27 Mar Biology In Every Language: Brian Rubio’s Multilingual Symposium
- Brian Rubio shares his journey from being a student leader in high school to running for ASI’s student government.
- Rubio’s discusses his experience developing the first Multilingual Symposium help by the biology department for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
- Rubio shares how ASI helped him develop his skillset and prepared him for his future medical career.
As he looked through his options for university, Rubio intently searched for one that prioritized and platformed student voices. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
At Associated Students Inc. students are given the opportunity to run for student government and create their own projects and initiatives that spark change on campus.
Brian Rubio, a fifth-year student and biology major, is the Board of Directors (BOD) vice chair and representative for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) for the 2024-2025 school year. In his current and past roles in student government, his ambitious projects helped empower and amplify student voices. His most notable project: the first Multilingual Symposium for the biology department.
From High School Leadership to ASI
Rubio poses for a photo with his student government peers at the Giancarlo Esposito Beyond the Conversation. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications and Design
ASI is not Rubio’s first student government experience; his story begins in high school as he was involved in student body and wanted to carry that experience to university.
“Throughout high school I was heavily involved in our student body and when getting into college, I really didn’t think that was still an opportunity or possibility,” said Rubio.
As he looked through his options for university, Rubio intently searched for one that prioritized and platformed student voices. He found that Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) had an active student government that effectively tackled student concerns.
“They [CSUF] really highlight student voices and show that student government has an impact on campus,” said Rubio. “The reason why I joined student government was because I wanted to be a part of that impact and hoped to make changes in any areas that I could help in.”
Prior to joining student government, he worked as a resident advisor serving as a supportive resource for students living in dorms.
“Those skills that I’ve started building up on during my years as a resident advisor, I wanted to apply it to something bigger scale,” said Rubio.
With intentions to apply his skills to an impactful project, Rubio developed the first Multilingual Symposium with his co-director Arianna Neeki, for the College of NSM at CSUF.
Science for All: The Multilingual Biology Symposium
Brian Rubio with his family and friends at the 2025 ASI Installation Ceremony. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
In the Fall of 2024, Rubio and Neeki met with the college dean seeking to make improvements for the college. The College of NSM has designated research days, but they did not have one for the biology department. This led them to develop a symposium to highlight the biology research conducted by students, while incorporating an inclusive aspect.
“It started off for biology students and we thought [CSUF] being an HSI, Hispanic Serving Institution, we wanted to incorporate that in our college,” said Rubio.
This initiative received positive responses from students and faculty, especially toward the idea of celebrating diversity. Although the event was initially a bilingual symposium, students were interested in presenting in different languages, allowing for more cultures to be highlighted.
“We were able to change it to multilingual because we had students saying ‘I don’t necessarily speak Spanish but I do speak another language,’” said Rubio.
The symposium was then promoted as a Multilingual Symposium where students in biology could present their research in another language to their family and friends. Rubio’s initiative brought the community together, spotlighting students’ work and their cultural background.
Being a family-friendly event, the symposium gave students the opportunity to show their work to their loved ones, especially to their parents who may not receive much insight into what they are studying.
“My parents don’t know what I’m doing in college, they just know that I’m here,” said Rubio.“They don’t really understand what being a Biology major is, so this gives students who share the same experience that space to present to them and being able to showcase their hard work.”
This symposium brought students and their families together, all while highlighting the biology department.
Leading Today, Healing Tomorrow
To students who may be hesitating to join student government, Rubio advises students to take the opportunity even if they are not a government-related major. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
ASI’s student government impacted Rubio’s aspiration to become a physician in many ways. His experience helped him navigate academics and develop necessary skills that are transferable to his main career goal.
His role brought him opportunities to network and connect with the student success center, as well as the NSM Inter-Club Council.
“Working with your dean, you really get exposed to the different aspects of the college that many students may not be aware of,” said Rubio.
Additionally, he emphasizes that the advocacy and communication skills he developed are applicable to his future role as a physician as it requires a genuine desire to help people.
“The advocacy skills and initiative skills are still something that I’m going to be using, and communication which is very important, is what I’ll be using anywhere,” said Rubio.
No Experience Required: Advice for Future Student Leaders
New student government members stand during the 2024 ASI Leadership Installation Ceremony. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
To students who may be hesitating to join student government, Rubio advises students to take the opportunity even if they are not a government-related major.
“The biggest thing I would tell people is you don’t need to have prior experience to join ASI, you can join ASI at any capacity,” said Rubio. “We have many programs, different teams you can join and we’re there to help and support you and build on those leadership skills.”
Rubio’s journey in his role in student government resulted in new initiatives like the bilingual symposium, amplifying student voices and bridging the gap between bilingual students and their families.