Student Leaders

At the end of the 2019-20 academic year, Abierre Minor and Brenda Matias-Cruz were elected president and vice president, respectively of the Associated Students of Monmouth College, the student governing body of the College also known as ASMC.

Joining Minor and Cruz on ASMC’s executive board are the following six students:

Ezzie Baltierra-Chavez ’22
Hometown: Denver
Major: Political science and communication studies
The job duties of your new ASMC position: I am the clerk for ASMC, so my job is to manage and distribute information to the executive team and student body. I am in charge of sending emails, creating memos, maintaining files and coordinating team schedules.
The top issues you expect ASMC to tackle: We are the voice of Monmouth and so as a team I want us to focus on ensuring that all student voices are equally heard. I want us to create a community in which we are able to provide resources for students of color; I want us to create initiatives where we tackle mental health issues on campus such as anxiety; and, importantly, I want us to be a team where no student is afraid to voice what is most important to them and their community.
On-campus involvements: I am on the cross country, soccer and track teams. I also work at Einstein’s Bagels.

Joe Doner ’21
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Major: International studies and French
The job duties of your new ASMC position: As parliamentarian, it is my job to oversee the implementation of the ASMC constitution as well as the formation and approval of all of the individual club and organization constitutions. At ASMC meetings, it is my job to help keep and enforce the rules of order to ensure that all groups and organizations are well represented and heard.
The top issues you expect ASMC to tackle: The two biggest issues that ASMC will be facing this year would be the pandemic and the fight against systemic racism – both of these issues lead into a third essential issue, Monmouth’s place in the local, county and state-wide community.
On-campus involvements: Stockdale Fellows, the Monmouth College Courier, Monmouth College Democrats, Students for Environmental Awareness, Monmouth College AV Crew, Rotaract, Intercultural Life, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, Mortar Board honor society, Blue Key honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha honor society and the Monmouth College Pre-Law Group.

Lizbeth Gutierrez ’21
Hometown: Chicago
Major: Sociology and anthropology with a concentration on human services
The job duties of your new ASMC position: My student affairs representative position requires me to create a strong relationship between ASMC and the students at Monmouth. In doing so, I am responsible for addressing any issues on campus to ensure every student at Monmouth feels comfortable and safe on campus.
The top issues you expect ASMC to tackle: I think my amazing team and I will be able to approach the issues of mental health, sexual assault and low retention rate. I also hope we can address issues that arise with the new policies and the adjustments made on campus due to COVID-19.
On-campus involvements: I am an orientation leader, I work in the student mailroom, and I am also part of the White and Crimson Leadership Society.

Nyasaina Kwamboka ’23
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Major: International business and environmental studies and sustainability
The job duties of your new ASMC position: The political communications chair maintains a positive public image for the student government through social media platforms, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. I officially respond to students’ comments and concerns through these platforms.
The top issues you expect ASMC to tackle: Raise awareness of the students’ voices being heard and acknowledged on our campus as well as mental health.
On-campus involvements: I’m on the cross country and track team, vice president of the Intercultural Club, the secretary of the Colorful Voices of Praise, and Fulton resident assistant.

Gabriela Madu ’23
Hometown: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Major: Computer science and theatre double major
The job duties of your new ASMC position: I am one of two student affairs representatives. Our main goals include reaching out and responding to the students on campus to ensure that they’re not only being heard but that they feel a sense of belonging and visibly see the changes implemented as a result of their concerns.
The top issues you expect ASMC to tackle: The two main issues I see myself tackling are ensuring the smoothest possible transition back to campus in the Fall of 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and hearing about and actively trying to obtain information about the experiences of the students from smaller represented groups on campus and asking about the changes they would like to see on campus.
On-campus involvements: I have a job on campus in the theatre department. I participate in theatre productions. I was president of International Club (2019-2020), and I am one of two vice presidents as well as the choir director for Colorful Voices of Praise. I also received the Emerging Leader Award this past spring. I am a member of the Chorale and Highland Harmonizers and I was in the Concert Band in 2019. At home, I volunteer with my father’s Rotary club as well as his other community organizations.

Shylah Solis ’22
Hometown: Chicago
Major: Accounting and business
The job duties of your new ASMC position: As treasurer, my job is to be financially in charge of the student senate budget and to make sure money issues run smoothly for the student body.
The top issues you expect ASMC to tackle: The student senate will be tackling the unfortunate consistency of COVID-19 by working on a relief fund, as well as providing a new safe space for the student body to be welcomed in times of need. I am very excited to be a part of ASMC this year and the change that we’re going to enact within the campus.
On-campus involvements: I have been a part of the Raíces e-board and Accounting Society since my freshman year. I was also an ASAP crew member for a brief period of time.