All currently enrolled Harper College credit students are invited to participate in
choosing their student body leaders by voting for their Student Trustee and Student
Government Association (SGA) Officers; SGA President, SGA Vice-President, and SGA
Secretary, for the 2025–2026 school year. Voting takes place on the Harper College
student portal from Monday, April 7, 2025, 12:01 a.m. to Friday, April 11, 2025, 11:59
p.m.
2025–2026 Student Trustee Candidates
The Harper College Student Trustee serves on the Harper College Board of Trustees,
where they have an advisory vote.
Lindsay Aguilera Torres, Candidate for Student Trustee for the 2025–2026 School Year
Hello, my name is Lindsay Aguilera Torres and I am running for Student Trustee for
the school year of 25-26. I am running because I care about the voices of students
and I believe full heartedly that in times such as the one were living in the rights
of students are under attack. I want to help be a voice for those who are too afraid
to speak due to the political climate, I want to help relief the stress caused by
uncertainty off the shoulders of students to make their time at Harper a little less
stressful, and most importantly I want to ensure a community for any and all students
regardless of age, gender, race, and etc. Although I don’t have much experience with
being a student trustee, I do have experience with building community with others
and helping out whenever I can. While I was in high school, I loved volunteering to
help out during school events and of those many times in which I volunteered I had
to speak publicly every once and a while so I'm not afraid of public speaking nor
advocating for a cause. Because I'm not afraid to advocate for others as well as myself,
I was able to become a part of leadership within Harpers Latinos Unidos club and while
attending high school I was a part of the student equity committees. With that being
said, I fully understand the importance of this role and if selected I am willing
to do whatever I can to ensure the best for anyone and everyone at Harper. Thank you
so much for taking time out of your day to read my statement and I hope to be in contact
with you soon. Sincerely, Lindsay Aguilera Torres
Adekunbi Aransiola, Candidate for Student Trustee for the 2025–2026 School Year
My name is Adekunbi Aransiola and this is my first year at Harper College. I'm studying
science and specifically astronomy/astrophysics. I’ve loved space and science since
I was in kindergarten, so I chose to pursue it as a career. Now this is all to tell
you, I’m running for the Student Trustee position of 2025-26 school year. When it
comes to what I'll do when I get the position, I’ll get straight to the point. I want
everyone at Harper College to feel more connected and feel like they have a safe space
to go to no matter what. I also want there to be clear and established links between
all different parties and groups on campus like SGA, SE, The Board of Executives,
The Students, and any other group you can think of at Harper. Harper has many systems
in place that can help almost everyone out, but a lot of the time this info is simply
not known by the people that would benefit most. So my job when I get the position
is to make these groups feel less like an island but be more connected with each other.
I would do this by having designated people tasked to sending out any information
they have about certain clubs and activities around Harper College, and share this
information in almost like a “daily post”. This is so that everyone can get easily
accessible information about what happens on campus. This is my goal, but I'll tell
you what makes me the most eligible person for this position. I have heard the stories
and experiences of almost every single group you can think of. I already have a spot
as a representative on Student Government that helps make decisions for what goes
on on campus. I have met and have ties to the president of the school, Dr. Avis Proctor,
along with many other staff and faculty. I’m also very involved on campus in many
different clubs and activities. So after reading this I hope you'll have me in time
when the Student Trustee Elections come around!
Peace.
Selviben Chaudhari, Candidate for Student Trustee for the 2025–2026 School Year
My name is Selviben Chaudhari, and I am currently a second-year student here at Harper
College, majoring in Biology. I stand before you as a student, who truly cares about
the future of our college and the experiences we share here as a community.
I am running for the position of Student Trustee because I believe in the power of
student voices. If given the opportunity to serve as Student Trustee, I will work
to make Harper College a place where every student feels valued, and supported as
I felt. I want all the students to feel like this campus is their second home.I will
prioritize improving all student support services to ensure that every student has
access to the help they need, whether it's academic advising, mental health support,
career guidance, or financial assistance.
In addition, I will work on enhancing communication between students and the administration,
making it easier for students to share their concerns, suggestions, and ideas. By
fostering a more supportive and open environment, we can ensure that every student
feels heard and supported throughout their time at Harper College.
I want to add more career opportunities for students. I want to encourage Harper students
to showcase their work and local residents will be invited to view and purchase their
creations. This event will also offer students the opportunity to explore internships
or work with local professionals. While it's similar to a career seminar,the focus
is on providing a direct display of student talent.This will bring the opportunity
to students to meet the same field professional as well as provide a wide range of
knowledge about their field.
I have experience planning events as I was a member in the international student club.The
International Club taught me how to maintain collaboration and create a peaceful environment
by encouraging open communication, respect for different cultures, and teamwork among
diverse groups, and that bring students together, creating spaces where we can socialize,
network, and grow.
Before entering college, I had the opportunity to meet with teachers from various
fields like sports, art or finance, and collaborate with them to discuss sports events
or competition between art students to encourage them as well as dividing the budget
for it. This experience taught me that having open communication with faculty is key
to ensuring that students receive a high-quality education and are prepared for their
future careers. Through these experiences, I've learned the importance of maintaining
confidentiality, especially when handling sensitive matters. I'm dedicated to doing
everything I can to support students, and I'm committed to listening, acting on feedback,
and ensuring all voices are heard.
I believe these experiences have given me the skills and understanding needed to be
a caring and effective Student Trustee. I kindly request your vote,so we can work
together to improve Harper College. My goal is to ensure that no student is left behind
and that everyone has the help they need to achieve their best.
