The St. Mary's College Honors Program Student Commission affords Honors students the unique opportunity of  helping to make decisions about how the Honors Program should function as well as overseeing the day to day operations of the Honors program.

In keeping with the SMC Honors Program student driven focus, the Commission brings together 12 students who work as a team to produce a variety of events benefitting the college community, and oversee the academic and social well-being of fellow Honors Program students.

We do this by lending our voices to issues regarding academics, exhibitng the Honors Program to the community, recruiting new Honors students, and bringing the unique students of the Honors Program together in both shared inquiry and just plain old fashioned fun.

In fulfilling these duties, the Honors Commissioners develop diverse skill sets which they will be able to take with them into the world after St. Mary's.

Most of all, the Commission offers students a unique opportunity to integrate themselves into and define a program such that it is truly responsive to its membership and serving the needs of every Honors student.

MEET THE 2011-2012 HONORS COMMISSIONERS!

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Karen Trang, Associate Commissioner of Finance

Hi! I'm from the city of San Francisco and attended Lowell High. I decided to come to Saint Mary's because I came to the Honors Overnight and I felt that the campus was beautiful, scenic, and peaceful. Luckily, Saint Mary's is so much more than that and this college has provided me with all the resources I need to develop into the person I would like to be!

My favorite experience at Saint Mary's is my involvement with clubs like Peer Health Exchange and St. Luke's Pre-medical Society, which have given me the opportunity to get to know amazing individuals who have inspired, guided, and befriended me this past year (and I'm not just talking about Facebook).

My various interests and hobbies include knitting, contemplating religion and the meaning of life, and researching Japanese car modifications.

 Bridget Hannah, Associate Public Relations Commissioner

Hi! Ten points to Gryffindor if you've heard of the town where I'm from: Mariposa, CA!

I chose SMC because I really wanted to go to a small school where I would be able to stand out and make relationships with people, both professors and students. I love the overall feeling of Saint Mary's, and I can't pin it down to just one point. My classes are amazing, the people here wonderful, and the opportunities to be involved with the community and clubs on campus are fabulous.

I want to publish the words of people that will inspire generations, with my own works hopefully among them. I'm a writer by nature and I love to scribble ideas for stories into one of the dozen or so notebooks I carry around with me.

Justher Guiterrez, Associate Academic Commissioner

Hello! I've lived in the South Bay most of my life, and I spent my high school years in Milpitas, CA.

I chose Saint Mary's because I really loved the community feel of it all--I knew that this school would give me the chance to get to know all of my professors and fellow students in a way that wouldn't be possible at other campuses. So far, my favorite experience at SMC has been working with CILSA and doing my part to support service-learning courses. As a communication major, I feel I am going to change the world by creating meaningful media--whether it's short film, a podcast, or an article, I believe that the media has the power to expose issues and promote creative solutions.

In my spare time, I enjoy videoblogging, obsessing over The Hunger Games trilogy, and singing boy band songs with my friends.

 Geno Urbano, Associate Commissioner of Social Events and Community Service

Hello there! I come from Tracy, a town in Central Valley, California.

I came to SMC because I felt like there was much more I could do here than at a California state school, both academically and socially, through the small campus and the abundance of community service activities. My favorite experience so far is working with the Honors Program because it has given me a lot of freedom to do what I wanted, like organize a trip to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The program also helped me get some community service projects started that I have been wanting to do. The program's support in a student's idea(s) has really been something that I have loved.

I want to serve the world by supporting people through life's hardships and make them feel less alone in the world. I felt that by becoming a doctor, I could assure people that they will be okay and that I will be there for them in their time of need.

In my spare time, I like to play the guitar, read comic books, watch Doctor Who or do puzzles like Rubik's cubes. You can say I am a nerd. I see it as having a wide variety of interests. Or a nerd. Whatever you prefer!

Sihang Chen, Finance Commissioner

Hey friends! I'm an international student, one hundred percent made in China. I chose Saint Mary's not only because Saint Mary's offered me generous scholarships, but also because it is located in the Bay Area, where exciting things happen. The best part of my SMC experience is definitely my friends, who made me laugh, think, and feel at home. I'm grateful for having these wonderful people in my life, and Saint Mary's made it happen!

