NOTE: Kathleen Duong's term as student trustee was from 2016-2017.

The alarm clock on her phone buzzes, waking her up from a sound sleep. Even though it’s tempting to hit the snooze button, Kathleen Duong is ready to face the day at Joliet Junior College. Kathleen is your typical student – she enjoys hanging out with her friends, listening to her music on full-blast, and dreaming about her future career in the medical field.

But unlike many of her peers, Kathleen wakes up each day with a specific goal in mind: to make life on campus a better place. That’s why she applied to be JJC’s student trustee (a voting member of the college’s Board of Trustees). Kathleen is passionate about her role on campus because she wants to make a difference and help students who want their voices heard. 

But what is Kathleen's life really like? We've put together the top 10 things you'll most likely find her doing from day to day.

1. Listening to JJC student concerns
Kathleen's job as student trustee is simple - to be there for students, and inform them about any outcomes from the Board of Trustee meetings. Whether it's talking to a student who has stopped her in the hallway, or taking notes during meetings, she's always listening intently. She takes pride in being her peers' voice. 

2. Studying for her dream career of being a doctor
In addition to being student trustee and participating in other extracurricular activities, Kathleen can often be found studying in the library. She hopes to become a doctor one day because she has a passion for teaching others how to live healthier lives.

3. Attending JJC Board of Trustee meetings 
Every month, Kathleen attends Board of Trustees meetings to voice the concerns of her fellow students. In addition, she also serves on the Policy and Legislative Committee, the Outreach Committee, the State and Local Issues Committee (affiliated with the Illinois Community College Board, Student Advisory Council).
 

4. Explaining what student life is all about to board members
As the only student member of the Board, Kathleen regularly informs members about what's going on around campus, giving them a student perspective. She tells them about student activities, events, clubs, fundraisers and more.
 

5. In her spare time, she enjoys working out and listening to music. 
Kathleen enjoys being physically active, and some of her favorite music genres include hip hop, alternative, folk, R&B and country. Her favorite artists are Drake, Vance Joy, the Lumineers and Carrie Underwood.

6. Playing Top Golf on the weekends
Top Golf is a recent hobby for Kathleen - but she admits she's definitely obsessed with it! Ever since her best friend took her for the first time last summer, she looks forward to spending time playing Top Golf on her free weekends.

7. Attending Student Government meetings
Each week, Kathleen attends Student Government meetings as an active member with an important purpose: to inform the group about what happened at the Board of Trustees meetings. She plays the role of communicator between the student body and the Board of Trustees. 

8. Attending big events on campus
Kathleen is extremely active on campus - from taking part in Welcome Week activities to Mainstreet, OMSA leadership seminars and more. Kathleen also loves to meet new people - so she encourages others to stop by and introduce themselves if they see her at any student event.
 

9. Attending conferences in Springfield to represent community college students
Another responsibility of being JJC's student trustee is attending conferences in Springfield to represent community college students across the state. At these conferences, she speaks with other motivated student leaders, discussing funding for colleges, textbook prices, MAP grants and more.

10. During winter and spring break, you might run into Kathleen working at her mom's business, Luxury Nails and Spa
From manicures to pedicures, Kathleen knows how to do it all, thanks to learning the ins and outs of the business from her mom. She first picked up a nail polish bottle in the fourth grade and by freshman year of high school, she became an expert in the nail department.