Selena Pedraza

Selena Pedroza of Schiller Park is stepping outside her comfort zone, embracing leadership opportunities and pursing her dreams. As the newly elected Triton College Student Association (TCSA) president, Pedroza is excited to step into a position of responsibility.

“Student Life made a huge difference in my academic career,” she said. “Everyone was so welcoming, and it was easy to get involved. Joining organizations helped me grow so much.”

Pedroza admits that she was “extremely shy” as a student at East Leyden High School, a trait she wanted to improve. After a challenging junior year, Pedroza chose Triton because it offered an affordable option and a smooth transition to college. She also notes that her father completed his GED at Triton, and the college left a strong impression on her.

“Looking back, attending Triton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said. “It’s been a life-changing experience.”

Once on campus, Pedroza immersed herself in activities. She joined TCSA, Program Board, Model United Nations (UN), Active Minds, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Fashion Club and Asian Culture Club.

Encouraged to run for TCSA president by Johnny Urbina, director of Student Services, Pedroza saw it as an opportunity to expand her involvement even further.  

“I genuinely care about the student body,” she explained. “I didn’t want to take on this role to just add it to my resume. I believe I’m a good listener and I want to represent the students and bring their concerns forward.”

Pedroza collected 50 student signatures to run. She said it was a challenge to approach people she didn’t know but proved to be a valuable learning experience.

“It was very exciting to be nominated,” she said. “I had to complete all the requirements, collect signatures and earn students’ support. It felt rewarding.”

Pedroza loves that TCSA offers students the opportunity to make a real impact on campus, as well as an introduction to leadership and parliamentary procedure.

“I’ve learned how to budget, make decisions and a better understanding of the college,” she explained.

She said TCSA has even helped her with her public speaking, pushing her outside of her comfort zone and to speak up for the student body.

Pedroza will graduate from Triton in May 2027 and hopes to transfer to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U of I) to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. Until then, she’s proud to help lead Triton toward a bright future.

“I truly believe Triton is an amazing place to grow, meet new people, get involved and receive a quality education,” she said. “It has made a tremendous difference in my life, and I hope more students take advantage of everything it has to offer.”