Thank you for considering me as your candidate. Let's work together for a brighter
future, where we can all achieve success and make a positive impact.
Kisaa Naqvi, Candidate for Student Trustee for the 2025–2026 School Year
Moving to the U.S. at 15 was a whirlwind of change, new culture, new people, and an
entirely new way of life. I was born in Pakistan but spent most of my childhood in
Oman, where I built my earliest memories. Adjusting to life in the United States wasn’t
always easy as I was introduced to a whole new way of life with minimal connections,
but I eventually was able to find my place by getting involved. In high school, I
joined the student council and later served on the executive board for the senior
year club. These experiences strengthened my confidence, leadership abilities, and
passion for helping others feel a sense of belonging, something I now carry with me
as a student aide at Harper Wellness. In my role as a student aide, I regularly attend
events, engage with students, and work to create a welcoming environment on campus
for students. Whether it's through wellness initiatives or just being a familiar face,
I strive to make sure students, no matter their background, know they have a space
here and are able to develop a sense of belonging. As a criminal justice major on
a pre-law track, my goal is to become a prosecutor, advocating for justice and fairness.
But beyond that, I believe in empowering people, especially those who might feel lost
or uncertain when stepping into college life. I understand, firsthand, how intimidating
it can be to navigate a new space, whether you're fresh out of high school or a parent
looking to further your education. That’s why I want every incoming student to feel
supported from day one. College is more than academics, it’s about building connections,
finding your community, and growing into the person you want to become. I’ve been
in those shoes, unsure of where I fit in, and I want others to know they don’t have
to figure it out alone. At Harper, you belong.
Jean Cuna, Candidate for Student Trustee for the 2025–2026 School Year
Hello! My name is Jean, and it would be my supreme pleasure to represent you as your
Student Trustee. My intense passion for law, equality, governance, and social justice
drives my actions here at Harper. I have previously served as the Student Government
Association President here at Harper; as well as Senator for Elgin Community College.
I am currently completing my AAS in Legal Studies at Harper. I plan to work as a paralegal
with dreams of working for the court systems, an agent of common law change. But most
importantly, I am a people person. I have come to know and love many of our Harper
students. Our student body comes from all walks of life; there is no one like you!
Every student on our campus is unique, with their own personalities, beliefs, and
experiences. As such, it is imperative that we accommodate every student in our school.
Every student should feel safe on campus, able to be their true selves without hatred.
Harper’s diversity is what makes us unique; diversity and inclusion is our strength.
As such, it is imperative that the diverse student voice is heard at the highest level:
the Board of Trustees. I would ensure College leadership hears the concerns students
have, and the needs of students be addressed as well. Thank you for considering my
candidacy, and I hope to serve you as your next Student Trustee.
2025–2026 Student Government Association (SGA) Officer Candidates
Kenneth Reyes, Candidate for 2025–2026 Student Government Association President
In my first few years at Harper College, I never desired to be a part of a hierarchy.
The idea of holding another adult accountable made me feel uncomfortable, and I certainly
did not want anyone else to have the right to hold me to any standard. As a social
butterfly, it was impossible to avoid exposure to a hierarchy; in fact, that exposure
grew as I became bolder in participating in classes and organizations. I have learned
to embrace leadership for what it truly is, i.e., a figure that guides and takes accountability for a body of individuals
rather than individuals competing for control. I, Kenneth Reyes, desire to be elected
as the President of the Student Government Association of Harper College as a response
to this revelation. Speaking to my qualifications, I personally believe that my role as President of Cru,
the Christian ministry at this school, has had the greatest impact on my leadership
development, even more than my current involvement in SGA. Given my position, I am
required to lead by example in ways that greatly affect even my personal life. Strictly
speaking the club aspect of it all, I run point in planning our weekly meetings and
Executive Board meetings, I constantly share my vision for the group as a whole, I
check in on all other members of the Board and assign tasks, and I do my best to foster
an environment where any student, Christian or otherwise, feels not only invited but
embraced to speak their mind on the most difficult topics in life. Finding a balance
between being an authoritative figure and genuine friend is challenging, but it certainly
has a way of paying off. Some of that payoff comes in the form of more opportunities,
and this written statement is a testament to that. My most obvious qualification is
my experience in the current makeup is my experience in the current makeup of the
Student Government Association. From recording the details of what actually occurs
in the organization, drafting agendas, tabling, passing legislation, attending Board of Trustees meetings, and chairing a committee of my own(Constitutional Reform),
I am involved in nearly every aspect of SGA’s official duties. As the Chief of Staff
of the Executive Board, my immediate proximity to the President is reflected not only
in my physical seating next to them but also in our consistent weekly collaboration on tasks beyond official duties.
I have witnessed firsthand the necessity of consistent communication, accountability,
and relentlessness. Through my own shortcomings, I have learned the consequences of
missing a deadline or delaying a response. Having experienced the struggles of being a part of the Executive
Board–and thus the challenges of being a part of the whole organization of SGA– my
interest in being President lies in my belief that the face of any organization will
always pale in comparison to the value that a well-led body can accomplish.
Statements have been uploaded as submitted.
Election Timeline
March 5 through April 4, 2025 – Campaigning
April 7 through April 11, 2025 – Vote in the online election via your Harper College student portal
April 14, 2025 – Winners are announced to the campus via Student Engagement’s Instagram account
and the Harper mobile app.
For additional information, email engage@harpercollege.edu, or visit Student Engagement, Building A, 3rd Floor, Room A336, Monday to Friday, 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., when classes are in session.