Newly Elected SGA President Knows Being Vulnerable Allows for Better Connection
“When you think about it, the first day of school is the first day of school for all students, whether you are five or fifty,” said Isabel Torres, a second-year student majoring in business administration and Queensborough’s newly elected President of the Student Government Association (SGA). “It is about taking that brave first step to meet new people and make long-lasting connections. It is so important to know that you are not alone.”
Isabel herself has taken that brave first step at several stages in her life, most recently when she officially became a Student Government Association (SGA) Board Member in July. Leadership training sessions allowed her to meet with other student leaders across the CUNY campuses.
“I felt empowered by the excellent advice I was given about what issues to focus on. I learned from speakers about emotional intelligence, active listening skills, and thoughtful communication. Vulnerability was a word that came up a lot. I learned that being vulnerable allows for better connections. At the end of the day, we are a team.”
Isabel shared great news on that front. She was named co-captain of the Women’s Volleyball team before the season started in the first week of August. “We won the first home game season opener on September 3 against LaGuardia, 3-1. I was thrilled to see so many spectators who came to support the team. Last season we won the fall season CUNY championship and scored third in region 15. This year the goal is to go to nationals and win the CUNY championship again!”
Up next is a home game on September 17 versus Hostos Community College at 7:00pm.
“A lot of the team members are new to QCC and new to the QCC volleyball team. Because our practice schedule is intense—every weekday for two hours in the afternoon—we take time to come together and share how we are feeling. We call it, Our Little Talks.”
Isabel decided to exercise vulnerability with her Board at the first SGA meeting of the academic year. “It took away my nervousness. I felt confident to ask for patience as I navigate my new role, much like introducing myself in my new role as co-captain of the volleyball team.”
Isabel, a resident of Ozone Park, is accustomed to the diversity of Queens but was still amazed by her Board’s diversity. We represent different countries and are a mix of first-generation Americans as well as first generation students like me.”
Everyone has a story about their decision to go to college. For Isabel, it started three years ago in her senior year of high school. Jason Demas, coach of the women’s volleyball team, came to watch her team’s playoff game. Afterwards he asked her if she had plans to continue her education. At the time, her goal was to learn a construction trade, and she completed a certificate program to begin a career as a plumber’s apprentice for the plumber’s union local one. It was not long before she decided being a plumber was not her life’s calling and that college could be a good place to start for a better future. But volunteerism was always her calling. She partnered with Habitat for Humanity, Tools & Tiaras, an organization that promotes the idea that “jobs do not have genders,” and coached at the Long Island Knights Volleyball Club.
In the summer of 2023, Coach Demas helped Isabel apply to Queensborough and she started practicing with the team in August before beginning her studies in the fall of 2023.
“Queensborough means so much to me. The resources on campus are too many to name. Tutoring center, academic computing center when I need a quiet place to work, the library for late hours, and the food pantry when needed. Now I am participating in Macaulay Honors College’s Friedman Transfer Scholars Program, which is helping me prepare to transfer there next fall.”
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