Newly elected Associated Students of Central Oregon Community College President Talia Stockwell answers 10 questions from leadership to resources.
The Broadside: What made you decide to run for ASCOCC president?
Talia Stockwell: My time on the student government last year showed me how much potential student government has to connect the COCC community together. I was driven by a desire to push the student government further; supporting our clubs, hosting events, and advocating for student basic needs are just the start of what ASCOCC can do.
TB: What’s been the biggest surprise since stepping in?
TS: The biggest surprise has been the dedication and enthusiasm that this year’s council has shown. We have a lot of passion and creativity in this team, and I am excited to see what we make of it!
TB: If you could change one thing at COCC right now, what’s first?
TS: If I could change one thing, it would be expanding the ways that students are connected to information. Currently, there is no easy way for students to find out about the resources, events, or club meetings around the four campuses. The information is often only contained on physical flyers or buried deep in the COCC website. A central hub or calendar where students can easily find this information would be amazing.
TB: What’s something students don’t know about ASCOCC but should?
TS: That we are always eager to help! Any time that our office doors are open or you see us tabling around campus, we are happy to hear your questions or concerns! We love connecting with students, so don’t be afraid to make your voice heard.
TB: What do you think students need most this year?
TS: There are so many right answers to this question, but one thing stands out to me the most: community. There are so many struggles that students face every day, but it gets easier when you can weather the storm with others. Feeling belonging and support is so essential, yet it is often overlooked.
TB: Where do you go in Bend when you need to reset?
TS: Honestly, the ASCOCC office! Whenever I am in between classes or killing time before an event, I always find myself drifting back to the office. It is a constant priority of mine to ensure that the office is a safe, comfortable space for all students, and that of course includes me as well.
TB: If COCC could bring any artist or speaker, who are you picking?
TS: Admittedly, most of top picks have been dead for centuries. But if I could have any living speaker come to COCC, it would probably be the author Peter Block. Last spring, I read his book Community: The Structure of Belonging and it inspired a lot of how I view community and the ways I go about bringing it into reality. In fact, even the recent ASCOCC office rearrangement was inspired by his work, though I may have taken the idea of “creating space” a little too literally!
TB: One word for this school year so far and why that one?
TS: Exciting! It has been an intense, jam-packed start to the year. I am excited about the possibilities and progress being made, even if things have felt a little hectic.
TB: What’s been your most presidential moment? Your least?
TS: For my most presidential moment, it would have to be my recent trip to OSU-Cascades. ASCOCC has been in contact with their student government to find ways to pursue our shared goals. Despite having a wildly different student body, we have experienced a lot of the same struggles. It has been so amazing to build connections and explore possibilities to collaborate. For my least presidential moment… there are too many to count!
TB: Is there anything else we should know?
TS: ASCOCC has so many underutilized resources. We have a food bank in our office (CCC 207) where students can stop by and grab what they need. We have a professional development fund that supports up to $200 towards conference fees, trainings, professional workshops and more. And last but not least, we have a vast array of student clubs where students can get involved and make friends.
