Graphic by Logan McQuaid, Graphic Design Intern

By Jonah Marshall, Staff Writer

On March 25 in U111 Dean of Students and Compliance Officer Kent Marshall moderated a candidate forum for the four candidates campaigning to be the Student Trustee of Moraine for the 2026-27 term. They answered a series of questions from Marshall and audience members. The Glacier is providing a summary of their responses below to help students decide who they want to vote for in next week’s Student Trustee elections.

What does the Student Trustee do?

The Student Trustee of Moraine is the voice for the entire 12,000+ Moraine student body. The Student Trustee reports to the Moraine Board of Trustees to voice concerns, needs, and wanted changes of Moraine students. The Student Trustee has certain duties as well: Write an article for The Glacier once a month on what they are doing and what they are focusing on, hold office hours to hear students concerns, and attend all Board meetings which are held monthly with the exception of January.

When is voting and how do I vote?

Voting is open to all Moraine Valley students regardless of full-time, part-time, or online status. Voting will be done online, and Moraine students will receive an email to cast their vote on Monday morning on March 30 and have until Thursday, April 2 at 3 p.m. to vote for a single candidate once. The link be disabled after 3 p.m. on Thursday. The candidates are listed below with their responses.

Who are the candidates?

How would you represent every student including those from different backgrounds?

• Esmeralda Delgado-Mendoza

Delgado Mendoza’s stated she would like to be able to share varied cultures and beliefs through campus events and experiences that can help her represent everyone.

• Mia Poland

Poland touched on how diversity is a beautiful thing and that the best way to represent students is through connecting with them through in-person events on campus.

• Michelle Segovia

Segovia feels students have more in common than they may realize, and that all should be and feel included.

• Dalayna Stevenson

Stevenson touched on how her experience growing up in Chicago taught her the importance of diversity, and that she has been exposed to a wide variety of cultures.

How will you manage both school and the responsibilities of being Student Trustee?

• Esmeralda Delgado-Mendoza

Mendoza touched on her experience as an older sibling and how that has taught her to manage her time.

• Mia Poland

Poland mentioned her ability to multi-task and the importance of scheduling.

• Michelle Segovia

Segovia mentioned how she is good at multi-tasking and how she has already worked on balancing time campaigning.

• Dalayna Stevenson

Stevenson mentioned how being a mother and a paramedic working 24 hour shifts has taught her how to manage her time properly.

Why do you feel you would make a good Student Trustee?

• Esmeralda Delgado-Mendoza

Mendoza said she wants to share more with students and wants students to feel like they have a second home at Moraine. 

• Mia Poland

Poland mentioned that her main goal is to see students succeed and also touched on her experience being a part of PROUD.

• Michelle Segovia

Segovia said she would be the voice for students that need to be heard and mentioned the importance of getting to know people on a deeper, more personal level.

• Dalayna Stevenson

Stevenson mentioned that through her empathy, advocacy, voice for voiceless, and advocacy for child and patients in her life that will make her a good Trustee. Stevenson gave an example of being in a group setting and how she is the voice that speaks up. She told of taking an 8-week Anatomy and physiology class that was intense. Some of her classmates had to drop out, either because the pace was too fast or the financial strain. Her plan is to advocate for people going back to school and help them find financial resources to continue their education and training. 

What is one of your first things you will do when elected?

• Esmeralda Delgado-Mendoza

Plan workshops or forums to help new students connect with student services like the Tutoring Center. 

• Mia Poland

Help make the enrollment process easier for new students by hosting workshops. She felt that some students were bounced around to various departments and people, and it was confusing and chaotic. She wants to make good impression of Moraine for potential students. 

• Michelle Segovia

Segovia stated that she would promote a better sense of communication with students through workshops, and trying to connect clubs and organizations to each other. (Student Life holds bi-weekly Inter-Club Council meetings.)

