Nathan Selvidge has been named student trustee for 2010-2011.
Rancho Santiago Community College District has appointed 19-year-old Nathan Selvidge to serve as the student representative on its Board of Trustees.
Selvidge, a second-year philosophy major at Santiago Canyon College (SCC) with a 3.4 GPA, has his sights set on law school. As director of public relations for the SCC Associated Student Government (ASG), he helped facilitate better student advocacy strategies and worked to build better relationships with faculty and student leadership. His future plans include transferring to a four-year university and studying law with the goal of practicing criminal law.
After his parents’ divorce when he was in middle school, his grades took a nosedive. By the time he was in high school, he thought there was nothing he could do to improve his future outlook.
“After my graduation from Villa Park High, my grandpa sat me down and told me to get serious,” says Selvidge. “I love community college because it is affordable and it gave me a chance to start with a clean slate.”
After enrolling at SCC, he saw getting involved with ASG as a chance to do something for the campus. He is most proud of his advocacy for a resolution for creating a dedicated smoking area in the college’s parking lot. SCC has a smoke-free campus with designated smoking areas in perimeter parking lots only. He also assisted in orchestrating a successful student rally held to oppose any student enrollment fee increases. He sees serving as student trustee as an extension of the work he has already done.
“I want to be part of anything that advocates for students,” Selvidge says. “My goal is to build strong relationships with the board members and student leaders.”
One month into his tenure as student trustee, he is researching how best to serve his fellow students. Among the most important issues are adequate library hours, recycling, and keeping student enrollment fees at $26 a unit he says.
“I am looking forward to doing something positive and long-lasting to benefit students,” says Selvidge.
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