Statewide student conference voted a success by ASGC leaders
by Jan Janes on Dec 10, 2019Associated Students of Gavilan College (ASGC) turned out en masse for the fall weekend California Community College Student Affairs Association (CCCSAA) Student Leadership Conference, held annually in Sacramento.
Local student leaders attending this year’s conference, Raising Leaders, Empowering Voices, selected from an array of workshops, activities and caucuses. They brought back new ideas, information, approaches and connections across a growing network of student leaders statewide.
ASGC sponsored 11 officers, two peer mentors, and were joined by ASGC
Advisor Cherise Mantia and Student Life Coordinator Ryan Shook.
During a three-day weekend, Gavilan students learned from community college leaders and speakers presenting more than 40 different workshops and convening five caucuses addressing the needs of students of color, student trustees, spectrum and women, abled and veteran populations.
ASGC President Mariam Hernandez Mendoza viewed the conference a success for the team. “We learned new skills, new ways of doing things,” she said. “We had the chance to network with other students across the state, and all of the team connected with each other.”
ASGC VP of Marketing Reno Brown concurred. “I was overwhelmed with the size of it,” he said. “I enjoyed the opportunity to bond with my team members, meet other community college leaders and learn new skills.” He noted, especially, workshops on event planning and principles of leadership.
“We are not alone in the community college system,” said Brown. “I was surprised to find there are many similarly-sized colleges dealing with the same challenges as we are.”
ASGC VP of Finance Luis Garcia noted the diverse backgrounds and ambitions of the other student leaders attending the conference. “It was a joy to converse with other college students,” he said. “We want to hone the power of our voices and take on responsibility to grow as people.”
Garcia found the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) session most informative. “It provided me an in-depth, detailed outline of my role and the guidelines I must follow.” He also noted the communication skills workshop encouraging students to practice speaking as educated, well-versed adults. “I took it to heart that part of our responsibility involves removing filler words that make others perceive us as unconfident,” he said. The workshop presenter offered techniques for students to adjust their voices to reach their audiences.
ASGC VP of Clubs Caleb Dixon enjoyed collaborating with other people on the floor, bouncing ideas off each other for club ideas. “The conference was valuable for information and learning,” he said. “I learned so much that I can take with me, not just in student government, but after I transfer.”
Ephraim Aung, VP of Activities, reflected that the conference was a great experience. “The most valuable and informative session at CCCSAA was the event planning session, since it coincides with my position,” he said.
“The conference helped build my leadership skills,” said Aung. “I got information on how things are done at other colleges. I also learned about how much power we as a student government have on this campus and in this community.”
Hernandez Mendoza, in addition to attending her first CCCSAA conference,
had another first: presenting at one.
Hernandez Mendoza and ASGC Advisor Cherise Mantia presented Networking Like a Pro at the very first breakout workshop session Saturday morning.
“The workshop was aimed at helping student leaders polish and strengthen their abilities at networking,” she said. “This is my first time ever presenting, and it was incredible, amazing and fantastic!” She raised the possibility that she will return to the CCCSAA conference next year as a presenter.
Hernandez Mendoza thanked participants at the end of her presentation.
The room was filled with 40 chairs and more than 70 people.