Since being sworn in as the president of the Associated Student Government at Santiago Canyon College before the start of the fall 2023 semester, Gabe Lopez, along with his fellow officers, has prioritized bringing more students back to campus.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many SCC students continue to take classes online, Lopez said, and one way to draw them back is by offering experiences that can only be had on campus.
“I believe the community college system is very dynamic and able to serve a wide array of different demographics and people via online services,” said Lopez, who serves as ASG president through the end of the spring 2024 semester. “But we want to also bring people back, and there are some specific pathways that people can get more benefit from if they’re learning in person, not only because of the educational value but also that community value.”
One strategy is to create more awareness for programs that already exist such as the numerous clubs, athletics and cultural events, Lopez said.
“These programs can actually bring people on campus and keep them there,” Lopez said.
Last fall, for example, SCC hosted a variety of events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, including a film festival and a Hispanic Heritage Day.
“I had this couple come up and say, ‘We’re fully online but we came to SCC for the first time because of this event,’ ” Lopez said. “So, it’s a big priority of the ASG this year to hold events and bring as many students onto campus as possible. Luckily, we’ve been able to do that to a degree.”
For some students, food and housing insecurity is an issue, so creating more awareness about the Hawks Nest Basic Needs Center and Food Pantry is important, Lopez said.
Several other initiatives are currently working their way through the ASG’s legislative process, ASG Vice President Karelly Elizarraraz said. One is to provide more food offerings that meet the needs of SCC’s culturally…
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