Learn and serve as a student trustee

The BHC student trustee position allows a student to learn and serve.

“It is an amazing opportunity that opens doors far beyond the community college environment,” said Vashti Berry, Coordinator of Orientation and Student Life at East Campus.

Berry is a BHC graduate and a former student trustee. She said the experience defined her love for higher education and ultimately led to her pursuing a career in higher ed.

The student trustee is a non-voting member who serves alongside the seven-member Board of Trustees, which governs Black Hawk College. Every year the students elect a student trustee for a one-year term to represent the student body.

Currently, student trustee petitions for candidacy are being accepted at Black Hawk College East Campus. The position alternates between the two campuses annually.

Petitions are available in the Advising Center (Building A, second floor), Veterinary Sciences Center, and in Building 5 – Ag Pavilion (white message board area at the entrance of the stable).

Current student trustee, Nick Cave, of Colona, is a sophomore earning his Associate in Arts at the Quad-Cities Campus.

“It’s been really neat. It’s taught me to speak up, listen to everyone’s opinions, and make an informed decision,” he said. Cave has also enjoyed learning how an organization works, and seeing the leadership in action.

Petitions for the 2019-2020 student trustee will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at the East Campus, with elections in the Advising Center on Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be of the age of 18 years or older at time of election.
• Be a resident of the Black Hawk College district.
• Be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester.
• Not be concurrently enrolled in high school.
• Have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at Black Hawk College.
• Have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better.
• Maintain good academic and disciplinary conduct.
• Not be a full-time or part-time employee of the college, not including student employment.

Student responsibilities include attending monthly board meetings, which rotate between the Quad-Cities Campus and the East Campus, and presenting a report.

The student trustee also reports Board of Trustees meeting minutes at Student Government Association (SGA) meetings and attends the majority of Illinois Community College Board Student Advisory Committee meetings, which requires travel.

Cave’s advice for the next student trustee is to go into the position with an open mind, and be accessible to other students: be active on campus and let them know you are available to speak to.