Meet your A.S. BOARD OF DIRECTORS for 2024-2025:
Hey everyone! I’m David Duncan, and I’m running to be your next A.S. President. I
want to be your advocate at SMC – helping our students succeed by removing barriers
to success and providing support to those in need. As a low-income student born and
raised in LA, I understand what it’s like to struggle with all my responsibilities.
In addition to my studies, I’ve worked two part-time jobs, lead environmental justice
campaigns, volunteered in my community, and cared for my elderly grandparents. These
experiences have taught me resilience – and how to advocate for what matters.
I’m passionate about improving access to housing, enhancing our transit system, and creating new opportunities for our student body. In my free time, I’m an organizer for environmental justice and climate causes – I love hiking and foraging, so protecting nature is my personal priority.
This year I’ve been honored to serve as your Director of Budget Management – and I’ve made it my priority to go beyond the spreadsheets and the numbers. I will do whatever it takes to support you. This year, I traveled to Sacramento and Washington D.C. to advocate for our students – such as increasing federal work study jobs and ensuring that the FAFSA is accessible for undocumented students.
Above all, I want to make sure every student on our campus has their voice heard. I want an open-door policy – being open and accessible to anyone who wants to contribute their voice to SMC. Let’s build a more inclusive and supportive community together!
A.S. CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS: ARTICLE II: A.S. BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
SECTION 6: VACANCIES & APPOINTMENTS
- In the event if any position(s) is vacant during the general election, a special election
can be held to fill the position(s).
- The student trustee position must be completed through a special election process and cannot be appointed by A.S
- In the event of a vacancy of any position during the academic year, the A.S. Board must open an application process to fill the vacancy......
Every student’s voice, no matter big or small, has the potential to ignite great change
within our educational institutions. In the words of William Butler Yeats, “Education
is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” My name is Tiffany Lee,
and I am thrilled to be running for your next A.S Secretary.
Currently serving as President Commissioner, along with secretary roles in student government and clubs in high school has equipped me with the ability to create my own effective system in the safekeeping of records, effective communication between different academic departments, and most of all maintain a standard of transparency. I am confident in my ability to serve as not only a reliable conduit of information between Board members but contribute to a healthy communicative environment of diverse opinions and perspectives.
As A.S Secretary, I will use my strengths of time management skills and a strongly motivated work ethic in order to facilitate a smooth flow of communication between the various functions of A.S. By serving on the Grade Appeals and DPAC Human Resources Committees as a part of my expected responsibilities, I will also make it my duty to advocate for all your individual voices, no matter how distinct, big or small, should you have me as your representative.
A.S. CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS: ARTICLE II: A.S. BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
SECTION 6: VACANCIES & APPOINTMENTS
- In the event if any position(s) is vacant during the general election, a special election
can be held to fill the position(s).
- The student trustee position must be completed through a special election process and cannot be appointed by A.S
- In the event of a vacancy of any position during the academic year, the A.S. Board must open an application process to fill the vacancy......
When I boarded a flight from Colombia to start a new life in L.A, I promised my mother
that all her efforts would be worth it. Thus, a few weeks after starting, I applied
to the Judicial Board in A.S, but was denied as I was only in my first semester. I
come back now, two years later, knowing I am equipped with the necessary experience
to take on a responsibility like this one. I remember falling in love with the International
Student Forum as it gave me some of my closest friends to date. After being a general
member, I soon applied for the board and was appointed as the meeting organizer.
I worked with incredible individuals in creating events within the international community and eventually, was elected as President due to the success of the meetings I helped organize. As club president, I continue to build a space that bridges local and international students in our school. Simultaneously, I worked at the International Education Center and Peer Navigators providing students with resources such as workshops and events, and assisting behind the scenes in organizing some of the biggest events at SMC. I believe that I am suitable for this position because I have prior experience and knowledge I can utilize to help our students. As the Director of Activities, I will persist in making this community a safe space, where everyone is welcome to express themselves in all the different formats through social and academic events.
Hello, my name is Louisiane, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Director
of Student Outreach position at SMC.
