all of the members of our SMC community are being heard. As the Student Trustee I will advocate for the student body and ensure our needs are being met. It is my dream to ensure we, as a students, understand how important our voices are.
For those that don’t know me I am the current A.S. Director of Student Advocacy. In
my current position I have amplified the students' voices by advocating for students'
needs and concerns that they express to me. In doing so I secured $100 SMC bookstore
vouchers for course material, free period products in SMC’s bathrooms (coming soon),
for Lyft rides to be provided to students for Giving Thanksgiving participants, funding
for DSPS students to have access to more technology. I continue to advocate for alternative
testing options, early Canvas and syllabus access, doubling the Pell Grant and various
other student expressed needs and concerns. When the student body elected me Director
of Advocacy. My goal was to live up to your expectations. Your voices have always
been heard through me. Students' interests have come first in all my actions as I
have even donated my own A.S. stipend to assist students. I strive to be the leader
you elected. By advocating for students, fighting for school policy reform and bringing
injustices to light. As you believed in me before, I ask that you continue to believe
in me and I respectfully request that you vote for me Kamiko Greenwood for A.S. President.
Never forget, I am the same advocacy girl with the same goals and values just running
for a higher position so that I can better serve you the students of SMC Making change
happen!
Hi!!! My name is Denise. I study Mathematics at SMC since Fall 2021. I had been the
secretary for a year in the Student Association when I was in the 11th grade of high
school. I was exhausted with around 40 agendas and minutes. Besides that, this year,
I am continuing working with the Secretary of SMC A.S. to accomplish the minutes and
agenda as commissioner this Spring semester. I have already attended several A.S.
meetings. I fully understand the process of the A.S. meeting and got an array of experience
in doing the agenda and minutes. I am confident that I can handle it well. I running
for Secretary not only because of getting a lot of experience, but I also want to
be a channel of communication between SMC students and school during this pandemic
time. I know there is part of students who got problems in their life physically or
mentally during this difficult time. Especially international students studying in
a foreign country. I will try my best to help you if I was elected to be the Secretary.
Please feel free to contact me via email if you face any problems. Personal Note:
“I am not only the Secretary of A.S., but I am also your friend who gives you support
anytime in anywhere.” Fun Fact: My dream is to be a secretary in the future. If I
can be the A.S. Secretary, I am one step closer to my dream.
If you believe the Director of Budget Management should be someone you can trust to
put students' needs first, then I am the Director of Budget Management you should
vote for. My goal is to help the student body as a whole to achieve their academic
visions. If elected, I would ensure that students' money is spent on initiatives and
programs that assist in their success. I will follow fiscal policy and put students'
interests first. I assisted in advocating for the virtual scavenger hunt with Kamiko
Greenwood at the A.S. Finance Committee and plan on supporting events such as this
to promote student success. I was the Vice President of the Muslim Student Association,
Phi Theta Kappa Historian commissioner, ICC Delegate and I have successfully completed
Statistics which will be useful working with large sets of numbers, managing and creating
a budget for the student body. I will be working to ensure that funds are poured back
into the student body. I will not only count your change, but my slate members also
The Student Advocates and I are the change that is necessary for a stellar upcoming
year. So, vote for Tabassum Raisa and my fellow members of “The Student Advocates.”
As students you can bank on us, we will treasure your vote!
Working as a student tutor at Santa Monica College’s Writing and Humanities Center
for the past three semesters, I’ve learnt a lot about how instructional support works
and can help students succeed. It is important that as a school we make it our priority
to establish an instructional support system that is more accessible and inclusive
to all. Rather than addressing instructional support with a standardized, one approach
fits all method, I believe that we should engage with students as unique beings seeing
that each student has different needs. We need to design our instructional support
system to meet the needs of a wide range of students, that reflects the diverse population
we have here at Santa Monica College. I hope to be able to work with all of you next
year to help foster a community that supports and benefits us all.
Hello, fellow student of Santa Monica College! My name is Esmeralda Hernandez, and
I am running for director of equity and diversity. I am currently in my first year
at SMC and am of Mexican background. I am the first generation to go to college in
my family. My passion in life is to make a difference in the world, specifically in
my community. I was raised in a black and brown community where I was exposed to different
cultures and backgrounds at a young age. My passion has led me to want to give back
to my community and has led me to major in nursing. I am currently a member and volunteer
of a non-profit folklorico organization that brings cultural awareness of the Indigenous
people of Mexico called Oaxaca through our dances. I am group leader and event coordinator
for this group, alongside the dance group's director. Being a group leader has given
me the opportunity to learn skills in public speaking and leadership, as well as how
to work as a team with others and understand everyone's perspective. I am also part
of Adelnate, and being part of Adelnate has taught me that my community has my back,
and I can give back to my community by becoming your director of equity and diversity.
As Director of Equity and Diversity, I will strive to advocate for diversity, student
protection rights, and inclusion and help create an empowering community at SMC together!
My name is Tyrel Deveyra. I am a Sociology major also pursuing Associates degrees
in public policy and ethnic studies. I've previously worked as commissioner for the
Associated Students president and have served on the committee for Institutional Effectiveness.
Despite numerous COVID-related hardships and restrictions, both faculty and the student
population have consistently demonstrated overwhelming resiliency in not just surviving
the pandemic, but thriving despite of it. I'm driven by a personal obligation to give
back to that same community of that has repeatedly inspired me to work towards my
goals, and to the institution that has enabled me to do so. It would be my commitment
as Director of Student Advocacy to replicate those same positive experiences for others
by embracing the inherent responsibility of that role; to represent the interests
of the student body, particularly the voices of the marginalized and underrepresented.
SMC as an institution should be no less than absolutely committed to the acceptance,
inclusivity, and collective well being of its students, with zero tolerance for discrimination.
SMC boasts various counseling and social programs designed with the specific function
of providing aid and guidance to the underprivileged; students that are people of
color, formerly incarcerated, undocumented, financially disadvantaged, and plenty
more. I hope to expand those programs and continue to enrich SMC's legacy of protecting,
serving, and providing a voice for those whose struggle often go unheard. I believe
true and meaningful advocacy is centered on compassion, awareness, and direct action.
It's my vision to ensure that SMC embodies those same virtues and that no student
is ever hesitant to speak out and express their concerns out of fear of being shot
down.
Hello fellow SMC students! My name is Chloe Heo, and I am running for A.S Director
of Publicity. I am currently in my first year at SMC, and this is my second semester.
I'm from South Korea, majoring in Communication studies. One of my strengths is that
I am easy-going and have good communication skills. Being a part of A.S Director and
serving in this leadership position will give me great opportunities to learn from
this. Being a leader has helped me develop my organization skills and enthusiasm.
As your A.S. Director of Publicity, I will do my best to communicate with you to create
media and public awareness of SMC!
Hello SMC student (: My name is Veronica Lin, and I am running for the Director of
Sustainability. This is my second semester at SMC and currently majoring in Environmental
studies. I am an environmental advocate, I am here to provide efficient environmental
protection and environment to everyone. We consciously used resources from the environment
but unconsciously created burdens to the environment. I had the experience of executing
a plan of reducing 5% of rubbish in my community in Taiwan. It was difficult initially
as I battled with several negative thoughts, a storm of emotions, and most importantly,
denial. However, I succeeded. My goal is to implant environmental awareness among
students and successfully reduce carbon dioxide emissions at SMC. I am excited for
the upcoming year and hope to serve you here at SMC.