Gina Cole

Student

“I’m the Publicity Director for the Associated Students. But I think all the group directors should be PR people for the student services at SMC.”

SMC Case Study #2371. Subject: Gina Cole. Status: Returning student; single mom; seven years out of college. Last employment: Dead-end job as court clerk for the Las Vegas DA. Analysis: Unhappy. Financial outlook: Bleak. Decision: Head for SMC; better life, better education. Plans: Career in Journalism/Public Relations. Problem: Cost of books for first semester of study. Solution: Subject Cole teams up with Associated Students and….

“…What I had was an issue with paying the bill at the bookstore, because I had to spend almost $250 for books. So I went without them,” says Subject Cole…er, Gina. “And I got all Bs in my classes, but I coulda aced them if I’d had the books,” she says. “And that’s how I got involved in the AS, because someone there told me they could probably help. And did they ever! Because of this situation, I went all the way to Sacramento with a team of five students and Senator Tom Hayden,” Gina reports. “We lobbied for the Book Voucher bill, and I believe that in the next couple of years, it’s gonna pass. It’s a major issue for lots of people like me who need a little help.” But while Gina waits for that bill to pass, she’s been ‘helping’ herself mightily at SMC.

“I’ve been a Corsair writer and photographer, and this gave me my first experience in print journalism,” reports Gina. “And I’ve been bitten by the bug! Journalism is what I really love, so I’m certain that I’ll be involved in the field somehow. But while I’m here, I’m getting together with fellow commissioners, and we’ll be going out to the classrooms, telling students about the student government opportunities and all the student services they should utilize here. SMC is the best community college, and I want everyone to use it well.” Gina Cole. Case closed; recommend follow-up. Prediction: Major career.

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