I have been asked this question so many times since I decided to run for Vice President and have discovered that it is not really about “why I want to apply” but rather “what it is that I can give back to the student body.” To put things simply, I have developed such an enormous passion for student leadership here at Highline, and it would be an understatement to say that it hasn’t been contagious. I will admit I have caught the leadership cold! I have been drawn to the Vice President’s position because it is centralized on campus, and fueled by the student’s voices. I also feel confident that I have the facilitative and organizational skills gained from serving as the S&A Committee Chair that will aid me in fulfilling the V.P. role (for example running biweekly Student Government Meetings.) I would love to put student voices into action!

One thing I love about Highline is that there isn’t a typical “mold” for the students to fit into. Having the most diverse student body in the entire state of Washington, our campus not only allows but emphasizes the importance of these differences and I would be proud to represent them all! Besides being an active leader in Student Programs, I am also a running start student, a part time employee of the college and am involved in other initiatives off of campus! Many of the students on campus hold jobs, play sports, participate in clubs, and even have families of their own to take care of. I feel that I am able to represent this multidimensional image that many students on campus can relate to mostly because I am in the midst of it all myself! Tell me your story; I would love to see that it is heard!

As a passionate student leader at Highline, I understand that this is so much more than just a campus—for some it has become a second home. I have been so lucky to get involved in Student Programs and am excited to get even more involved in Student Government and hear what our students have to say. My fundamental vision for ASHCC will address immediate student issues as well as long term, more permanent goals. The most important role that the Vice President plays is getting out there on campus and making sure that your needs as a student are met and that we are making this campus the most comfortable, versatile, and accepting environment as possible. My goal is to see student involvement multiply, to see that creative and innovative ideas are brought to the table, and to apply my knowledge of servant leadership to our community!

Since my first days at Highline, it has been my goal to get involved on this beautiful campus. Thanks to the advisors in Student Programs, I was able to jump right onto The Giving Tree Committee where I learned creative fundraising and organizational skills as well as met some incredible student workers. Knowing that I had more to offer to Highline, I began attending every First Fridays Leadership Conference I could, and was fortunate enough to attend the Annual Winter Leadership Retreat. I have also participated in social justice walkouts, as well as other rewarding opportunities to hear student voices and to mold myself into a passionate servant leader. For the last 5 months, I have served as the Services and Activities Budget Committee Chair-a position that challenges me every day but has been so rewarding in that I know more about student programming and student funding than I ever thought imaginable!