KENTFIELD / NOVATO, CA— Ryan Vilefort Barbosa was sworn in by the College of Marin (COM) Board of Trustees during the regularly scheduled meeting on February 14, 2023. Barbosa will serve as the student trustee for the spring 2023 semester.
Barbosa is a COM political science student with a background in student leadership, having served as class president during his first year at Saint Mary's College of California before transferring to COM.
Actively involved in community service and advocacy, Barbosa had an internship with County of Marin Supervisor Katie Rice, serving as the lead intern for the Marin Crisis Textline. Through the internship, Barbosa and his team developed a grassroots campaign for county-wide implementation of the 24/7 text-based service, which provides mental health crisis support for Marin County residents.
Last summer, Barbosa interned with the Canal Alliance in San Rafael, California, serving on the policy and civic engagement team. During this internship, he contributed to the campaign strategy for the upcoming Immigrant Day Rally in 2023. Barbosa also participated in creating a leadership development training to provide the guiding steps for understanding how the local government works.
Barbosa’s future plans include obtaining his associate degree in political science and government at COM before transferring to another institution to earn a bachelor’s in political science with a focus on foreign affairs. He hopes to pursue a career in government.
As the elected student trustee and student representative, Barbosa is determined to work towards the betterment of COM. He hopes to be an active and engaged member of the Board of Trustees and to make a positive impact on the COM community as a whole.
“Being selected as a new student trustee is an honor and a privilege. It means that I have been given the opportunity to represent the interests and perspectives of the student body to the Board of Trustees,” said Barbosa. “This position comes with great responsibility and trust, and I take that seriously. I am excited to have a voice in decision-making processes that affect the College community and to advocate for the needs and concerns of my fellow students.”
The COM board of trustees consists of seven voting members who are chosen by-area on a nonpartisan basis in public elections. Each year, the COM student body elects a non-voting student member to represent the students’ voice at meetings.
As a student trustee, Barbosa will have the opportunity to share a student perspective on the issues and policies impacting the COM student community.
“I aim to advocate for my fellow students and work with the Board to improve campus safety, increase access to mental health resources, promote diversity and inclusion, and engage more students in decision making,” said Barbosa.