Student Government

Ric Hogerheide-President

I am a non-traditional student pursuing a Business degree at OCC, returning to school after facing challenges in the job market. I graduated from Grand Blanc Community High School in 2009 as Senior Class President and have over a decade of experience in radio and television, along with certification as a project manager in software development.

I am running for Student Government President to serve students from all backgrounds and advocate for their needs. Collaboration with the student body and organizations like Phi Theta Kappa and the Veterans Club is essential, ensuring that every student feels supported.

Understanding the challenges non-traditional students face—balancing school, work, and family—is a priority. With increasing applications from returning students in 2025, it’s vital that their voices are heard and concerns are brought to OCC leadership for action.

As your Student Government President, I will focus on listening, advocating, and delivering results for all students at OCC. I would be honored to have your vote!! 

Rahma Jaara-President

I am a second-year student, and I’ve engaged with our diverse community, committing to advocating for inclusivity and ensuring that every student’s voice is heard.

I volunteer at Corewell Health and have tutored students for two years, which has strengthened my leadership skills. My experiences as a research lab assistant, proofreader for Dome, and being on the Dean’s List reflect my dedication to excellence. I’m also fluent in Arabic and participate actively in the Peer Mentor Program.

If elected, I will prioritize:

• Amplifying Student Voices: I will use surveys and discussions to ensure every student feels heard.
• Expanding Mental Health Support: Initiatives like movie nights and art therapy will promote overall well-being.
• Academic Support: Themed spirit weeks will enhance school spirit and offer extra credit opportunities.
• Community Engagement: Organizing events and volunteer opportunities will strengthen our ties to both OCC and Oakland County.

Together, we can create a more inclusive and vibrant college community!

Donna Lopatin - Vice President

I am excited to run for the position of Vice President of Student Government at Oakland Community College. I am passionate about making our college a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. I understand that not everyone can attend meetings in Auburn Hills, and I want to create opportunities for participation that are accessible to everyone, regardless of location. 

I believe in hosting more events at various OCC locations, incorporating virtual meetings, and engaging in creative activities like online karaoke that can be repeated across campuses. It’s essential to me that location never becomes a barrier to student involvement.

During high school, I was an active member of the Key Club, where I learned the value of community service through volunteer work. I also contributed to my school’s film crew, creating morning video announcements for students. Currently, I am a member of NSLS and plan to join Phi Theta Kappa soon. I have been nominated as the president of the forensics club at OCC, which will be starting up again in the fall. 

Since there’s no pre-med club at OCC, I’m exploring the possibility of starting my own, as my goal is to become a doctor in the future. My strong communication skills and sense of responsibility drive my desire to make a positive impact on our student community. 

I am committed to planning creative events and seeking input on how we can enhance the student government experience for everyone at OCC. Your vote will help bring this vision to life. Thank you for your support! 

Lillian Harris-Public Relations Coordinator

My name is Lillian Harris, and I’m a senior at Royal Oak High School in the Accelerated College Experience (ACE) program at OCC. I’m involved in the National Honor Society, serve as Vice President of the HOSA club, and play varsity volleyball and lacrosse.

In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities, shopping, spending time with friends, and pursuing my academic interests. My goal is to get a head start at OCC and enroll in a nursing program. I believe my leadership and time management skills would be valuable as your Public Relations Coordinator.

In this role, I will work to ensure student-led events are successful and help all students feel welcome at OCC. I aim to utilize my creativity to design eye-catching flyers and posts that enhance student government visibility and involvement. Thank you for your support!

Charles (CJ) Schneider-Treasurer 

I began at OCC during the Winter of 2024 semester with the intent of obtaining an associate degree in social work. Upon graduating from OCC, my plan is to transfer to Oakland University and work toward a master's degree so that I can someday become a counselor or therapist. I strongly believe in the importance of human compassion and the necessity of helping professionals to aid in the healing process of those with mental health issues or other needs to be addressed by the greater field of social work. In my time at OCC, I have grown a lot as a person and I believe that I am ready for new challenges. I have been attending student government meetings regularly since September 2024. I have found these meetings to be a positive heartwarming environment thanks to the incredible team of current officers, and I am impressed with their hard work to make OCC the joyous inviting place that it is. In light of this, I have been inspired to join the team and to help continue this legacy moving forward. My interest in running for this position is based on my desire to be a stronger contributing member of the organization and to be an ally to all students at the college. I am also eager to learn new leadership skills and enhance my ability to coordinate group projects with the other officers.  

