Candidate for President
Karina Villeda
Inver Hills Community College
Bio
I spent my childhood in Saint Paul, and I began working at my mother's grocery store at the age of 12. After high school graduation, I spent eight years serving as a bartender at a casino, an experience that shaped my sociable nature and empathy toward others. After a devastating breakup, I found myself pregnant and enrolled in college, hoping to positively influence my daughter's life.
What degree or certificate program are you seeking?
Bachelor's in political science and psychology and a certificate in Paralegal Studies
Please describe your previous student government or professional experience, and how it has prepared you for this position.
I started out in the Citizens League program, which taught me about the political process and helped me get an internship at a law firm called Faegre Drinker and Biddle, where I worked in governmental affairs. In the meantime, I was also the Student Senate President, where I was familiarizing myself with the system and what I could do to change students' life. I will say that much of my influence came from LeadMN and what they taught me I can do with my Senate and as a person. After I got some experience at the law firm, I was contacted by a professor who told me about an internship with the office of U.S. Senator Tina Smith. I worked with lots of government agencies and learned how different systems work inside our state and federal governments. After my internship was over, I was honored to be elected as Vice President at LeadMN in December, it was unexpected, but I learned a lot about the Minnstate system, how our colleges work, how to get legislation passed, and how to be a successful advocate. My extensive experience this past year and a half has geared me up to be a passionate, innovative advocate here to make some positive changes to student's life and those coming after us. It geared me up for the position of President because I am willing to make a change, and I am here to teach others our power.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for this position as President because I have the passion and fight to advocate for our students. I want to make equitable and positive changes and lead with passion, compassion, some humor, and style, just as Maya Angelou stated. I am also here to learn from each other to see how we can help each other out. I am here to be a listener because when you listen, you are better able to propose solutions to issues, and you are more empathetic because everyone is different, and everyone brings different things to the table. I am also here to teach because I want to let students know the kind of power, they have no matter what their position is at school or in life, we all have the power to make changes and to let the world know we are here to make changes.
What challenges do you see facing Minnesota's community and technical college students?
The high cost of tuition is putting a burden on people, and many people aren't enrolling in school because of the cost. Some are dropping out because they can't afford to attend school or even pay for it. While in school, many students face food insecurities, and in some instances, they are not aware they can apply for SNAP, they don't know about the pantry on campus, or they are not receiving nutritious food from the pantry. Students are lacking the help they can get to understand and get financial aid. There is a lack of information being told to students about the resources available on campus, like tutoring, career services, and how to get emergency grants. There is a lack of mental health resources and people available to help. Student parents often lack the necessary resources to succeed in school while caring for their children, particularly with childcare. There is also transferring information that students are unaware of and instances where their graduation gets delayed. As someone who has personally experienced many of these difficulties during my two years in community college, it is imperative that we address these issues.