Shemica Villas, a first-generation immigrant from Western Samar, Philippines, is the vice president of the Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA) club at San Diego City College.
“I became interested in enrolling at City College because of the numerous programs available for students that could greatly help their skills, enrich their knowledge, and be outstanding members of the society,” said Villas, 20.
As the APISA vice president, she supports students just like her. Coming to a new country was scary for Villas, until she found community in the Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance.
“My college journey hasn't been easy. When I first came here, I felt isolated and alone, away from my family and friends in an unfamiliar country where I couldn’t even speak the language, nor feel welcome or safe,” Villas said. “Until one day, a good friend from my creative writing class introduced me to the APISA club where I met such wonderful people who welcomed me and who gave me a sense of purpose. I am forever grateful that I found the Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance, because of these experiences, I swear to myself that I will never ever make someone feel the things I did. I will strive to give others a place where they could belong.”
The City College Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance is a support group that focuses on the well-being of not just the Pacific Islander and Asian students — but to everyone. Students share their culture, food, and traditions. Villas encourages, “you don’t have to be Asian to be a part of our community— all are welcome to join our club. Please come in!”
Looking forward, Villas and the APISA club president, Queen Johnson, will host a potluck, where members can enjoy cultural dishes, play traditional games, and watch popular movies from their home countries. Other events include museums and planetarium field trips that support cultural learning, and volunteer opportunities such as beach-cleaning activities, cooking for the homeless, as well as visiting animal centers.
Villas is undecided about her major but is leaning toward declaring political science. “I’m a very opinionated and passionate person who loves to read and write political pieces that advocate against racism, Asian hate, homophobia, and other concepts that harm the community in an effort to make people aware of the injustice around us,” she said.
On campus, the Tutorial/Learning Center and the library are among her favorite places to study. “I can’t tell you how many times the Tutorial/Learning Center has helped me with my classes. They are the ones who helped me improve my English skills too.”
After City College, Villas’ goal is to transfer to a four-university. She says, “I’ll probably apply to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), because I heard great things about their creative writing program, and how they are the leading English department in the nation.”