Gavin Ong

Gavin Ong
Seeking Candidacy for: ASI President
Running Mate: Mariana Juarez Gomez

Biography:

G’day CSUF!
I am Gavin Ong, a transfer student and a senior double majoring in Cinema and Television Arts and Business Administration in Marketing. I am also an international student from the land down under, Australia!

I am working to graduate with two bachelor’s degrees to focus on film and TV production and editing, to get into the Directors Guild of America program, and become an accomplished Assistant Director. An interesting thing about me is that I can speak five languages, and I’m currently learning a sixth! Learning languages is a big hobby, and I love connecting with different people.

This led me to become quite active at CSUF. I became a Tambo Ambassador – one of the first faces of incoming students – giving them tours and helping them with all their questions and concerns during orientation. I also work at Titan TV – CSUF’s award-winning TV station – where I’ve helped provide and create programming and opportunities for all our students to gain valuable experience that will lead to their professional careers.

I have fallen in love with CSUF and have been actively promoting all the vast and essential resources, opportunities, and campus events. I’ve even been featured on the Amazon Prime TV show ‘Campus Tours’ to help promote how wonderful CSUF is!

I am committed to helping support our students. Being a first-generation student from a single-parent immigrant household, I strive to show all those like me that there is so much we can achieve. I want to use this opportunity and platform to elevate our school and community to the highest possible level.

Statement/Platform:

Accessibility, Acceptance, and Awareness

We recognize the necessity of accessibility and equity here on our campus. We want to advocate and fight for our students’ ability to gain access to rooms, support services, and all resources. Expand and improve on the support our diverse student body needs – our underprivileged and marginalized students, our cultural communities – LatinX, DACA, international, EOP, Asian-American Pacific Islanders, Black students, LGBTQIA+, immigrant families, and our student parents, veterans and much more. We aim to ensure and enhance our support to all these communities through collaborative efforts to promote resources, expand on scholarships, and improve event opportunities. Furthermore, we aim to combat inaccessibility for our Disability Support Service students, making sure entrances, buildings, and classrooms are equitable and accessible to them all. By utilizing ASI resources, our goal is to ultimately create a safe and welcoming environment at CSUF for all our students and to be respectful of all communities and parties.

Community Engagement and Involvement

As students, we must foster community engagement and involvement across campus by continuing to enhance student life. We aim to increase support for our home games and overall athletic programs, making them central to the CSUF experience. We plan to improve the Inter-Club Councils by increasing funding and support, such as streamlining reimbursement processes and communication between ICC and ASI, ensuring that programming and activities are efficient and impactful. We aim to expand campus events and promote a vibrant campus life beyond the typical commuter school perception. We want students to know that there are many opportunities to get involved. By enhancing awareness of ASI’s offerings, such as programming and governmental opportunities, we aim to increase students’ understanding of how ASI can provide valuable resources and experiences. Our goal is to create a campus environment where all students feel included, supported, and empowered to take full advantage of everything ASI offers.

Student Professional Success

We aim to create a more supportive and accessible student environment by improving internship opportunities within ASI and campus organizations. We plan to expand and diversify professional networking events, such as expos, conferences, and case competitions, to help students build their career paths. One of the biggest challenges students face is knowing what opportunities are available, how to navigate graduation, and where to find valuable resources. To address this, we aim to increase awareness of mentorship programs and scholarship opportunities, ensuring students know the support they can access. We also recognize the need to centralize all available opportunities in one accessible spot, making it easier for students to navigate their application process. In addition to internships and scholarships, we want to push for more awareness of part-time job opportunities, including positions like student assistants, Instructional Student Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, and lab research roles, as they are essential in building professional experience. By improving communication and connections between students and the resources on campus, we hope to create a stronger foundation for their academic and career success. Ensure that all Titans use and have access to everything they need to build their professional futures upon graduation.

Campus & Student Safety

As a public university, CSUF is committed to prioritizing and enhancing campus safety in every way possible. We are dedicated to improving transportation, parking safety, and overall well-being for our community. We aim to improve parking safety by eliminating blind spots and reinforcing safety regulations. Additionally, we plan to advocate for more community officers—non-armed patrols—during night hours to ensure students feel secure on campus at all times. We also recognize the importance of well-lit areas and will push for better lighting to enhance visibility and safety.

Regarding housing, we are committed to improving community safety by fostering a secure and supportive living environment. Furthermore, we will raise awareness of escort services and work to enhance their accessibility and effectiveness for students. Ensuring that all campus communities are heard, with a dedicated effort to address concerns and implement changes that prioritize the safety and well- being of everyone. Striving to create a campus where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Campaign Slogan/Tagline:

From Down Under to Titan: Connecting Cultures, Creating Futures.