ASG LEADERS 2018-2019 POSITIVE VIBES ONLY!

This year’s Associated Student Government election at MHCC had the highest voter turnout in a decade with a total of 561 votes cast. There were seven total tickets running for the president and vice president positions for next school year, 2018-19.

Out of the seven tickets up for office, Bob Hansen and Melanie Roberts came out on top, gaining a total of 186 votes.

For such a short window for elections campaigning and voting, it could be seen as a successful year.

A candidate forum was held on May 23, and a meet-and-greet in the Main Mall was held after Springfest the following day.

Voting was held online, May 29-31, and winners were announced June 1 in the Student Union.

Hansen, 21, is studying Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He used his marketing skills to gain traction during the pair’s campaign. Spreading their brand, he walked all around the campus, averaging 18,000 steps in the final week of campaigning.

His reaction to winning the election: “I was tired, but was so excited. I wanted to jump for joy. All the hard work really paid off.”

Roberts added, “I was a little nervous because (we were) up against so many teams, but I did feel confident in our team because we really did give it our all to go out, recruit and tell people about us.”

The vice president-elect, 19, is attending MHCC to study Early Childhood Education.

Both winners worked in ASG this year. Roberts was a part of the Student Activities Board as the special events coordinator. Her favorite event this year was Spring Fest because it gave her the opportunity to put herself out there and meet new people. Hansen was a representative for Student Support Services, mainly supporting efforts in Barney’s Pantry on campus.

As for next school year, as they said during their campaign, they plan to expand Barney’s Pantry at the Mt. Hood Maywood Park campus. They hope to partner with the Oregon Food Bank to offer a larger variety of food. And now that the Pantry on the main campus is in a larger space and a refrigerator has been installed, there will be more fresh foods available for students in need.

Another main goal of the Hansen-Robert ticket is creating a more inclusive environment for students. They plan on assisting the Diversity Resource Center, located just down the Student Union hall from the ASG office. Whether it’s funding, books, or partnering on events, the two said they want to create a comfortable environment for students that offers resources they need.

By working together this year, the two have a positive outlook moving forward. “I’m excited that we’re just friends working on this together because we’re happy, positive people and I feel we could bring that whole perspective to the team for next year to help anyone in the school,” said Roberts.

Meantime, the remaining ASG positions, 16 total, need to be filled over the summer.

Mt. Hood students interested in serving on the Student Activities Board or Executive cabinet can apply at mhcc.edu/ASGPositionApplication.aspx. Job description summaries are yet to be posted, but will be found at mhcc.edu/ASGJobDescriptionSummary/.