As someone who is deeply passionate about fostering a sense of community and belonging among people, I believe I have the dedication and vision required to make a meaningful impact in this role.
When I moved to America a few years ago, I struggled with integration and mental health, similar to what many students experience. I know how challenging it can be to feel like you don’t belong in your community, and I am committed to positively impacting SMC students so that everyone feels welcome.
I am currently Commissioner for the A.S President, and I’ve been working on projects to address issues and implement solutions to improve student life.
If elected as your Director of Student Outreach, I pledge to strengthen communication, ensuring your voices are heard, and your ideas are valued. I will strive to create more inclusive spaces and opportunities for students from all backgrounds to engage and connect with one another.
I am committed to serving as a bridge between the student body and administration, ensuring that your needs and aspirations are at the forefront of our collective efforts to enhance our college experience.
Together, we can build a more connected, inclusive, and vibrant community. I humbly ask for your vote and support in the upcoming election. Let’s work together to make a difference at SMC.
Sincerely,
Louisiane Marie-Tardon
Hi corsairs! My name is Valeria Castillo, my friends call me Val. I’m a first-year
student planning to major in Economics. In my free time I like to run, meditate and
read about philosophy. I believe in a world where everyone has the ability to succeed
and I am committed to taking part in that fight. I am passionate about making sure
every voice is heard and every perspective is given a place. I didn’t have an easy
time in high school, I struggled in a lot of my classes due to my disabilities but
I was able to make it thanks to the support that I had. That’s when I knew I wanted
to do the same thing for others. Today, Santa Monica College has made me the person
that I am, and I am excited at the opportunity to give back to my community. I am
certain that through collaboration we can make SMC a place where everybody feels included,
supported and connected. That is why I am running for A.S. Director of Equity and
Diversity!
Hi Everyone!
My name is Semia and I am running for the Director of External Affairs position. I am originally from Poland and Tunisia, and I am majoring in engineering. I have always been passionate about student advocacy, in fact, I was the President of the Student Government at my high school. I want to make a positive impact and serve as your liaison between the Associated Students and our Corsair community.
Advocacy lies at the heart of my candidacy and I will work tirelessly to ensure that your voices are heard by the local legislators. I understand the importance of effective communication and collaboration in representing our interests, therefore, through my candidacy, I will ensure that these processes are made more efficient for all.
A.S. CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS: ARTICLE II: A.S. BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
SECTION 6: VACANCIES & APPOINTMENTS
- In the event if any position(s) is vacant during the general election, a special election
can be held to fill the position(s).
- The student trustee position must be completed through a special election process and cannot be appointed by A.S
- In the event of a vacancy of any position during the academic year, the A.S. Board must open an application process to fill the vacancy......
A.S. CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS: ARTICLE II: A.S. BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
SECTION 6: VACANCIES & APPOINTMENTS
- In the event if any position(s) is vacant during the general election, a special election
can be held to fill the position(s).
- The student trustee position must be completed through a special election process and cannot be appointed by A.S
- In the event of a vacancy of any position during the academic year, the A.S. Board must open an application process to fill the vacancy......
Hello! I'm Gabriel, and I'm thrilled to announce my candidacy for Director of Publicity.
Currently serving as President of the I.D.E.A.S. club, where I advocate for undocumented
students, my goal as Director of Publicity is to spotlight campus events and share
student stories. I am dedicated to raising awareness about every service that SMC
offers to support you academically, personally, and emotionally. With my knowledge
in social media and Marketing, I ensure effective communication and outreach, bridging
our digital and physical communities so that our voices are heard wherever we are.
