Laney chooses Hong
First Asian student ASLC President
Willie Bermudez
Issue date: 5/14/09 Last update: 5/18/09 at 10:46 AM PST
Section: News
In a record setting spring election last month, ASLC senator Ju Hong won the presidency.
"I was so excited and happy. I felt supported because of all of the people that voted for me," said Hong about his victory. Hong was elected with 392 votes to Secretary Courtney Hom's 183.
The senator is already making strong plans for the next semester by creating the program Apass to aide the international and recent immigrant students at Laney. The program is designed to help students learning English, transferring and learning the American culture. The program will consist of classes that will be one halve lecture, and the other halve tutoring. Counselors will be involved and the program will count for six units. "I migrated to the U.S. when I was 12 years old, so I know how difficult it is to learn English and adjust to a new culture," says Hong.
He also plans to increase the scholarships for immigrant, disable students and others. Hong wants to encourage students to get involved in the different club organizations on campus "to improve one's needs, you have to step up and get involved in the community," said Hong. "We need to have Laney know that students are first."
Building bridges between the Laney administration and it's students is something Hong wants to continue.
"Communication is key in leadership, I want staff to know the students concerns" says Hong; who plans to have meetings between the two parties. Hong plans to outreach to other community colleges all over the Bay Area to do different events together, as well to involve Laney in the community as a whole by hosting town hall meetings or working with non-profit organizations.
At just 19, Hong is the youngest student body president at Laney in seven years. Although young, he has six years of leadership experience under his belt since his days in Alameda High where he was Sports Commissioner.
"I have things to learn form others, like Ray [Henderson, ASLC president for the 08-09 school year] who did a good job last semester." He added, "I have made some mistakes in the past, but have definitely learned so much from them that will make come through."
He is now working for six different non-profit organizations that deal with immigration reform. He is the president of the Asian American Association and is currently senator until the semester ends. So prepare for Ju Hong--THE BEAST.
"I was so excited and happy. I felt supported because of all of the people that voted for me," said Hong about his victory. Hong was elected with 392 votes to Secretary Courtney Hom's 183.
The senator is already making strong plans for the next semester by creating the program Apass to aide the international and recent immigrant students at Laney. The program is designed to help students learning English, transferring and learning the American culture. The program will consist of classes that will be one halve lecture, and the other halve tutoring. Counselors will be involved and the program will count for six units. "I migrated to the U.S. when I was 12 years old, so I know how difficult it is to learn English and adjust to a new culture," says Hong.
He also plans to increase the scholarships for immigrant, disable students and others. Hong wants to encourage students to get involved in the different club organizations on campus "to improve one's needs, you have to step up and get involved in the community," said Hong. "We need to have Laney know that students are first."
Building bridges between the Laney administration and it's students is something Hong wants to continue.
"Communication is key in leadership, I want staff to know the students concerns" says Hong; who plans to have meetings between the two parties. Hong plans to outreach to other community colleges all over the Bay Area to do different events together, as well to involve Laney in the community as a whole by hosting town hall meetings or working with non-profit organizations.
At just 19, Hong is the youngest student body president at Laney in seven years. Although young, he has six years of leadership experience under his belt since his days in Alameda High where he was Sports Commissioner.
"I have things to learn form others, like Ray [Henderson, ASLC president for the 08-09 school year] who did a good job last semester." He added, "I have made some mistakes in the past, but have definitely learned so much from them that will make come through."
He is now working for six different non-profit organizations that deal with immigration reform. He is the president of the Asian American Association and is currently senator until the semester ends. So prepare for Ju Hong--THE BEAST.
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