SANTA ANA, Calif. — Stephen Reid was sworn in as the new student trustee for the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) during the Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Sept. 14, beginning a term representing students from Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College at the District level.
Reid, a Santiago Canyon College student studying business and economics and pursuing an associate degree for transfer, comes to the Board with experience in student government and participatory governance. He previously served as president of SCC’s Inter-Club Council and as chief justice.
His interest in serving as student trustee grew from his involvement in District-level budget discussions, where he gained a broader understanding of how decisions affecting students and the colleges are made. The experience also introduced him to another side of student leadership, one focused on policy, governance, and advocating for change.
“That experience gave me exposure to a new side of how the District works and made me realize that policy and making change are things I’m passionate about,” Reid said. “That’s what ultimately led me to run for student trustee.”
As a candidate, Reid emphasized integrity, collaboration, and transparency, along with a commitment to ensuring students have a voice in the decisions that affect their educational experience. He said his previous leadership roles allowed him to work with students, faculty and campus leaders while gaining experience bringing different perspectives together.
As student trustee, Reid intends to build on that experience by maintaining a presence at both colleges, participating in campus meetings and forums, and creating opportunities to hear directly from students.
“Being able to represent students across both colleges is an honor,” Reid said. “I want students to know that their voices matter. My goal is to listen, make sure students at both SAC and SCC are heard and advocate for opportunities that help them succeed.”
Balancing multiple responsibilities is not new for Reid. During his first year at SCC, he simultaneously served as Inter-Club Council president and chief justice while taking 18 units, participating in a club and working. He said those experiences taught him how to manage competing responsibilities and prepared him to devote his attention to representing students across the District.
Reid said he also recognizes that representing two colleges requires deliberately reaching beyond his home campus. He plans to spend time at both SAC and SCC and engage with their respective student governments, student organizations, and individual students to better understand the priorities and concerns on each campus. In his interview, Reid specifically identified forums, meetings, and direct conversations with students as ways he intends to keep those lines of communication open.
Contact:
Eugene W. Fields
Interim Chief Communications Officer
Rancho Santiago Community College District
714.628.5936
fields_eugene@rsccd.edu
About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Rancho Santiago Community College District is one of California’s largest community college districts and includes Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College. RSCCD provides credit and noncredit education, transfer pathways, career education and workforce training to students throughout its communities.