I aspire to use this position to amplify every voice and foster connections, advocating
not just for Latino, undocumented, and Indigenous students, but also for first-generation
individuals. I am committed to being a voice for all, building a campus community
of equity, inclusion, and opportunity for growth is within reach
My name is Julia Kowalski and I am running for A.S. Director of Sustainability! I
am a motivated environmental advocate, and I get things done. Before coming to SMC,
I worked for a venture capital firm that invests in sustainable food innovation. There,
I promoted plant-based food startups like Good Catch and Meati, and connected them
to grants and other funding opportunities. After arriving at SMC last year, I worked
with “Students For Safer Streets” to promote the “Healthy Streets LA” measure, which
makes transportation more sustainable by mandating the construction of protected bicycle
lanes and infrastructure that reduces traffic. This bill just passed in the March
2024 primary, thanks to the coalition of university support we helped to build! As
the current primary commissioner of sustainability, I am working to implement the
installation of 10 solar umbrellas on campus!
I believe there is much more that we can do to improve environmental sustainability
at SMC. Some of the projects I plan to push for include:
-adding 12 more water bottle refilling stations on campus to lessen the purchase of
bottled water,
-increasing plant-based options in the cafeteria to encourage healthy, low CO2-footprint
eating on campus,
-increasing access to recycling and composting bins, including placing bins in the
quad where students eat and where flyers are often distributed.
These are not just vague possibilities – these are things we can put into place by January 1, 2025, and I am eager to get started. Thanks for your vote!
My name is Esmeralda Hernandez, and I’m running to be your student trustee!
As SMC’s student trustee, I would be your voice on the Board of Trustees, who are the top decision-makers at our college. My main goal is to advocate for you - bringing the board and students closer together and making sure that they understand your needs and your voices.
Over the past two years I’ve served as your Director of Equity and Diversity and then as your Director of External Affairs. Throughout my time as a director, I’ve come to understand the struggles that our students face. I am a first-generation student - my parents immigrated to the US from Oaxaca, Mexico, where they were unable to access higher education. For me, Santa Monica College is more than just a school - it’s an opportunity to learn and grow as a person while getting an affordable education. My experiences have allowed me to understand the struggles that our students face and the opportunities that community college provides.
The California Community College system serves 2.1 million students - more than the CSUs, UCs, and privates put together. I understand why students like me come to SMC. My journey has given me a second chance in my academic journey - and it reflects the experiences of so many others.
This is why I’m running for student trustee. Representation matters, and I will make our students a priority - embracing the diversity on our campus and ensuring that all students have a voice at SMC.
My name is Eduardo, I'm currently attending my second semester here at SMC in which
I plan to major in Architecture! During my free time I like to travel around LA, seeing
around the sights and exploring the numerous activities this city has to offer with
close friends. As a result, one of the reasons why SMC caught my attention is due
to the variety of activities and programs this campus provides. I’m involved within
numerous activities and programs that SMC provides such as Scholars, EOPS, and the
Adelante Club. These programs have uplifted me in thriving throughout my time in SMC
and I believe others fellow students find value in these programs as well. As a result,
I believe I can uphold the prosperity of activities and programs to function orderly
as a member of the Judicial Board Committee.
Hi everyone! My name is Jinxi Zhang. I'm currently studying Political Science here.
And now, I've decided to run for a position on our school's Judicial Board. My journey
through Political Science has taught me the importance of fairness and justice, not
just in theory, but in everyday life.
I’m all about making our school a place where everyone feels respected and heard. As a potential Judicial Board member, I promise to approach every issue with empathy and fairness. Whether it’s resolving conflicts or reviewing policies, I’ll always strive to ensure every decision is made with integrity and understanding.
I believe in a community where every voice matters. That’s why I want to be there for you, not just as a rule enforcer, but as a listener and a problem-solver. I’m confident in my ability to bring positive changes to our board and our community, thanks to my strong communication skills and team spirit honed through both my studies and personal experiences.
Support me in making our campus a fairer, more inclusive place. Let’s work together to uphold the highest standards of justice and respect for all. Thank you.
A.S. CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS: ARTICLE V: JUDICIAL BOARD,
SECTION 3: COMPOSITION
- The Judicial Board consists of five (5) Justices.
- The positions are a part of the general student election. In the event of a vacancy, the I.C.C. delegation shall appoint any vacant student justice positions via an application process during an ICC meeting, who has applied for the position of Justice, to serve on the Judicial Board.....