We all admire strong leaders and intelligent, level-headed leadership. But building those skills takes time, experience and openness. At South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), their student leadership works through the Student Senate, Campus Activities Board, Sounds News team, and more.
Community College Student Leaders Learn Skills for the Future
Sophia Bowton-Meade is an SPSCC Senator of Legislative Affairs. She describes herself as “passionate about social justice and, as a student, I see that colleges are a place where issues of race, class, health and access play out all the time. I wanted to get my start working with legislation and I wanted to help my community, which is why I’m so happy to be in student government this year working with others who share my vision of a more equitable world.”
But this role isn’t just one of listening and passing comments to faculty members. Bowton-Meade explains that they will be collecting quantitative data and testimonies from students about the services that they need. “We will then use this information to testify at the state legislature about issues such as mental health care, textbook affordability, housing and childcare,” she adds.
With the information obtained, Bowton-Meade hopes to gain professional skills and experience for herself, as well as helping the community. “SPSCC has provided me with so much support and so many opportunities, and I want to give back,” she says. “I want to lift up student voices and make SPSCC – and the other community and technical colleges we’ll be working with – more equitable and inclusive for all.”
A political science major, Bowton-Meade is working towards a job in legislation either on a legislator’s staff or by running for office herself. She encourages others to participate in student government. “The world needs more people like you – people with the drive to create something and to make positive change in their community,” Bowton-Meade shares. “Don’t sell yourself short – you have value! The choice about how to live your life is now up to you. Why not go after what you want, especially if it could help other people, too?”
South Puget Sound Community College Encourages Discovery and Equity for Everyone
Senator of Diversity and Equity Regina Alcantara joined the SPSCC Senate to help bring the campus back to life in terms of activity after COVID-19. “Now I also want to find a way to connect with the new incoming students and make their experiences as amazing as possible,” she says. “Furthermore, for me it is important to have a voice in this school, and as an international student I would like to make sure that everyone does too, that everyone is being treated with respect and equity, to help all the students feel welcome and represented in one way or another.”
Working towards an AA in arts and communication, Alcantara hopes to use her time in government to, “learn new skills and polish the ones that I already have, such as communication skills, teamwork and being open minded. I believe I can offer to this community my skills, my disposition to help and my international perspective. I think as a community that has a lot of diversity; having someone who can represent that diversity is important so that we can connect with as many students as we can and see what we can help with or improve.”
Student Leaders in College Leave a Legacy of Change
Even in college, we think about the legacy we leave behind as we move forward. For student leaders, their work today impacts students tomorrow and into the future. Joshua Coetzee, ASB student president, tackles the job with an athlete’s mindset. “I felt a calling, a way to make a change and leave a legacy at SPSCC,” he says. “I already play on the men’s soccer team too and saw the ASB president role as something where I can test myself and push my limits. I love working with people and this will prepare me for future job positions.”
Beyond leadership skills and self-described terrible jokes, Coetzee offers his encouragement to others who want to play their part. “I cannot describe how good the college has been to me and how much of a great experience I have had here. Serving as the ASB president is the least I can do to return the favor and hopefully give future students the experience I had or better.”
“Being involved in your community is a lot of work,” says Alcantara “especially when you are also a student, but it is one of the best ways to make your experiences, and experiences of others, the best they can be. There are also a lot of ways you can be involved in a community, just find that thing you are passionate about and find a way to use it to be involved.”
In a nutshell, that’s all it takes to be a leader. Sharing passion, understanding and a sense of family can draw us all together to build a strong future for everyone.
Start your new future at South Puget Sound Community College. Request information from their admissions team or drop by the One Stop for student services at the Olympia or Lacey campus to get started.
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