• Dalayna Stevenson

Expand financial resources. Stevenson mentioned her experience of seeing her fellow students drop out because they were struggling with balancing courses and how to pay for them. It was disheartening for her to see good students struggling. She wants to provide programs to help students with financial resources. (The MV Foundation awards over $80,000 in scholarships annually.)

What factors helped you choose Moraine Valley over other schools?

• Esmeralda Delgado-Mendoza

Moraine is close to home, has easy access to higher education, and has a beautiful campus.

• Mia Poland

Poland touched on the point in her life where she had to figure out what she wanted to do and how she originally wanted to join the Army. Her mother suggested she look at alternate routes, and they did several college visits. Moraine was their last visit, and she felt a homey and open atmosphere. She also realized that there were great resources here.

• Michelle Segovia

The campus itself and the environment attracted her. She mentioned she had lower GPA than she would have liked, and as a result did not have many other options for a university. Segovia touched on how this place is like a home for her and that she owes credit to the staff she works with and her friends for where she is today.

• Dalayna Stevenson

Stevenson touched on the kind people that come here and how she recently moved to Palos Hills two years ago. She also touched on how great the nursing program is at Moraine with top-tier professors who really care about their students. She also appreciates that the campus does not look like a community college, but more like that of a four-year university because of the spaces and number of buildings at the main campus.

Who inspired you to run for Student Trustee?

• Esmeralda Delgado-Mendoza

Her mother is her inspiration. Asked the next day to follow up on details, she responded with the following:

My mother has always been by my side supporting me through every step of the way. Encouraging me to step forward and show my potential and creativity I have. When I first read that message of having the opportunity to run for student trustee, it was quite a surprise yet was happy for the opportunity and my mother only encouraged me more. Taking that extra step to attend board meetings, fill out the form, and be here that day for a chance to make an impact on campus. As I said, she knows my potential and it’s where I get my confidence to continue forward in running for student trustee. Now with this confidence in myself I hope to make Moraine valley comfortable and inviting for all staff and students and enjoy their time here.

• Mia Poland

Poland stated she was inspired by herself. Poland then went on to explain she always had one foot in the door and wanted to do something that combines both helping people and then wanted to do something big.

• Michelle Segovia

Friends and co-workers encouraged her. Segovia mentioned how if it was not for them she wouldn’t know where she would be today.

• Dalayna Stevenson

Her 4-year old daughter, Dream, who looks up to her, tells her she is a “great mommy” and for whom she feels she is a strong role model.

What will you do to help Moraine students get out and vote in state and federal elections?

• Esmeralda Delgado-Mendoza

She stressed that every vote counts and that there should be workshops to help spread the word on the importance of voting.

• Mia Poland

She would like to host events with food and beverages (always a huge draw) to make students aware of when elections are and why their vote is important.

• Michelle Segovia

Segovia would host hands-on activities, and promote elections on social media, including videos on how the voting process works, how to register to vote, and how to cast a vote in elections. She would also host workshops, events, and information tables.  

• Dalayna Stevenson

Stevenson would like to see Moraine offer additional classes to highlight voting. Gen Z is built on social media, but she would also utilize old school methods of things like information tables with people to help promote voting to younger generations.

Are there any clubs or organizations that you are a part of that will help you for this role?

• Esmeralda Delgado Mendoza

Delgado Mendoza is part of STEM club. She is currently working on a team project for middle schoolers for the STEM expo in April. 

• Mia Poland

Poland has been involved in theater at Moraine which helped her work with a team of cast and crew to put on a production.

• Michelle Segovia

Part of the Tennis Team while at Moraine, and stated that team members encouraged each other in matches, especially when there was no one else to watch games,

• Dalayna Stevenson

Stevenson is not in extracurriculars due to her current school and work schedule. She does go to FitRec to work out early in the morning which taught her discipline, and helped her build rapport and relationships with others she has met there. Part of the reasons she is not in any clubs is her life outside of Moraine, including her 24 hour shifts as a paramedic.