Voting is open for students to elect their next student body representatives for Associated Students.
The Associated Students (A.S.) represents all Fullerton College students as the student government on campus. A.S. advocates for students and creates policies in hopes of enhancing the student experience.
They’ve taken several initiatives for representing students, such as advocating for more school lunch options, created surveys for students about what to include in the new prayer and meditation rooms, and have future plans to start a workshop to support the SWANA/Palestinian student population by providing educational discussions led by an expert.
They also host events and activities such as Fall Kickoff and Constitution Day, as well as a campus safety “town hall” to discuss their report on whether or not campus safety officers should carry batons.
Ballots are open and students can vote electronically until March 21. The elections committee will make the count and confirm positions by March 28.
The student ballots along with voting instructions can be found on the NOCCCD form.
Listed below are the current candidates running for each position, along with their personal bio they submitted to the A.S. elections webpage.
President of Student Senate candidate:
Amanda Rivada
Hi Hornets! My name is Amanda Rivada, and I’m a Biology major working towards a Biotechnology Lab Assistant Certificate at Fullerton College. Over the past two years at this school, I’ve developed a strong interest in campus programs and student engagement. Working at our campus library has provided me with the opportunity to connect with students on a fundamental level, gaining insight into their basic needs and concerns.
In addition to this role, I have served as a student senator for the past three semesters and am currently the president of the Nutrition Club. These leadership experiences have equipped me with the skills in team management, collaboration, and advocacy needed to best serve our community and manage our Student Senate . As a member of our STEM Success Learning Community, I am also deeply passionate about expanding mentorship, community building, and learning opportunities
for our STEM students. I aim to empower our STEM students in excelling after transfer, especially those interested in healthcare careers.
Throughout my time here, I have cherished the connections I’ve built with students from our diverse academic programs. This has inspired my commitment to enhancing awareness and access to such programs. I am also dedicated to supporting programs that serve our international, undocumented, first-generation, veteran, and re-entry students and maintain our standing as a Hispanic Serving Institution. As president, I aim to strengthen the incredible network of students, faculty, and staff who contribute to our Hornet community and foster an environment where all students can thrive.
“Outside of A.S. I’m working with STEM Counseling Center to create a student mentorship program,” said Rivada in an interview with The Hornet. “I really want to give first years a peer mentor, hopefully we can help first years get connected to internships and scholarships and really help them transition to college and help give our second and third years leadership experience.”
Vice President of Student Senate candidates:
Julieta Gonzalez
Hey Hornets! I’m Julieta Gonzalez, I’m running to be your AS Vice President! I was born in Argentina and I’m entering my second year as a Pre-Nursing major. This past year, I’ve had the privilege of serving as an AS senator. I gained valuable insight into student leadership and actively participated in decision making on issues that matter to our campus. I’ve learned from our leaders while developing my views and advocating for what I stand with. As the Treasurer for the Scholas Unidos club, we are dedicated to spreading Latino heritage through events that celebrate our traditions. I’m a proud member of the Puente program, meaning I’m committed to amplifying the voices of first-generation students. I relate to the difficult challenges, and I will work hard to ensure inclusivity, equality, and accessibility at our campus. Beyond Fullerton College, I have always been very proud to serve my community. Recently, I participated in the LA Fire Relief efforts in Pasadena, and helped give out supplies to those in need. In high school, I worked with underprivileged children, conducting research and implementing effective methods to support their success. This deepened my understanding of the multifaceted hardships that prevent people from receiving the education they deserve. I pride myself on being capable of finding good solutions. As Vice President, I promise to provide my research and problem solving skills, to make sure our student body is heard. I aim to make sure our resources are expanded, essential, and positive changes are made.
Madhumitha Nandakumar
Hi Hornets! My name is Madhumitha Nandakumar, but many of you know me as Maddie, and I’m excited to be running for Vice President of the Student Senate!
