Officers and ambassadors of the Associated Student Body at Coconino Community College (from left) Michael Walbridge, Brianna Monell, Juan Ramirez Castro and Neil Gallegos. Courtesy photo.
FLAGSTAFF — The Associated Student Body at Coconino Community College, after being inactive for a number of years, is up and running and gaining momentum.
And the new officers are looking for all students to become aware of the ASB and to get involved as much as possible – even if it is only to get information about their college.
“The objective is to get the student body engaged,” said ASB President Neil Gallegos. “We want to know from the students what they want. We want to tackle the issues most relevant to all students of CCC.”
The ASB is a student-government organization that “believe[s] that a true student government is one run for students, by students.”
Michael Walbridge, ASB Student Engagement Commissioner, said that one of the organization’s goals is to create a sense of community among CCC students in order to create an “experience” for alums to look back on fondly.
“It should be a part of who we are,” Walbridge said.
Walbridge and Gallegos said that the organization is working on multiple goals. Among them are:
- Revamping the ASB Constitution
- Getting more student engagement
- Filling the officer and ambassador ranks
- Partnering with Phi Theta Kappa honor society
- Organizing an Oct. 30 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math forum at CCC
Five officers have been appointed to the ASB, and the goal is to have elections for the positions in the future. The current ASB officers are:
- Neil Gallegos, President
- Sophie Weinzinger, Vice President
- Michael Walbridge, Student Engagement Commissioner
- John Byrd, Academic Affairs Commissioner
- Brianna Monell, Community Engagement Commissioner
- Jeremy Garcia, Election Board Chair
The ASB also has a number of ambassadors to help spread the word about the revitalization of the organization: Credel Wastley, Benjamin Dean, McKenzie Jansen and Juan Ramirez Castro.
Castro said he is the first generation in his family to attend college, and he wants to make sure his experience is rewarding.
“I didn’t want to be left out,” Castro said, adding that much of his success as a student is due to his ability to connect and to find supportive people.
For more information about the ASB at CCC, visit https://www.coconino.edu/student-clubs, or contact ASB President Neil Gallegos at ngt3v@students.coconino.edu