LCC Senate seeking engaged students

Sophia Potter
Editor in Chief

Looking for a way to make an impact with your time at LCC? The Student Advisory Committee may be the perfect place for you.

“We are actively looking for students,” said Senator Elizabeth Clifford, chair of the Student Advising Committee. “They don't have to make a year-long or even a semester-long commitment. We want to hear student voices as much as they are able to participate.”

The Student Advisory Committee is one of six subcommittees of the Academic Senate, a wider program that is focused on furthering the overall success of students at LCC. In the past the committee has advocated for positive changes around campus, including the UM-Sparrow Mobile Health Center visits and, more recently, an initiative to purchase more calculators for students to rent.

“The purpose of this committee is to enhance student learning, and the student experience, by providing student input and advice to the Academic Senate,” Clifford explained.

Student Senator and Digital Media Specialist major Aral Gribble said he also sees how valuable student input is to the overall improvement of the college.

“The ultimate goal of the Academic Senate is student learning, which means student success!” Gribble said. “Who better to know how to help students succeed but the students?”

As a long-time activist, the opportunity to become a student senator piqued his interest when Media Ethics Professor and Engagement Chair Lisa Whiting Dobson brought it to his attention last fall.

“Initially, I joined out of a habit of saying ‘yes’ to things that sound exciting,” Gribble joked.

The experience quickly opened his eyes to how important student leadership positions and the work of the Student Advisory Committee truly are, as well as what made him a perfect fit for the position.

“I came back to the senate because I saw a disconnect at LCC, like within most larger institutions: between departments, between roles, and between the college and its students,” Gribble said.

“As a non-traditional student, I'm the same age, if not older, than many of my professors, so I think sometimes I'm less intimidated than my peers. As a performer I'm definitely not shy about speaking up, so I feel especially equipped to bring the students’ needs, issues and concerns to the Academic Senate.”

Clifford and Gribble both stressed that a huge part of their role as senators is to represent the incredibly diverse student population – a feat best accomplished through community engagement.

"We want to hear your voice,” Clifford said. “What is working well? What isn't? What ideas do you have?”

Gribble added: “I believe that building community is humanity's superpower. I mean, there's nothing we couldn't do if we all worked together!”

The Student Advisory Committee meets every other Monday from 2:10 to 3 p.m., and the Academic Senate meets every other Friday at 9:10 a.m. via Webex. To join a meeting or learn more, contact SAC Chair Elizabeth Clifford at cliffoe@star.lcc.edu.