NEWS
Contact: Jennifer N. Kearns
jennifer.kearns@gcccd.edu
Celebrating a Year of Student Trustee Leadership and Impact
Honoring the dedication, advocacy, and achievements of the District’s 2025–2026 Student Trustees
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District 2025–2026 Student Trustees, Lu Tri “Vi” Huynh, Grossmont College, and Marcelia Villaseñor, Cuyamaca College.
May 21, 2026
El Cajon, CA — As the academic year draws to a close, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (the District) is recognizing the impactful advocacy of its 2025–2026 Student Trustees, Lu Tri “Vi” Huynh, Grossmont College, and Marcelia Villaseñor, Cuyamaca College. Serving from July 2025 through May 2026, both student trustees demonstrated a strong commitment to representing student voices at their respective colleges, but also at the regional and statewide levels, while advocating for initiatives that support access, inclusion, and student achievement. Both student trustees also made significant contributions towards advancing student advocacy, equity, and academic success across the District during the academic year.
At Grossmont College, Student Trustee Vi Huynh concurrently served as President of the Associated Students of Grossmont College (ASGC), using his dual role to strengthen collaboration and expand opportunities for student persistence and success. He focused heavily on improving students' basic needs, including advocating for the expansion of the Basic Needs Center and the relocation of Gizmo’s Kitchen. The demand for these services was evident: on the first day in the new location, Gizmo’s Kitchen served more than 275 students.
Vi also worked to increase student involvement by doubling club grant funding and supported the launch of Grossmont College’s first Applied Artificial Intelligence program. His advocacy extended to both state and national levels, through participation in legislative and student leadership conferences, where he emphasized policies that improve student access to transfer-level coursework, especially in math and student resources.
At Cuyamaca College, Student Trustee Marcelia Villaseñor focused on advancing equity, representation, and inclusive policy development. Her leadership played a key role in the advancement of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Inclusion Act, which achieved key milestones during the academic year and was ultimately passed at the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) 2026 General Assembly.
As an East County native, Marcelia also advocated for local community needs, including expanded English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and regional curriculum initiatives to broaden access to education in East County as part of the District’s Pathways for Adults to Career Training (PACT). Through active engagement with peers, campus leaders, and statewide organizations, she helped elevate student perspectives and strengthen connections across the college community.
Both student trustees emphasized the importance of collaboration, communication, and service in fostering student success. Their experiences provided valuable insight into governance and advocacy, preparing them for continued academic and professional achievement.
Student Trustees Villaseñor and Huynh attended the 2026 Community College League of
California (CCLC) Annual Legislative Conference in Sacramento in January to advocate
for students, the colleges, and the District.
Both student trustees will be participating in their college commencement ceremonies in early June. After graduation, Vi is transferring to San José State University (SJSU) to study computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence. Marcelia will pursue a physics degree at the University of California, San Diego, after participating in a National Science Foundation (NSF) summer internship at the Universidad de Guanajuato, Mexico.
Together, their leadership reflects the District’s commitment to empowering student voices and preparing the next generation of leaders who will continue to shape higher education and their communities.
About the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (the District)
The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District includes Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, which offer hundreds of degree and certificate programs, including Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Advanced/Basic Certificates. The District is the largest provider of higher education and job training in East County, and is a top transfer pathway to San Diego State University. The colleges lead the way in developing educational programs, classes, and services that meet the needs of the community of learners, and prepare students to meet changing community and workforce needs, while advancing social justice and economic mobility. Learn more at www.gcccd.edu.
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