The Power of Student Leadership

Why it matters

Student voice is not symbolic. It shapes policy, funding, and institutional priorities in real time.

The story

Josiah Rodriguez, a first-generation college student at San Antonio College, enrolled the same day as his mother, who returned to earn her GED through Alamo Colleges’ adult education program.

Today, he serves as the first student trustee in the Texas system, representing more than 88,000 students across Alamo Colleges.

The impact

As student trustee, he:

• Serves as a liaison between students and the board
• Brings student concerns directly into trustee meetings
• Advocates for wraparound services that support persistence
• Helped support a fundraiser that raised $140,000 for GED programs

What makes this different

Alamo Colleges invests in systems that remove barriers:

• Free GED programs
• Food pantries and grab-and-go meals
• Childcare support
• Counseling services
• Community-based training centers

These services help students stay enrolled, protect Pell eligibility, and complete credentials.

Bottom line

Student-centered leadership is not theoretical. When institutions invite students into governance, the result is stronger policy, stronger support systems, and stronger outcomes.