Student Trustee looking for student input

As the student trustee serving his second semester, Ramon Quintero offers all students the opportunity for him to explain the agenda to them at the Board meetings held every third Wednesday of the month. He invites students to meet with him before the board meetings that begin at 6 p.m.

He also requests input from the students on situations that affect the college and students, in hopes of representing the students more accurately.

"I focus on what I can change and in influencing the board in ways that benefit the students," said Quintero.

Quintero mentioned that his goal right now is to get students to attend meetings and speak up. Since he is representing the students, he said he is one voice for a multitude and he would like students to take a part in important decisions that make a difference.

"Everyone is a leader no matter what.as a leader if you want to see change, you have to change it yourself and if you want to change someone, you have to change yourself first," said Quintero.

As advice to students, "I want to voice the need to transfer to a four year (University) and pursue higher education," stated Quintero, "education is the best investment that can be inherited by your kids."

Trustee Quintero became actively involved on campus by obtaining the co-chair for the Inner Club Council (ICC), in fall 2005 followed by his election as senator for the Associate Student Body (ASB), in spring 2006.

Then Quintero realized his desire of "influencing policy at the district level and not just at the college level" and opted for running for the board of trustees' office. He began his term in June 1 2006.

As a single parent to a seven-year-old daughter and a business owner of a travel agency, he manages to remain active in school and he represents the students in board discussions and meetings.

Quintero is in the Honors program and plans to double major in geography and Political Science.