Two Lives, One Campus – How CWU’s Student Body President Juggles Work and Life
story and photo by Hondo Acosta-Vega
When you step into any role of student government, you take on responsibilities that come with little recognition, few awards and times when many of your accomplishments will go entirely unnoticed by a majority of the campus.
It’s something that many members of student government experience as we begin our transition from year to year, understanding our job involves a level of selflessness and a willingness to speak up for our fellow students.
Seeing us pass in the halls, running with a padfolio in our hand or even holding meetings in the SURC Pit, you might not know that this is because we are taking on challenges and conversations and roles that involve things we want to change on campus. Students should know who we are in these roles, and trust us that we are representing your voices with passion. We take on great stress, strength and dedication to do what’s right.
That’s who I am. That’s who Hondo is.
Becoming a board member, and especially President of the ASCWU Student Government, we never truly are off the clock. I spend many hours of my day on student government, not out of necessity but out of choice. When I ran for the position in spring, I ran on the premise of transparency, openness and wanting to create a new form of student government. I think I’m making progress in ways I didn’t think were possible.
But the challenge lies in just that — when does my day end as President Hondo, and when does it begin as just Hondo? When I can leave my polo behind and pick up my leather jacket and relax? How do I do this when my eyes check my phone every minute for a new email? Even when I know that I can step away from the work for the day, my lives as President Hondo and Just Hondo blur more and more each day. I have more to learn, but for now, I want to keep ensuring I do my job well every day.
Why?
Because the student body voted for me and gave me their trust. And I don’t intend to break it.