By Miggy Aguilar and Melisa Rodriguez
Graphic by Maya Uribe
On July 18. Jazmin Guajardo, a senior nursing major at CI, was appointed to the CSU Board of Trustees by Governor Gavin Newsom. This was a landmark achievement for CI not only because Guajardo was the first CI student to ever be appointed to the Board of Trustees, but also due to her unique background and extensive leadership experience.
Guajardo, a resident of Santa Paula, has held several leadership positions at CI that have made her both an anchor for our community and an accomplished, well-rounded student. Guajardo has served as president of the CI Student Nurses’ Association, is founder and president of the CI League of United Latin American Citizens Collegiate Council, and is also a member of CI’s Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) Student Government Lobby Corps.
When asked, Guajardo gave insight into tasks a trustee undertakes and the process of being appointed as a trustee. “I was officially appointed on July 18, and the application process is through the Cal State Student Association. I submitted my application over there. From there, they select students to be interviewed by them, their committee, and all 23 student government presidents. I was in a Zoom Room with about 23 to 25 people. They asked me a couple questions, and I was able to share why I was interested in some of the commitments that I would have and how I would vote on certain positions. I really addressed it in a way that really highlighted my values and my commitment to students and the CSU,” Guajardo said of the appointment process and how she personally approached it.
Guajardo also explained some of her responsibilities as a trustee. “In terms of responsibilities, there’s oversight over multiple areas and policies within the entire CSU. I don’t have a specific oversight over individual campuses. It’s the entire CSU, and I serve as fiduciary to the entire system. And there’s also a lot of committees and joint committees. There are audits, collective bargaining, campus planning, building and grounds, educational policy, finance organization, rules, governmental relations, institutional advancement, University and faculty personnel. I was recently appointed to some of them this past Wednesday,” Guajardo outlined.
Guajardo attributed much of her work for the CSU to be in service of students like her whose backgrounds have only recently seen proper representation at the systemwide level. “In terms of my background, I’m a first generation Latino student, and I’m also a student in the Education Opportunity Program, so it serves low income students, and usually they’re first generation as well. When I was younger, I lived in low income housing in Oxnard. That’s where my family really prioritized working in fast food and retail industries to make ends meet. And I carry that with me in my decision makings, and when I meet with students and when I meet with stakeholders, and it’s very important to me for students to know they have someone that has a similar background, like them, and that I carry those experiences while I’m serving on the Board of Trustees, and I’m also not someone that really speaks only from my personal experience. I always reach out to students to learn about their experience, because I can’t cover every student’s lived experience, and I reach out to a lot of students to really incorporate their lived experiences.” Guajardo actively encourages students to reach out, emphasizing the importance of student voices in shaping the future of CSU policies and programs.
Guajardo also shared with us several of her recent agenda items that hold importance to the whole CSU system. Among these agenda items were her involvement with the Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, the Joint Committee on Educational Policy & Finance, the Committee on Educational Policy, the Committee on University Faculty & Personnel and discussion regarding the enforcement of the interim Time, Place, and Manner Policy, specifically on masking, identification and violations.
Lastly, the proposal for the integration of Cal Maritime with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was discussed amidst a variety of other agenda items throughout her meetings with the Cal State Student Association (CSSA).
By connecting with Guajardo, students have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, learn about the role of trustees and contribute to decision-making processes that impact the entire CSU community. “I really, really want students to know that we’re here to help them succeed and continue their degree or any program that they’re in, and that the CSU has a very transformative process at the end of their graduation. Their degree is very transformative. And I think that’s empowering in itself, to know that the CSU is really supporting their students.” Guajardo highlights the importance of student participation, stating that when students get involved, they not only advocate for themselves but for future students as well. To learn more, watch the full interview this week and contact Guajardo for further information!
Guajardo’s contact information: jguajardo@calstate.edu
