The Associated Student Government named former President Josh Villanueva the student advisor at its first meeting of the semester Friday.

The position was created by Villanueva who said the idea came to him last year when he struggled to find a way to be involved in student government while also giving others a chance to lead.

“I’m not president this year for a reason… I wanted to be able to support every position,” he said.

Villanueva’s responsibilities will include running events like club mixers and movie showings, marketing, and advising members of the senate.

“It would be valuable to have a student balance out the advisory board,” Villanueva said as he pitched the position to the senate. 

After being voted in unanimously, Villanueva expressed his confidence in his successor Alexandra Montes De Oca.

“I have no doubt that Alexandra will take the senate in the right direction,” Villanueva said. “I have seen that she has a great drive and passion for a multitude of things.”  

Montes De Oca said she has been waiting for an opportunity to make a difference at City College. 

“I’m excited to foster the community,” she said.

Montes De Oca said one of her goals this year is to combat food and housing insecurity. 

In taking steps to meet these goals Montes De Oca said she has been in contact with Free SB, an organization that aims to “use tax revenue from legal cannabis cultivation in Santa Barbara to fund college affordability programs,” according to its mission statement.

Villanueva and Montes De Oca said they would like to bring in more students to help reach the goals they have set out for the semester. 

“My only hope for the senate now is that the student body comes out to support [Montes De Oca] and join the ASG board,” Villanueva said. 

Students interested in joining the Associated Student Government can visit the Campus Center Room 223 for more information.