 LSC-Montgomery student Natalia Hazelwood is working to increase voter turnout, voter registration and civic education on campus.LSC-Montgomery student Jasym Mireles is helping organize campus and community events to increase civic engagement among students. |
Network has selected Lone Star College-Montgomery students, Jasym Mireles and Natalia Hazelwood as Democracy Fellows. Both are working to increase voter turnout, voter registration and civic education on campus. As Democracy Fellows they are also putting a specific emphasis on involving Asian Pacific Islander students in the political process.
“This work is
exciting and important,” said Mireles. “The initiative is a national effort and
LSC-Montgomery is the only college in Texas that was elected to be part of it.”
Mireles was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and moved with his family to Texas
when he was six years old. He plans to pursue degrees in business and international
relations and currently serves as the President of the Honors College, Treasurer
of the Rotaract Club and member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society at
LSC-Montgomery. Mireles participated in National Model U.N. where he received a
position paper award.
Hazelwood grew up in the foster care system, an experience that provided
her with the unique opportunity to practice perseverance in the face of
hardship.
“I have seen inequality and injustice in my past, so my goal is to
advocate for human rights everywhere,” she said. “I continually use this
passion to drive me toward success."
Hazelwood plans to pursue a degree in international relations. She is
enrolled in the Honors College and serves as the Vice President of the Student
Government Association at LSC-Montgomery. She interned with the Woodlands
Chamber of Commerce and has participated in Rotaract Club and
National Model U.N. where she received the Outstanding Delegate in Committee
award.
“We recognize that students’ voices are the least represented in the
polls and we want to work to improve that,” said Hazelwood. “It promises to be
an exciting semester.”
Both Hazelwood and Mireles are collaborating with Asian Pacific Islander
groups in Houston while creating impactful, democratic engagement events for
all students throughout the semester.
“College students are an important part of the electorate, but many do
not vote,” said Michele Richey LSC-Montgomery sociology professor and campus
civic engagement coordinator. “By offering interesting on-campus events that
give them important information, we can help them see the power they have as
voters. Jasym and Natalia are working hard to make sure this campus empowers all
students, faculty, staff and the community to become better citizens.”
For more information on the Democracy Fellows visit campusvoteproject.org/democracy-fellows
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200
College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The
Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit LoneStar.edu/Montgomery.
Known for its leadership,
innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College
provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education / career
training programs to more than 83,000 credit students each semester, and a
total enrollment of 95,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the
community college experience to promote student success and economic
prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest
institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six
colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College
and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.