Sacramento City College has released the results from the recent student government elections on Thursday, April 23, following one of the most engaged election seasons over the last few years.

Around 754 students participated for the student elections at City College, the biggest outcome compared to the other Los Rios Community College District campuses. City College happens to have the biggest enrollment in the district, which may explain the higher participation. Overall, the district received over 1,100 casted votes in the trustee race.

“It’s been a quiet election season since the pandemic, but this is the first time we’ve had some competitive races,” said Deborah Knowles, student leadership advisor who’s held the position since 2019 at City College. “It’s been fun and good energy.”

The new elected Student Trustee is Leonardo Torres Ruvalcaba. As student trustee, Ruvalcaba will address issues that affected him as a student.

“I have like a big three that I feel kind of strongly about just because I’ve experienced it with my time here as a student,” he said. “That would just be counseling, financial aid and just a sense of community.”

Other student leadership winners also include Angel Binuya as student senate president, and Anylin Lam Salinas as student senate vice president.

Formerly secretary of legislative affairs, Binuya will continue putting students in connection with resources on campus.

“We just need more resources on campus to make students feel comfortable in needing help, especially because I feel like now the way that education just is, students are not allowed to fail,” she said. “In community colleges, you kind of just focus. A lot of [students] are like, I want to transfer. I just need to get this certificate and then I’m going to work. It’s not really about exploration or growth or even learning anymore, which really sucks.”

In the new term, July Pyar will sit in for secretary of legislative affairs, Obhi Benito-Oserogho as secretary, Daniel Tamang as secretary of outreach and development, Kathern Davis as Secretary of sustainability, and Jesus Hernandez as secretary of technology. May Carvajal will serve as student senator.

In the clubs and events board, David Tran has been elected president, Keila Roberts as vice president and Evelyn Rubi Paz as treasurer. 

Roberts is a communications and audio recording double major and is thrilled to start her new position.

“I ran unopposed, so I knew I was going to become vice president,” Roberts said. “But I am excited about bringing new things to campus and creating events that can continue at Sac City.”

Prior, Roberts was the secretary of public relations and had said her past experience there really helped prepare her for this new position. Roberts goals are to increase student engagement and advocacy work.

“I feel like I have a calling for advocacy,” Roberts said. “Once I had my first advocacy experience in Washington, D.C., I realized that I wanted to make a difference back home.”

Student leaders also participate in advocacy outside of school, which include trips to speak with lawmakers about the needs of students.

The new student government body will be sworn in during a ceremony in May and their roles will begin on July 1 through June 30 of next year.

Knowles said they look forward to increasing student participation for voting next year and continue the momentum.

“Our students are doing amazing work,” Knowles said. “I’d like them to be seen more.” Additional reporting by Tamera Coston.