The Ventura County Community College District Student Leadership Academy supports Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges’ Associated Student Government students in their leadership development. The academy’s approximately 35 students meet twice each fall and spring semesters to learn, collaborate, advocate, and promote initiatives to benefit the approximately 32,000 students in the District.
Each academy meeting has a relevant theme. For the August meeting, it was Advocacy—Find Your Voice. Gabriela Rodriguez, Oxnard College Student Activities Specialist/Advisor, kicked off the event by welcoming the attendees and doing introductions.
The morning panel explored the definition of advocacy and how the students can use it to be effective leaders. The panel—comprised of Dr. Larry Buckley, VCCCD Vice Chancellor Institutional Effectiveness; Jessica Martinez, VCCCD Student Trustee; James Schuelke, Moorpark College Director of Institutional Advancement, Communications, and Public Relations; and Trevor Zierhut, Government Relations Consultant—shared strategies for successful advocacy to engage others. Students learned how to contribute effectively in meetings, and they gained information about listening campaigns and how to facilitate change. Some lessons learned included developing relationships, allowing others’ diversity to inform your point of view, respecting others’ experiences, listening, doing research, and putting yourself in others’ places.
Thanks to Trustees Josh Chancer and Bernardo Perez for joining the students for lunch. Chancellor Greg Gillespie talked about his support of students and developing lifelong leadership skills.
The afternoon administrator panel focused on equity and inclusion. The panelists—Kim Hoffmans, Ventura College President; Tammy Coleman, MC Faculty; Luis Gonzalez, OC Dean Liberal Studies; Jesus Vega, Assistant Dean VC East Campus; Cynthia Herrera, OC Dean Institutional Effectiveness—shared their perspectives on the topic and how the student leaders could understand and use this information. Students learned needed tools to use as leaders and who at their campus they could go to for more support.
After learning about advocacy from leadership professionals, it was the students’ turn to learn by doing. Kristen Robinson, MC Student Activities Specialist/Advisor, guided the student leaders in an exercise where they explored nine timely topics, ranging from mental health and LGBTQ rights to civic and student engagement. The students addressed why these topics were important to them and what the campuses are doing for each issue. To begin the conversations, students were asked who they are and what are they trying to change. They also brainstormed ways to improve what is already in place and two immediate steps that could be implemented to create change.
Libby Fatta, VC Student Activities Specialist/Advisor shared reflections on advocacy. At the end of the meeting, the student leaders discussed all that they had learned and how excited they were to implement the strategies to help their fellow students.
The next Student Leadership Academy meeting is in November. Stop by a college Associated Student Government Meeting if you would like to get involved!