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.