I’m a biology major on the pre-med track, and this is my first year at Fullerton College. I’m part of the Honors Program, serve as an Honors Ambassador, and work as a Medical Assistant at an ENT surgery center.
My passion for leadership began in high school during the pandemic when I attended Cambridge Virtual Academy, a newly opened independent learning school. Noticing a lack of student engagement, I founded a Leadership Club my freshman year, which grew to 40 members and the following year this club became officially recognized as an Associated Student Body (ASB) class. Over the summers, I helped build ASB from the ground up—drafting a constitution, defining leadership roles, and organizing school-wide events.
My commitment to fostering community led me to serve as ASB President during both my sophomore and junior years. We expanded our impact by launching district-wide donation events, which allowed me to meet with the Superintendent and propose United ASBs, a collaboration to strengthen student-led community outreach efforts across the district. After transferring to Sunny Hills, I continued my involvement in ASB during my senior year.
As Vice President of the Student Senate, I will bring this same dedication and passion to Fullerton College, advocating for student engagement, inclusivity, and ensuring every student’s voice is heard.
Vote Madhumitha for VP!
Vice President of Finance candidates:
Caton Mall
Hello everyone, my name is Caton Moll, and I am running for VP of Finance for the Associated Students. Last semester, I got the privilege to join and become a member of the Hornets Business Club. Not only that, after a short while, I established myself and became the Inner Club Council (ICC) representative for the club. This is where I got to be introduced to many different clubs and a small part of student leadership at our school. As the ICC representative, I got to speak on behalf of the club to fight for what our club wanted and needed. As a Business Administration major, I continue to push myself to reach out and do more. That is exactly why this semester, I have moved up yet again in the Hornet Business Club as I am now the treasurer for the club. As treasurer of the club, it is my sole responsibility to be in control of all of the funds and events going on in our club, deciding on how we should best fundraise and budget our money to be able to do the most this semester. This is also exactly why I think that I will be the best candidate for the VP of Finance. I want to make sure that the AS funds are used fairly and accordingly. So that students will be able to enjoy numerous activities across the school, all while I budget and plan to make sure our money is being used correctly.
Esther Wu
Dear Students, My name is Esther, and I’m a Business major here at Fullerton College with a concentration in Accounting. I’m running for VP of Finance because I genuinely want to serve our community and give back to the students through my passion for financial management. I would greatly cherish an opportunity to serve the Student Senate, and I truly believe I can help make a meaningful difference.
If elected, I’ll work closely with the President and the Finance Committee to create a budget that reflects the needs of the campus and its programs. I’ll make sure the process is transparent, the funds are managed responsibly, and that you’re kept in the loop with clear and accessible financial updates. I’m also committed to making sure that all student groups can access the resources they need, when they need them.
Above all, I am excited to contribute to serving a community where everyone feels their voice is heard, and that the Student Senate is working for all of us.
Thanks for considering me as your next VP of Finance. I’d love to have your support!
Sincerely, Esther Wu
Erik Kniss
Hey Hornets! My name is Erik Kniss, and I’m running for Vice President of Finance to ensure that student funds are managed wisely, fairly, and transparently. Finances are more than just numbers. They directly impact every student, club, and program on campus. With my background in budgeting, leadership, and resource allocation, I’m ready to take on this role and serve you.
As a mechanical engineering major, I’ve developed strong problem-solving and analytical skills. In engineering, every project requires smart budgeting and strategic planning, just like student government finances. My ability to optimize resources will help ensure fair distribution of funds and increased financial transparency.
Beyond academics, I am an Eagle Scout, an achievement that taught me leadership, responsibility, and financial management. I’ve led service projects that required fundraising, budgeting, and resource allocation, ensuring every dollar was used efficiently. I understand how to balance budgets, prioritize needs, and make financial decisions that maximize impact, which are all skills that will help me serve as VP of Finance.
