The chatter of students filled a small conference room Monday, Sept. 15, as members of the Los Medanos College Associated Students gathered around the table with notepads and laptops open. For two hours, the senators and officers of the student government weighed decisions, debated priorities, and hosted guests from the League of Women Voters. Their focus was on the Constitution Day event scheduled for later that week, where they planned to help students register to vote.
The weekly meeting, held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., reflected the dual role of LMCAS: a decision-making body and a community builder. In the same session, senators discussed logistics for upcoming conferences and planned student outreach, a rhythm that has become routine for those who represent the student body.
“I am currently a senator for LMCAS right now, and usually, we attend meetings to discuss important matters related to the campus,” said Senator Joaquin Sagun. “That includes issues such as the moving of the Math Lab to another building and also the planning of LMCAS events such as the upcoming Impact Conferences.”
The Impact Conference, scheduled for Oct. 3, is one of the organization’s signature events. Sagun said this year’s version will feature workshops on networking and civic engagement, with free food and a guest speaker to draw students in. “Each member also usually tables for LMCAS weekly and on major events such as Club Rush,” he added.
Senator Natalya Marroquin said the group’s influence goes beyond planning events. She described her role as a bridge between committees and the Senate floor. “My position in LMCAS is senator. What it involves day to day is our meetings on Monday, where we go over the agenda and what’s going on in the college at the time. You must be involved in a committee from the college; personally, I am the student representative for the general education committee,” she said.
For Marroquin, the impact is tangible. “An impact I have made on the campus is getting students to join LMCAS the first week of school, which was done by tabling on the first day,” she said. “We filled four full pages of our interest list.”
LMCAS President Salvador Velazquez, said his inspiration came from family. His older sister was president from 2021 to 2022 and sparked his interest in student leadership. Now, Velazquez said his favorite part of serving is helping others discover their voice.
“One of the most rewarding parts of being president has been the opportunity to guide and empower students to get involved on campus,” he said. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to help others realize their potential and find their place within the college community.”
Velazquez encouraged students curious about joining to take that first step. “If a student wants to get involved, the first step is simply to reach out. They can start by attending an LMCAS meeting, which is open to all students. It’s a great way to see what student government is all about, meet the current members and learn about ongoing projects and opportunities,” he said.
LMCAS, he added, is “the official voice of the student body,” one that ensures students are represented when decisions are made on campus.
