With only one term left before leaving Linn-Benton Community College, here is a light shone on our SLC Vice President, Nia Alvarado.
She is a computer science major at Linn-Benton Community College, and is dual-enrolled at OSU as a computer science major with an option in artificial intelligence. She’s been at LBCC for two years now, and is about to graduate. She will continue on with OSU, and take some summer classes at Chemeketa Community College.
She has been a Roadrunner for two years, and for five terms she’s been our SLC V.P. Spring term will be her last one in student government.
What inspired you to study computer science with an option in artificial intelligence?
Oh, it’s actually really interesting. I had to write an essay my senior year about artificial intelligence, and originally I was against it. But I actually found myself loving it and falling in love with computer science. I always thought I’d be a politician, which is crazy because I hate politics now. So that essay inspired me to explore engineering as an entire field. I really didn’t know much about it, and I hated math, and didn’t really like science until that year.
What is it about A.I. that you love so much?
I love the connection to the human brain that it has with it, and it’s connection to machinery. I really like how we can take simple everyday things, like my Google Home that I can’t live without, and apply it to make our lives easier. I also really like future technology, and so I wanted to be a part of that push into the future.
What are your plans for after college and your future career?
Interestingly enough, I will probably never touch computer science again, unless it’s for my own personal gain or use. After LB I’ll be finishing up at OSU next year, and after that I’m not sure if I’ll be working full time, going to school, or both. But, I’m actually going to be pursuing a different degree in a career field I want -- I’ll be doing aerospace engineering.
I don’t want to be a part of space exploration, I want to start off by working on smaller projects like satellites.
Unfortunately, nowhere in Oregon has this program, and so I’ve actually checked out a program in Florida. I’m also looking into Boulder University in Colorado. I wanted to be closer to home and go to USC, but I don’t want to pay that price; they’re expensive and living in California is super expensive.
Switching gears, talk about your your position as V.P.:
I really like it. It was more than I thought it was going to be, not workload wise, but it has been a great experience. I went in thinking that this is something that will be great for my resume; I would get letters of recommendation, I get to work with staff, and I know how staff connections have always helped me personally.
It’s been a really great experience because my team are amazing people, with all different types of majors and personality types. We also have a guide [Rob Camp] who helps us with a ton of things, classes or any department.
What kind of things do you do in SLC?
We do quite a bit [in SLC] that goes unnoticed. With the elections, we just got our results back from people that voted and their feedback for what we need to do, and a lot of stuff we already do, so just getting that out there next year I think is going to be huge. We help out with graduation, we pay for a pretty big amount of it, and help with and pay for pretty much all of the events you used to see on campus -- hopefully, we’ll get black to normal life soon. We hold tuition hearings, also talk with faculty and make sure they are not overstepping students. I personally have a judiciary board that I run, and we go through all the documents, by-laws, and the [SLC] constitution that we all voted for, and make sure it stays updated. We keep track of all the money that is allocated to the clubs, making sure that they are staying updated and engaged. We also have open Zoom meeting times for students, Monday through Friday.
Why is SLC important, and what made you want to become a part of it?
I believe SLC is important because we are the voice for the students. Students can reach out to faculty themselves, but it’s not always so easy for them to get into contact with them, like we can. Angie Geno [SLC president] and I meet every month with President Lisa Avery, and we are also able to talk with representatives, and lobby for students for whatever cause it may be. [This year, they’re lobbying for financial support for the school.]
What’s been the greatest challenge being in SLC?
The biggest challenge would be for me personally, managing our time. Right now, I don’t have to worry about too much currently, and usually we’d be doing things like events, and things that we can’t really do this year. Almost all of our activities have been cut this year, and we’ve lost a few members.
What’s your biggest accomplishment in SLC?
I’d say probably getting out of my comfort zone. I originally was going to be the legislative affairs director, but then our initial V.P. didn’t meet one of the requirements, so that’s how I fell into the position; I didn’t get elected. So I didn’t expect to be in this position at all, so having to talk to all the faculty and go to all these meetings, and having to speak when I’m normally a quiet person in class, really forced me out of my comfort zone.
What’s one thing SLC has done that you feel has made a big difference?
We donated $5000 to the LB Thanksgiving Food Drive, and so students could come get money for groceries. Which was nice because people saw that we donated money, and so they donated money.
Another one that I feel will be really great [once it’s up and running] is that we created a volunteer website, where you can see volunteer opportunities, and there’s a chance that some of that volunteer work will equate to a certain dollar amount that will be applied to the student’s LB account or debt.
Who have you found at LB to be really helpful?
(Student Leadership Coordinator) Rob (Camp) is a huge one, he helps me with absolutely everything. He goes out of his way to make sure his students will not fail.
At a Glance:
Position: Student and LBCC SLC V.P.
Age: 21
Hometown: Independence, Oregon.
Education: Working on associate and bachelor’s in computer science with an option for artificial intelligence at LBCC and OSU.
Dream: To work as an aerospace engineer, working on technologies that launch us forward into the future.
Other Interests: Everything fashion, snowboarding, hiking, traveling, and almost anything science (except chemistry!).
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