As your vice president of Finance, I will prioritize financial transparency, fair budget distribution, and responsible spending to ensure that every student organization and program has the funding they need to thrive. I am committed to making smart financial decisions that benefit the entire student body.
“I want to step up and take charge and make sure that our school has more funds, more access to scholarships, opportunities, and things associated with the money of the school. And one of my mission statements of being elected as vice president of finance is to bring back the 12 bucks that we lost from the cafeteria,” said Kniss in an interview with The Hornet. “I also just want to increase greater funding towards clubs and programs like mesa, the honors societies, AGS, PTK, as well as clubs around campus.”
Hamed Haidary
Hey everyone, I’m Hamed, and I’m running for Vice President of Finance!
I like working with numbers. Some people find them boring; I find them kind of fun. (Yeah, I know, weird.) As an Economics and Accounting major, I enjoy making sense of budgets, ensuring financial responsibility, and figuring out how to allocate resources efficiently. But finance isn’t just about spreadsheets, it’s about making sure our funding directly benefits the students and programs that need it the most.
Outside of finance, I’m just a regular student who enjoys soccer, beach volleyball, and video games. I understand how important student life is, and I want to make sure our funding supports the things that make college more engaging and accessible, whether that’s increasing club budgets, securing more financial resources for student initiatives, or making the funding process clearer for everyone.
If elected, I’ll work to make funding more transparent, advocate for better resource allocation, and help students and organizations navigate the financial process with ease. I want to ensure that resources are used in ways that create meaningful opportunities for students, whether it’s supporting student-led initiatives, expanding academic resources, or funding events that bring our community together.
If you want someone who genuinely enjoys balancing budgets (yes, people like me exist) and is committed to making sure our funding works for students, vote for me! Let’s make smart financial decisions together.
“I have worked as an admin officer for the Ministry of Public Health back in my country and I managed the funds for office supplies and the food there and I calculated all the budgets and what motivated me to run for this position was that I want to ensure that the funds for students are managed effectively,” said Haidary. “I want to allocate more funding for student activities and especially student clubs as most clubs are underfunded.”
Vice President of Activities candidate:
Brenda Perez
Hi FC familia! My name is Brenda, although I mostly go by bepa, and I’m a Multi-Media Production major! I’m a first generation latina and am in my second year of college here at Fullerton.
In my first year at FC I’ve done my best to be as involved on campus as possible! I attended school events such as Hispanic Heritage Month KickOff, I was sworn in as a Student Senator, and I started a club, Scholars Unidos.
When it came to my attention that there wasn’t a club for Latine students on campus, I immediately went to work to create one. As president of Scholars Unidos I organize events for our club like our recent discussion on Afro-Latinx Identity and Sugar Skull decorating for Día De Los Muertos!
If chosen to be your VP of Activities, I plan on organizing exciting events for us Hornets because I believe that every student deserves to experience accessible, diverse, and fun events on our campus to attend & enjoy! Going to a community college doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to get the full college experience and I hope to change that:-)
Vice President of Records candidates:
Katrina Lashlee
Hello everyone! My name is Katrina Lashlee and I am running for Vice President of Records. As a Business Administration major with a marketing concentration, I have a strong appreciation for organization, communication, and strategic planning. Beyond academics, I love reading, music, rock climbing, and playing the cello. These activities have taught me perseverance, discipline, and creativity. My commitment to having a significant influence on our campus is motivated by these attributes. My capacity to plan, direct, and work with others has been enhanced by my leadership experience as the current secretary of the Hornet Business Club, a dedicated member of the Biology Club, and a volunteer coach at the Fullerton Strings Orchestra. I’ve pushed myself to become more detail-oriented and harder working, ensuring that every assignment I take on is completed with careful attention to detail and precision. I am confident that my qualifications and experience will benefit the council and improve each student’s and faculty member’s college experience. I’m dedicated to creating a more effective, connected, and interesting campus community where students’ opinions are respected and heard. With your support, we can make a lasting impact on our college community and advocate for all!
