The most frequently asked question I’ve received between the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters was; “What’s it like?”
I was a reporter and editor for The Rampage, Fresno City College’s student-run news organization, while also being the communications officer for the Associated Student Government.
After countless hours put into both responsibilities, I can confidently say that I will NOT be doing that again.
It was definitely a struggle trying to blend both parts of my life. On one hand, I gained so much information and connections in ASG that I would have never had in The Rampage.
As ASG, a constituent student government, our job is to hear students’ needs and concerns and assist them in the best way we can. We represent the students’ voices.
In the Rampage, we report on these actions, as well as the inaction. We represent the students’ voices, but also hold the people responsible accountable.
I had so much insight on what happened on campus, especially with clubs and campus culture. Where we as ASG tried to act on, and where as The Rampage we tried to inform.
But there were limitations to how much I could report on when the conflict of interest was a huge factor. I had questions on why I was even doing both when I knew journalism was my passion and I was gonna stick with The Rampage in the end.
As much as ASG gave me a headache sometimes, the experience was one that I think I needed going into a field where I would be trusted to inform and inherently care about advocacy and humanizing everything I heard and was curious about.
One of the biggest challenges we as students and people faced was the fear around ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and our district’s protocol. It was pushed as one of the biggest concerns by the club MEChA (Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán), a student organization advocating political education for Chicano Latino students, that we needed to address as ASG.
Our Student Representative Natalia Montelongo made sure our part of advocacy and support happened, with the help of the majority of us.
With our resources and strength as ASG, that was our job. Knowing these issues and having a direct link to connecting with people who experienced these fears, I then got to write a story on these concerns and emphasized on its reality and impact.
It took some time and lots of collaboration, but we provided red “know your rights” cards for students and hosted an informational session with speakers.
It was great having the opportunity to be put in the position of a leader and addressing student needs. But I feel like I learned so much about how important issues could be handled or in some instances—not addressed at all.
I feel like there’s more we could have accomplished but there was a lack of intention and consistency in all of us. For this, I felt frustrated and at times disappointed with myself.
As ASG gained more members during the second semester, I started to see that we were divided. On some levels, I think there was more consideration over our bond as a team rather than the initiative we needed to take, despite how uncomfortable it may be, as a government that is professional and representative of the students.
One thing I hope for in the next ASG is to not trade the importance of accountability for our friendships within the organization. It was in the vote to impeach a senator that I realized this imbalance and wished for better not just as a leader, but as a student.
It’s my goal as a reporter to make sure we are holding people accountable, but I also don’t want to contribute to a system of government that might fail us when the people it serves aren’t always its’ priority. Instead, I’m making sure I’m doing my part talking to these communities directly, and giving their voice back to them tenfold.
Beyond everything, I love the collaboration we as ASG had in building our foundation and bonding. It left me with friends I connected with beyond just views and brought so much comfort during the stressful times. I’m even thankful for it exposing me to situations where I’ve felt out of place.
Next semester, I’ll be continuing my time in The Rampage as the Editor-in-Chief. With my experience in ASG, one of my biggest goals going forward is to make sure that the students know what the students representing them are doing.
One of the biggest reflectors of our current times is feeling wronged by the highest form of government, so much that we forget the smaller systems that mimic the ways set in place, even if they are perceived as minor.
In the Rampage, I want to make sure that the students know that even because we feel solidarity as students, we need to be aware of who’s representing us and how our voice is being used and heard—and that’s what ASG role is on campus.
I’ll still be a leader, but just in one way.
