Business student Haydee Zuniga has been elected as Associated Student Body (ASB) President at the San Diego College of Continuing Education for the 2024-2025 academic year and serves as the college’s student representative on the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees. Zuniga, whose tenure began June 20, is only the third trustee to hold the position in the college’s 110-year history.

While the district has long appointed student trustees from City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, a fourth representing student member was added by the SDCCD Board of Trustees in 2021 to provide a voice for noncredit students. A benefit for the College of Continuing Education, which is home to nearly 30,000 students, more than half of the population identifies as immigrant-based.

“When I found out about being the ASB president and a district student trustee, I felt nervous but very excited,” said Zuniga, 38. “One important intention for me is that we hear our students' needs because they have great ideas and I think it is really helpful for our community to listen.”

Zuniga moved from Tijuana to San Diego in 2004. Up until she found the College of Continuing Education in the summer of 2022, she never had the opportunity to pursue postsecondary education. “When I came to the U.S. my English language skills were low. It took me 20 years to go to college. I didn’t know that a career technical college like this exists,” she said. 

Zuniga completed a business information worker certificate in spring 2024 and is studying advanced ESL at no cost to her. Now she is working toward a second business and accounting certificate and has a goal of earning a bachelor's degree to work in administration management. 

As ASB president and trustee, she is on a mission to empower students like her. “When I help someone else to discover opportunities to go to school it feels good to know that they will have the same chance as me to grow their career.”