Rayhan Ahmed
My last semester involvement as a member of the Research , Planning and Resolution Committee that dealt with identifying ways in which campus safety baton issues could be resolved for purposes of compliance with state safety regulations has opened my eyes to the level of policy impact that students can have through their participation.
I will maintain clear and accurate records, improve information governance of student government, and help facilitate informed decision making in the legislative and judicial branches of government. Strong student representation and a transparent system that documents the processes and products relevant to the student body is possible with your vote.Your vote ensures that students are well represented in the decision-making process. It will help us work together to enhance involvement in these processes and drive meaningful, student-led change.
Vote for me as Vice President of Records, and I will not let you down.
Vice President of Public Relations candidates:
David Maurice
Hey Fullerton College! I’m David Maurice, and I’m excited to run for Vice President of Public Relations. You might remember me from the last time I asked for your vote—when I ran for Homecoming King (and won thanks to all your votes). This time, I’m campaigning to make your voices heard, promote A.S. events, and keep you in the loop on things happening on campus.
As President of the International Club, Vice President of MUSE, an AGS member, and a Student Senator, I am deeply involved in campus life. I also serve as Secretary of the Activities and Communications Committee, so I know firsthand how important it is to connect students with opportunities and resources.
As a first year student in a community college, I’m constantly finding ways to get more involved on campus and make new connections. If elected, I’ll work to make A.S. more engaging, transparent, and fun—through social media, events, and creative outreach. I’ll make sure to work closely with the VP of activities to give you all opportunities to connect and plan events that resonate with you.
I believe communication should be clear, fun, and impactful—just like this campaign. Vote David for VP of PR!
Student Trustee candidates:
Samiy Castillo Bolivar
Hey Hornets! I’m Samiy, an Econ and Journalism major here at FC.
As a Student Senator, I’ve had the chance to be involved in important decisions and stances like maintaining and improving our cafeteria meals, helping produce and presenting a report on campus safety policies, and most recently, discussing student benefits like the bookstore Buzzy Bucks.
As vice president of the International Club, I’ve co-created and hosted FC’s Got Talent, a night of large community celebration around Hornet talent. I’ve also served as vice president of the Scholars Unidos club, coordinating club events to celebrate Latinx heritage and culture on campus.
As student assistant at the International Student Center, I help admit and welcome international students, guiding them with campus life while they are at FC!
In my role as senator, I’ve gotten the chance to get to know the behind-the-scenes of how our college works and how to best be a voice for our students here on campus. I know it can be hard to create a space of community in a commuter college, which is why I believe in transparency and in creating inclusive spaces in which we can put the “community” in community college.
If elected as Student Trustee, I would advocate for all of you on a wider level, collaborating with district officials to ensure you are heard. Your voice matters to me and is the most important voice here at Fullerton College. Let’s make good things happen together!
“We have a diverse student body, and everyone has different paths. You know, some people are here longer, some people are here with different backgrounds, and it’s important to focus on them as well, not just students who just transfer over into years,” said Bolivar in an interview with The Hornet. “Kind of being able to create that sense of community and making sure that everyone feels welcome and making sure that all those benefits really apply to everyone equally.”
Editor’s Note: Samiy Castillo Bolivar is the arts and culture editor for The Hornet newspaper and is not involved in any coverage or editorial process for A.S. Elections. The Hornet is making no endorsements.
Bianca Stopani
I am running for the position of student trustee because I am deeply committed to advocating for all students across our district, including those at Fullerton and Cypress College. Since 2019, I have been a dedicated student who has witnessed and experienced firsthand the challenges faced by our student body. From issues with professors to concerns with administrators, I have seen situations go unaddressed that profoundly impacted the learning experience and well-being of students. These experiences have fueled my passion to be a voice for change.
