Sophomore Ahmed Elfaki was seated as the new Student Trustee on the Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees at the December meeting. Elfaki will finish the term of outgoing Student Trustee Dakota Montavon.
“My fellow trustees and I are confident Ahmed can carry forward the dedicated work Dakota provided as a voice of the student body,” said Bob Johnson, Board Chairman.
Elfaki’s journey to Kish started after his family sought refuge from Sudan, where Elfaki was born and raised.
“My family and I moved to the United States to seek asylum in the summer of 2016 after conditions in Sudan became unsuitable for a good living,” he said. “We were interested in moving to the United States because there are a lot of opportunities for a better life.”
Elfaki graduated from Sycamore High School in 2019 and said he chose Kish for its affordability and strong foundational education. He is studying engineering science and noted an interest in taking advantage of Kish’s transfer program with Northern Illinois University upon graduating.
Elfaki is currently a member of the Black Student Union, Diversity Officer of the Student Government Association, and a member of the Diversity Committee. He previously was a member of the LatinX organization and played on the men’s soccer team.
“I hope to make the student’s life at Kish more engaging and unchallenging,” he said. “My number one goal is to increase student involvement at Kish and to be the accurate voice to the students and actively pursue their needs.”
The Illinois Community College Act provides that each Illinois Community College shall elect one student to the Board for a one-year term. Montavon, a DeKalb native, will graduate this December. He said he is proud he was able to serve as a representative for the students of Kish.
“I've learned that there are a lot of important matters that go into running a community college, but it's incredibly important not to lose sight of the student's experience and how to improve it,” Montavon said.
One initiative Montavon said he would like to see continued was the work with the College’s food pantry, Kody’s Cupboard, and sees room for growth to better help meet student needs.
During his time at Kish, Montavon was involved with the English Honor Society Club, Phi Theta Kappa, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and the Performing Arts Club on campus. He also served as a peer mentor for TRIO student support services.
For more information on Kishwaukee College, visit kish.edu.
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Photo Caption: Dakota Montavon served as the Kishwaukee College Student Trustee until graduating this fall. His term will be completed by new Student Trustee Ahmed Elfaki.