Associated Student Government of MHCC News

For the first time since the campus was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Associated Student Government of Mt Hood Community College (ASMHCC) can proudly say it has both a student body president and vice president working together! During the tumultuous three years post-COVID outbreak, the group has had one or the other in office – but not both.

Now Javier Estrada and Emily Phoun, elected by fellow students last spring, will represent the student body this 2023-24 academic year. And ASMHCC already has filled more than double the staff positions it had last academic year.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Estrada and Phoun, along with Doctor Ayeliya, MHCC director of Student Life, to discuss student-government related news and updates for the Fall Term.

Even before classes began, both were thrilled to welcome over 600 new MHCC students during New Student Orientation events earlier in September. Mt. Hood’s enrollment is higher than it has been over the last three academic years, and ASMHCC is excited to get new students accustomed to Student Life on campus and help them along their individual journeys to their future.

Phoun, the vice president, stated she is “most excited about seeing so many students” attend student orientation, as well as meeting the new student leaders in the ASMHCC. Her stated No. 1 goal for the year is to “have more people join.”

Estrada said “like Emily” he is most excited about “seeing student life grow.” His top goal while serving as student body president is “to continue to address food insecurity on campus by working with Barney’s Pantry (where students in need may obtain free food and other household items) and other area food banks.” He said he’s excited “for the team to bond and make memories.” 

The Student Life department has a wide range of activities and events planned for the Fall Term, beyond the food, games, live music and other offerings the opening Welcome Week of classes starting Sept. 25.

On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Multicultural & Diversity Resource Center inside the Student Union building will host an open house event, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

On Monday, Oct. 9 there will be a Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month event, from noon to 2 p.m., in the Student Union. 

On Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 10-11, inside the Vista Dining Hall, Mt. Hood will host the Fall Term Clubs Fair, which allows students to learn more about student clubs and organizations on campus.

At noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, there will be a guest speaker, Mackenzie Cruikshank, to highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the Student Union.

Also, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, the ASMHCC will host the annual, communitywide Halloween “Trunk or Treat” event in the Main Mall, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All costumes, at all ages, are encouraged!

The ASMHCC also will be hosting a fall food drive during the first week of November. Keep an eye out for more information regarding Barney Pantry’s donation needs, and more.

Looking farther ahead, Student Life Director Ayeliya emphasized the importance of next year, 2024, being a national election year and said MHCC has partnered with National Voter Education Week (NVEW) to bring nonpartisan, open-source voter information and voter registration information to the campus to encourage students to exercise their democratic rights and civic duty to vote.

Throughout, ASMHCC has worked hard to plan and coordinate the events for student life on campus, and not only that – also to promote the growth and development of student leaders. Over the summer, Mt. Hood student leaders and representatives were able to attend a five-week leadership development program, in addition to their annual retreat.

All these efforts align with what Ayeliya describes as the driving force of his MHCC work, helping students navigate their educational and life paths.

He wrote, “I come here every day with the intention to leave a lasting impact on students and am here to provide resources, and to be available to engage and empower students so they can find their purpose and sense of belonging.”