In the hot seat

Chico State senior Joseph Igbineweka, who is from Nigeria and dedicated to sustainability efforts, was elected president of the Associated Students in May by his peers. During the upcoming school year, Igbineweka will be involved in serious decision-making on campus—all while attending classes and completing homework assignments.

What made you want to run for A.S. president?

I ran because it has always been my passion to serve people, to just do things that make a difference. I believe government, or any type of bureaucracy, is so large and enormous that people, including students, are sometimes left out in discussions that will affect their daily lives. I just like speaking out for those whose opinions don’t get heard.

What main changes are you looking forward to making at Chico State?

I don’t think I ran on a platform of change, so I am not looking to change anything. But I am looking forward to building on past success and working on areas where I feel we are serving students less. If there are any areas I feel need change, count on me for that.

What challenges are you worried about facing?

The only challenge I am worried about this coming year is the budget. It sickens me to my stomach to see students not getting the services they are paying for, and at the same time taking the biggest hit. Although I do see it as a challenge, I also see it as an opportunity for the university to continue to look for ways to provide quality education as this financial uncertainty will continue to change the face of public education. I also see this as an opportunity for students to start planning ahead as well as making sound decisions on their part that will reflect these changes.

What is the biggest benefit of holding this position?

I think the biggest benefit is just having the opportunity to talk to decision makers, and help influence their decisions for the [benefit] of students. Another benefit is that I get to practice what I have been taught in all my political-science classes. But I must say I am not in this for politics. The biggest benefit of all is having the opportunity to be the face of almost 17,000 students.

How will this position will help you later on in life?

I think it will help me understand more about public policy and also shape my activist skills. It will help me in so many ways that I cannot fathom now, but I hope this question is asked again at the end of this coming school year when my term is over and I’ll surely have a full list.