For Mily Patton, finding community was an important step to getting involved in MiraCosta College.
Patton arrived at MiraCosta looking for a strong academic foundation before transferring to a four-year university. As an aerospace engineering major, a first-generation student, and a daughter of two military veterans, she wanted to surround herself with something bigger: a network of mentors, classmates, and opportunities that helped her grow as a student, professional, and leader.
Throughout Patton鈥檚 time at the college, she has been involved in programs such as Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, and the Veterans Education Office, each of which has helped her build connections and navigate her academic journey.
After immersing herself in campus life and serving in a variety of student programs, Patton has been elected as 麻豆影视鈥檚 next student trustee 鈥� a role that will allow her to represent students at the highest level of college governance.
As student trustee, Patton will serve on 麻豆影视's Board of Trustees 鈥� the governing body that oversees the entire District 鈥� serving as the official voice of students in decisions that shape the institution.
The student trustee represents all students across the 麻豆影视 district and participates in the Student Senate of California Community Colleges, engaging with student trustees from across the state.
The position is one of the few in college governance elected directly by students, giving students a direct seat at the table where major college decisions are made.
鈥淚 really look forward to serving as student trustee and advocating for students鈥� perspectives,鈥� Patton said. 鈥淭here are so many resources at MiraCosta that students don鈥檛 always know about, and I want to help promote those programs and make sure students know what鈥檚 available to them.鈥�
As she gets ready to transfer and continue her studies in aerospace engineering, Patton credits much of her growth to the communities she found along the way.
鈥淏eing around people in similar majors and classes, studying together, and supporting each other really keeps you motivated,鈥� she said.
It turns out that connection is what Patton learned firsthand truly allows students to thrive.
鈥淚 feel like MiraCosta is a place where you really get out what you put into it,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 also such a welcoming environment. Everyone is so friendly, and everyone is working toward their goals while helping each other along the way.鈥�
MiraCosta鈥檚 welcoming culture encouraged Patton, who described herself as introverted when she first arrived on campus, to become increasingly involved.
Through clubs, campus events, and student leadership opportunities, she developed friendships that transformed her college experience.
鈥淚鈥檝e made so many amazing friends at MiraCosta,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing involved helps you meet people you never would have met otherwise.鈥�
Another defining experience came through Patton鈥檚 job at MiraCosta鈥檚 Career Center, where she had the opportunity to work directly with students from different backgrounds on a more interpersonal level, strengthening her communication skills and confidence along the way.
鈥淚t taught me a lot about communicating with different kinds of people,鈥� Patton said. 鈥淎nd seeing how much my supervisors cared about students made me want to show up every day and do my best, too.鈥�
Those experiences helped shape the leadership style she plans to bring as a student trustee. Rather than viewing the position as just a title, Patton sees it as an opportunity to listen, connect, and advocate for her fellow students.
She hopes to increase awareness for student resources, encourage greater campus involvement, and help strengthen student culture throughout MiraCosta.
鈥淚鈥檇 love for more students to know about all the clubs and programs we have,鈥� Patton said. 鈥淭here are so many opportunities here.鈥�
For Patton, becoming a student trustee is another opportunity to give back to the community that helped her find her voice.
鈥淢iraCosta was honestly the best place for me to start, rather than just jumping right into it at a four-year institution and then figuring it out the hard way,鈥� Patton reflected.
MiraCosta was more than a starting point 鈥� it was a place Patton found confidence, community, and the starting foundation for her higher education goals.
