Campus Spotlight_______________________________
The Election Queen
Associated Students election commissioner Deborah Napoleon will leave Fresno State with a legacy of endless campus contributions
By MOLLY FAGUNDES / Special to The Collegian
Already an accomplished student, Deborah Napoleon is taking on the role of election commissioner in this semester’s Associated Students election. Photo by Joseph Hollak |
Many students take advantage of what Fresno State has to offer. They excel in the classroom and join clubs, making a big difference in student life.
Deborah Napoleon is one of those students.
For the past four years, she has immersed herself in every aspect of campus life in hopes of leaving her mark at Fresno State.
This spring, however, Napoleon has taken on a new challenge.
She is serving as the election commissioner and is responsible, along with a group of three students, to get the students at Fresno State to vote.
“I’m really looking forward to doing new and creative things to get the student body to vote,” Napoleon said.
It is obvious that the student body needs her help. Last year, less than 10 percent of students participated in the Associated Students election. Napoleon continues to showcase her talent and service to the student body.
“She is very organized and really cares about the students,” said Michelle Melikian, a member of the election commission.
Napoleon will receive her master’s degree in social work this spring upon returning to school after being a registered nurse for 19 years. But the road to this accomplishment has not been easy.
Napoleon has worked her entire life to ensure the voices of women are heard. Napoleon grew up in a family of six, learning early on the values of hard work, commitment and determination.
“I’ve always been a hard worker and have strived for my personal best,” Napoleon said. “I’ve always wanted to make things better, not just now, but for the future.”
Her involvement in the Women’s Resource Center has allowed her to fight for women’s rights by participating in many events such as The Vagina Monologues, which is part of the Take Back the Night program, a yearly event put on by the Women’s Alliance to promote awareness about domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of violence against women.
Napoleon has been involved in a wide variety of campus activities and has represented Fresno State on local, state, national and international levels. She has participated in an assortment of clubs, lobbied in Sacramento voicing concerns over budget cuts and the funding of higher education, traveled to many conferences throughout the United States and represented Fresno State in Egypt and South Africa, where she administered services to children and adults living in poverty.
Napoleon continues to give all of herself not only to Fresno State, but also to the community. Her work with The Way Ministries has allowed her to find her true passion — helping others. Through this program, she has provided cultural education and taught self-esteem classes to young African-Americans in a Saturday-school program that helps disadvantaged children with important choices.
Francine Oputa, director of the Multicultural Heritage Institute, has worked with Napoleon for more than four years.
“Deborah is a diligent worker and is extremely giving,” Oputa said. “She gives from the heart and her commitment to the campus has carried out in the community. We’re extremely proud to have her involved in our programs.”
Editor’s note: Campus Spotlight is aimed to showcase individuals on campus who are making a difference. If you know anyone who qualifies, please send a brief description (no more than 75 words) of the person to features editor Chhun Sun at [email protected].
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