New ASMCC president elected; 26,000 students, only 459 votes cast

Walt Porter

The new ASMCC president, Ryne O’Reilly, received 180 votes and was named the new president for 2010-11 school year.Students were able to choose between candidates O’Reilly, Steven Schuab or Andre Salais. All three candidates shared the common goal of increasing student involvement in the school.

In order to cast their vote, students needed to visit their MCC portal page.

While around 26,000 students attend MCC, only 459 votes were cast in the election.

Meredith Warner, the election committee advisor, stated there were 18 individuals who attended the campus debate.

“That’s something we have to work on more, is engaging students more actively, because MCC has tons of bright and brilliant students and they are just waiting to be engaged,” O’Reilly said.

He stated that he was involved with the Model United Nations in high school.

“Once I got to MCC that was kind of the first thing I did,” O’Reilly said.

He stated that it was Spencer Morgan, current ASMCC president, who sparked his interest in student government.

Brian Dille, an MCC teacher, stated that Model UN is an academic program where students learn how to take on a diplomatic role. They learn this through speaking in conference settings similar to the UN. These practices help build leadership and organizational skills.

Prior to the election, O’Reilly said he was a “car-to-class-to-car” student. His involvement was minimal and he only participated in the Model UN program.

Now he will have a role as the liaison for the student government, the administration, the district and the students.

“It’s an important role, it’s one that is really necessary because there are so many things that happen on a district-wide level that don’t get put down, don’t get informed to the students,” O’Reilly said.

He stated that he is dedicated to student involvement.

“Southern and Dobson, Red Mountain, downtown, Gateway… all the different campuses and online students; if we could find away to involve them in student government, we need to… next year we will have a strong community to make the right decisions,” O’Reilly said.

He detaile how he was eventually influenced to take on a greater role at the college.

“It wasn’t until someone came up to me and said, hey there are all these opportunities on campus and when you get involved in those opportunities. it really makes your MCC experience better,” O’Reilly said.

He stated that voting was crucial for students.

“Voting and being a part of your student government is one of the most important things you can do as a student.” O’Reilly said.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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