Salt Lake Community College Student Association officers are a direct link to the highest level of opportunities to create change on campus. The “Make Waves” theme for this year’s candidates is an example of how students can share their ideas, passion and dedication to SLCC.
Current executive vice president Justine Tabligan is an example of what students can accomplish as a Student Association officer.
“The goal I have set for myself as an executive council member is to be proactive in issues within the schools and campus wide,” says Tabligan in an email. “As of right now, I am continuing the works of the past Executive Vice-Presidents which is the Guaranteed Buy Back Agreement. My goal of having more Open Resource Textbook has been started and it has piloted in different departments.”
Members of the Student Senate Board are problem solvers, which requires time to seek out, research and address issues raised by the student body.
“It was a continuous conversation and having the student’s future in my mind. I also have done my own research on it. With the help of my Student Senators actively seeking for issues and resolving them, this wouldn’t have been a possibility,” says Tabligan. “I learned that perseverance is the key to achieving these goals. No matter how many rejections we get in life, we must persevere. Also, it takes more than one person to help make change in SLCC. Collaboration is important and can achieve more.”
The concept of student elections are to carry these issues forward from one administration to the next.
“I don’t believe that it won’t get accomplished because it will be passed on and continued to my future successor,” says Tabligan. “To future candidates, Change will always start with you! You will be the biggest advocate for the students.”
For future candidates, Tabligan advises, “Be brave and take risks because life starts at the end of your comfort zone. This will be the biggest opportunity that they just can’t let it pass. The give you an opportunity to grow as a person, advocate and leader. Take that leap of faith and believe in yourself.”
Graduation is the only goal for some students who attend SLCC, but students who participate in student government can accomplish this and much more.
“I am graduating this spring 2015. I am transferring to Utah Valley University to pursue my Nursing Degree,” says Tabligan. “I am going to miss SLCC very much because this was and will always be home. Thank you students for all the smiles, cries, laughs, and moments shared. I may have not known every student in SLCC but I am always greeting students and make them feel that they belong here!”
Tabligan adds, “To my SLCC family, thank you so much for giving me the best three years I could ever have here. I am grateful for SLCCSA, Student Senate, Advisors, Professors, Staff, Faculty and friends. You all have impacted my life even with the littlest request.”
The SLCC Student Senate is accepting packets for the 2015-2016 student elections. For more information about the elections or how you can get involved in Student Life and Leadership, call 801-957-4015 or visit SC 124 on the Taylorsville Redwood Campus.
