Political science major Hailey Hua who is of Chinese descent is hopeful to be a well-rounded representative for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community. She always had a clear goal to enroll at San Diego Miramar College to transfer within the University of California (UC) system to later go to law school.
Hua took an interest in government while in high school. A graduate of Canyon Crest Academy, she dabbled in politics, government, and journalism. “Although it was really rigorous, I enjoyed it. I learned a lot more beyond just the Constitution of the United States,” she said.
The experience inspired Hua, 19, to get involved with her local community to help minority populations like her and to join the Associated Student Government (ASG) of her then future college.
Although well qualified for admission into top universities Hua’s first-choice was Miramar College, which she began in fall 2023. “Going to a community college allows you to explore yourself at an affordable cost and to gain different opportunities than a four-year university. You can get to know your professors and your student government more personally.”
Miramar College continued to impress Hua. “They have a lot of resources for immigrants such as EOPS which benefits first-generation students,” she said. “There is so much to take advantage of within the community college system. I knew I wanted to be a part of their student government before I even started college.”
During her first semester Hua first joined the college’s AS as Senator and was elected President for the 2024-2025 academic year as well as serves as the college’s student representative on the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees.
“Every member of AS, no matter their role, has been welcoming. My peers are so ready to take action and that inspires me.” As a result, Hua and her team have seen critical changes take place across institutions working directly with Region X, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and Region 10, a statewide effort to strengthen California’s early learning and care system to support young children and their families.
“I am still wrapping my head around the fact that our elected officials and people in power actually want to listen to students and what our needs are,” said Hua, who as a student trustee will participate in state and federal lobbying in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. “Every district and college should have advocacy opportunities.”
While serving as student body president, Hua is fulfilling her biggest dream of becoming an attorney. She interned for Congresswoman Sara Jacobs and Councilmember Marni von Wilpert. She advises her fellow classmates, “maximize your college experience, get involved, don’t just hope it will go by because it will go by fast and there are a lot of opportunities.”
Hua is set to graduate in spring 2025 with plans to transfer to University of California, Los Angeles to study political science and thereafter pursue a Juris Doctor degree.
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