As a formerly incarcerated student, I bring a unique perspective to this role. I understand the barriers that many students face and the urgent need for equitable policies and practices. I want to transform the system to ensure that every student—regardless of their background—feels seen, heard, and supported. My goal is to create meaningful change and to amplify the voices of students who have often been overlooked.
If elected, I am committed to serving as a bridge between the student body and the district leadership. I will strive to foster open communication and collaboration to address critical concerns and implement solutions that benefit all students. My dedication to advocacy is unwavering, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that every student’s voice is heard at the district level. Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive, and supportive community for all.
“I’m genuinely passionate about speaking up for others and creating change. I’m also formerly incarcerated, so during that process I also encountered issues that were not okay while I was detained,” Stopani told The Hornet in an interview. “That’s what also prompted me to step up and become an advocate for others as well.”
Dana Rose Crystal
Hello, Hornets! I am Dana Rose Crystal. I believe in Making America Great Again, but NOT being a meanie. If people are here to make their dreams come true and want to contribute to their communities, they are welcome and wanted. The ancestors of my late husband, a combat veteran, were originally Mexican agriculture workers who settled in California. They contributed much to this country, including serving in wartime. Also, climate change is REAL, so we all need to be responsible, working toward sustainability. And everyone should have the right to be identified the way they prefer, with pronouns and inclusion. Actual diversity means everyone; yet it has not been practiced, with many being left out and not included. While some are recognized, given appreciation, others are shortchanged. I will listen to your concerns to present to the Board and those in charge.
Being fiscally responsible is important for every school, and the Student Trustee’s job is to contribute when the Board of Trustees deliberate on spending; thus, it’s important to be aware of needs of all our departments and programs.
I wanted to be involved in my community, so I joined Student Government, gaining knowledge and experience on many campus and district committees. I encourage everyone to become involved in the decisions that affect your life.
Please Elect me YOUR Student Trustee.
Student Senator candidates:
Benjamin Villa
My name is Benjamin Villa, and I am running to be a Student Senator at Fullerton College. As a dedicated student leader with experience in marketing, outreach, and club organization, I am committed to fostering a more connected and engaged student body.
Through my work in founding the Jogging Club, I have seen firsthand the power of community in bringing students together. As a Student Senator, I will advocate for increased campus involvement, clearer communication of student resources, and stronger support for student organizations. I will actively listen to your concerns and work to ensure that your voices shape the decisions made by the Student Senate.
If elected, I will serve on committees that directly impact student life, work on initiatives that enhance our college experience, and mentor future student leaders. I aim to create an inclusive and dynamic campus where every student feels heard, supported, and empowered.
I ask for your vote so that together, we can build a stronger, more connected Fullerton College.
I appreciate your support!
Jackson Reeve
My name is Jackson Reeve, I am currently studying economics and psychology here at Fullerton College. My goals are to transfer to either UCLA, UC Berkeley, or UCSD. I am the president of the Social Sciences Club here at Fullerton College, and Vice President of the Jogging Club. As an honors student I focus a lot on my academic work, but I enjoy spending time outside of school as well; I play tennis, I enjoy working out, and I hang out with my friends a lot. Whether it is in my hobbies, or my schoolwork, I strongly believe in a growth mindset where I prioritize working hard, working smart, asking a lot of questions, and connecting with other people as much as I can. With this in mind, I think being a part of Associated Students will help me a lot. I can use my leadership skills from leading clubs, and my academic endurance to work hard in Associated Students. I can also use my experience to help me grow as a person and as a student, and I can try to apply as much of myself as I can to grow with Associated Students as well.
well.
Jennifer Morales
Hi, Hornets. Good morning, good afternoon. My name is Jennifer Morales, and I am currently running for student senator here at Fullerton College. It really does matter to me because I want to represent your voice and any types of changes that you want to see. I would like to help you make that happen. So I hope you have a wonderful semester. Keep it up, keep going, Drink your water, and let’s get it. Let’s go.