I'm going to pursue a higher education in business, and I wish to become a social entrepreneur who can do well while doing good.

My favorite hobby is to watch the show South Park. I'm simply amazed by its humor, creativity, and of course, boldness.

 Susie Foresman, Public Relations Commissioner

Hi! I'm from Granite Bay, California, a small town about half an hour outside Sacramento.

I chose SMC because I wanted to go to a small private school where it would be easier to receive one-on-one attention and get involved outside of class.

My favorite experience at SMC has been working as a writer and editor for the school newspaper, The Collegian. It's really helped me to develop my skills in a way that will also benefit me in the future. I want to eventually work in the publishing industry, and maybe even change the world through the words I write.

As far as hobbies go, I love speaking French, playing the flute/piccolo, and reading.

 Julie Cozetto, Recruitment Commissioner

Hi everyone! I am from Yakima, WA, and a Junior Integral major.

My favorite thing about Saint Mary’s is that it has become another home. It is such a welcoming community and the support you find here is overwhelming. Here you will meet professors who care about you as a person, friends who will understand and accept you, classes that challenge your preconceived beliefs, and an environment that pushes you to discover who you are meant to be and gives you the resources to pursue that dream.

My January term sophomore year was the epitome of a life-changing experience. I had the opportunity to travel to Israel and the West Bank to learn about the region and conflict politically and religiously. This trip opened my eyes to a completely different side of the world and all the cultural differences turned learning experiences that go along with that. Because of this experience, I have decided that I am going to change the world through working for policy change on the international level, hopefully through non-profit work.

My favorite hobby besides meeting new people is running. You can learn a lot about yourself and your abilities as you continuously push yourself to new limits and overcome those boundaries.

 Bianca Auble, Events Commissioner

HI! I am a junior at Saint Mary’s College majoring in biology with a minor in creative writing. After completing my degree, I plan to pursue a career in the medical field as a physician.

At Saint Mary’s I am involved in the Rotaract Club, a service organization sponsored by Rotary International, and as a liturgical minister at Sunday masses. I work for the Admissions Office as a Student Ambassador giving campus tours and welcoming prospective students and their families into our community of Gaels. I am also a long time supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event.

This past summer, I completed a summer research project through Saint Mary’s School of Science Summer Research Program focusing on the study of surface-level ozone.

When I am not in lab or giving tours, you might find me running on the trails of Moraga, playing some pick-up soccer or basketball, or reading a good novel.

 Brian Shaw, Executive Commissioner

Hey there! I come from a tiny little town called Gustine, CA, in the Central Valley.

I came to SMC after high school because, though I thought about going to a lot of big UCs, I realized that SMC was the place where I could truly grow. Right off the bat, I got involved in an organization called Peer Health Exchange, which allowed me to learn all about the disparities in education and gain an understanding of how we talk to people about health. I continue to be involved with it to this day, and I think it's probably the best thing I've done at SMC.

I hope to one day change the world by, I know it's cliche, becoming a doctor. I have a passion for fighting inequality in healthcare and hope to one day translate that into praxis and policy which allows for a more equitable distribution of health.

Probably most importantly, I love music. I've played piano since I was four, and can't think of anything more fun than just sitting down and banging out a few four-chord songs.

Jaycee Caslnuovo, Associate Recruitment Officer

Hi all! I'm from Marin County--Fairfax, CA, to be specific. It's a place near and dear to my heart and is commonly referred to as the last free hippie town.

Both my grandpa and my dad went to Saint Mary's and loved it. Initially I had no intention of coming here because I was so sick of hearing how great this school was. Then I came for my first visit and met Brother Dominic. His interactions with the community opened my eyes to the unique college experience Saint Mary's offers, one in which there are strong community ties and professors know students by name. I couldn't be happier that I'm here. I've even found another family at Saint Mary's; we have our own Facebook group called the "SMC Family." I'm passionate about working with people, especially children. I hope to some day be that one "cool teacher" you still remember to this day.

I love puns and corny jokes, and I tend to laugh at my own jokes ouder than anyone else.