The reason I selected the treasurer position is my years of management experience at Forster's Auto Wash in Waterford. I was trusted to oversee the entire business and to account for all earnings accumulated during the day. This valuable experience may prove useful in the position of treasurer. Furthermore, it seems logical to run for this position since I have been elected as the treasurer/student government representative for Phi Theta Kappa. In order to effectively execute my role as the student government representative for Phi Theta Kappa, I will need to stay well-informed on the pertinent matters of interest being discussed among the student government officers. I also have an impressive record so far at OCC: in little more than a year, I have earned 31 credits and maintained a 4.0 GPA. I am very proud of this accomplishment and believe it is worth taking into consideration when weighing my qualifications. If elected, I look forward to serving the students of OCC and fulfilling my role to the utmost extent of my abilities. 

Laisa Magucha-Mensah-Treasurer

I love OCC and so many of the students and faculty who proudly wear green and white. I returned to school 10 years after my first attempt at college, and I have never felt such a sense of belonging as I have at OCC. Here, I have met incredible faculty members from Student Engagement, Career Services, the Academic Student Center, the Accounting Department, and Student Admissions. Each of them has been instrumental in my decision-making and both personal and professional development, as well as the opportunities I've explored. I have felt so supported throughout my time here, and I am committed to amplifying this support for the growth of students on campus with the backing of the Student Government and its resources. 

 I have many ideas to bridge the Student Government, the Board of Trustees, and the Chancellor’s office to provide even more support to the student body, aiming to foster a greater impact on our campus life across all four remaining campuses. I look forward to the opportunity to share these ideas with the Election Committee soon. Thank you for considering my candidacy!

Fatou Touray-Treasurer

I am an international student from The Gambia, currently pursuing my nursing studies. Throughout my academic journey, I have actively participated in leadership roles, extracurricular activities, and student organizations. I am proud to be a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of Students, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the OCC Nursing Student Association, where I've gained valuable experience in teamwork, organization, and financial planning.

I previously served as the Treasurer of my junior school’s Agricultural Club, where I managed funds, kept financial records, and ensured transparency in budgeting. This experience allowed me to develop strong financial management skills, attention to detail, and a sense of accountability. Balancing academics, work, and leadership commitments has taught me the importance of responsible financial oversight. If elected, I will focus on accurate budgeting, proper allocation of funds, and maintaining financial transparency for our organization. My goal is to contribute to our club's success by ensuring financial stability and supporting initiatives that benefit all members.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve as a Treasurer and work collaboratively to enhance our organization’s impact. Thank you for your consideration!! 

Frederick Mason-Liaison  

As a second-year horticulture major at OCC and a proud alumnus of Midnight Golf, I bring a diverse set of experiences to this role. My hobbies include gardening and fossil hunting, and I've recently taken up running.

I chose to run for this position because of my active involvement in various student organizations, including Phi Theta Kappa, the International Student Club, and the Black Student Union. I believe that my experience in promoting events alongside the SGA has well-prepared me for this role. I aim to serve as a bridge between the Student Government and these organizations.

I am committed to becoming a better communicator with all student groups. I believe that every student’s voice contributes to our collective success and makes our events possible. I know this role will come with challenges, but with your support, I am confident that together we will succeed and thrive. Thank you for your consideration!

Mauricio Garcia Perez-Liaison

Growing up in Troy, Michigan, one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, I have developed the skills to effectively engage with people across various religious, social, and political backgrounds. This experience has cultivated my ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

After arriving in Michigan nearly ten years ago, I faced challenges related to language barriers. With the help of supportive friends, instructors, and classmates, I not only overcame these obstacles but also became a voice of support for others as an ESLP translator and student government member at Troy High School from 2017 to 2021.

As an extrovert who excels at bringing people together. I actively participate in group bonding activities, such as Ice Breakers, and am committed to resolving conflicts. I have a leadership role in the CORE Teen youth ministry at my church, which has further honed [his/her/their] mediation skills and ability to plan successful events.

I am passionately invested in the community and the spirit of OCC. I aim to utilize my experience and skills as a Liaison Officer to promote collaboration and unity among students and community members.

With a strong commitment to service and community engagement, I believe I would be an excellent addition to the team. Please consider me for the role of Liaison Officer. Thank you!

Jackson Jankowski-Events Coordinator

I am a high school junior, and I have a long history of leadership roles in the many activities I have been involved in, such as marching band and robotics. This is my second semester at OCC. I want to be a student government officer because I am a natural leader, and love getting involved. As an officer, I will do whatever I can to help student government, and brainstorm ways to help boost student involvement.