Candidates running for Spring 2015 ASCC Executive Board in the Campus Center Mall on Nov. 25. The candidates were able to field questions from a moderator as well as from the audience in attendance. ASCC elections are being held on Dec. 3 & 4 in the Campus Center Mall. (Melissa Peña/Clarion)
Candidates running for Spring 2015 student government executive board positions answered questions from a moderator and audience members Nov. 25 during a public forum in the Campus Center Mall.
Seeking the office of vice president and running unopposed, Phoenix McCoy, 25, said because of his experience as ASCC senator, he can address student concerns better than ever before.
“I am running for this board to continue representing the students here at Citrus College and for one more semester, be their voice,” McCoy said. “One thing I learned from being on the board this past semester is working with a group of different people, knowing where they come from and being more open-minded to their struggle rather than concentrating on yourself.”
Pat Cordova-Goff, 18, is one of two candidates running for the office of student trustee-elect.
Cordova said her mission is to represent all Citrus College student concerns at Board of Trustees meetings and at the statewide level.
“I have just grown to appreciate the leadership at Citrus College,” she said. “I plan to continue my leadership on campus if elected as student trustee elect.”
Cordova, who has served as ASCC commissioner of public relations, said her different perspectives and willingness to interact and listen to her peers gives her the edge the ASCC needs.
“I think that the role of the student trustees should be to gather the entire voice of the students,” she said. “I am able to see different perspectives of our students, and I have prior experience on the ASCC board this past semester.”
Also running for student trustee-elect is Alexa Ramirez, 19. She said she is running for this position because she wants to work with the student community.
“I want to become a part of the leadership on campus and be a part of this great community at this school,” she said. “I think working for people who have a different background and different perspective is a really good thing. It helps to have more than one idea so that you’re not limited.”
Six candidates are running for seven senator positions. A candidate must receive at least 50 votes to be elected.
Lisett Leon, 21, is seeking one of the senator seats.
Leon is serving as Inter Club Council secretary, LUSA historian, and secretary of the German Culture Club.
She said she wants to be more involved with school and push the Associated Students of Citrus College’s ideas into action.
“The reason I am running is to voice students concerns,” Leon said. “As senator I know I will represent Citrus proudly and do my best to help students.”
Another candidate seeking a senator position is business major Cameron Wisdom, 24.
Wisdom is currently serving as editor in chief of the Clarion newspaper and president of the Citrus Business Association, positions in which he said give him leadership experience.
“I am running for senator to facilitate change rather than just write about it,” he said. “Everywhere I go I step into a leadership role. I know how to work well with team members.”
Wisdom said his versatile personality is one of his greatest strengths.
“I assimilate well into nearly every group I participate in,” he said. “I don’t try to serve the interest of one particular group on campus.”
Byron Peralta, 19, physics major, said he is running for senator because he hopes to gain leadership experience, contribute a new voice to the board and accomplish goals that the student community can take pride in.
“I would like to put in an opinion for the students,” he said. “I would like to bring the students together.”
Biology major Rene Gutierrez, 21, is running for senator office again because he said wants to address all concerns presented by students in an effort to ensure they are resolved.
“Although I was on the board previously, I feel I have yet to reach my potential,” he said. “I expect to see more student involvement from the numerous activities provided by the ASCC board.”
Communications major Yuki Okuzawa, 21, is also running for senator. She said she plans to serve the needs of Citrus students by connecting the Executive Board and academic departments.
Okuzawa is vice president of fundraising for Phi Theta Kappa honor society and serves as liaison between the chapter and other institutions for fundraising events.
“I know how to work with groups and communicate better with people to include our student community,” she said. “It has increased my tolerance for others.”
Ruben Romero, 21, also running for senator, said he feels he can add experience, discipline, cooperation and a sense of shared responsibility to the board.
Romero said he qualifies for this position because he recognizes the senator role as part of a bigger picture in student government.
“[It is important to] be as good of a leader as you can be and learn to work as part of a bigger team,” he said. “My expectations for next semester are to get more work done.”
she said. “I think working for people who have a different background and different perspectives is a really good thing. It helps to have more than one idea so that you’re not limited.”
Six candidates are running for seven senator positions. A candidate must receive at least 50 votes to be elected.
Lisett Leon, 21, is seeking one of the senator seats. Leon is serving as Inter Club Council secretary, LUSA historian, and secretary of the German Culture Club.
She said she wants to be more involved with school and push the Associated Students of Citrus College’s ideas into action.
“The reason I am running is to voice students concerns,” Leon said. “As senator I know I will represent Citrus proudly and do my best to help students.”
Another candidate seeking a senator position is business major Cameron Wisdom, 24. Wisdom is currently serving as editor in chief of the Clarion newspaper and president of the Citrus Business Association, positions in which he said give him leadership experience.
“I am running for senator to facilitate change rather than just write about it,” he said. “Everywhere I go I step into a leadership role. I know how to work well with team members.”
Wisdom said his versatile personality is one of his greatest strengths.
“I assimilate well into nearly every group I participate in,” he said. “I don’t try to serve the interest of one particular group on campus.”
Byron Peralta, 19, physics major, said he is running for senator because he hopes to gain leadership experience, contribute a new voice to the board and accomplish goals that the student community can take pride in.
“I would like to put in an opinion for the students,” he said. “I would like to bring the students together.”
Biology major Rene Gutierrez, 21, is running for senator office again because he said wants to address all concerns presented by students in an effort to ensure each one is resolved.
“Although I was on the board previously, I feel I have yet to reach my potential,” he said. “I expect to see more student involvement from the numerous activities provided by the ASCC board.”
Communications major Yuki Okuzawa, 21, is also running for senator. She said she plans to serve the needs of Citrus students by connecting the Executive Board and academic departments.
Okuzawa is vice president of fundraising for Phi Theta Kappa honor society and serves as liaison between the chapter and other institutions for fundraising events. “I know how to work with groups and communicate better with people to include our student community,” she said. “It has increased my tolerance for others.”
Ruben Romero, 21, also running for senator, said he feels he can add experience, discipline, cooperation and a sense of shared responsibility to the board.
Romero said he qualifies for this position because he recognizes the senator role as part of a bigger picture in student government.
“[It is important to] be as good of a leader as you can be and learn to work as part of a bigger team,” he said. “My expectations for next semester are to get more work done.”
The election is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4 in the Campus Center.
