Sierra College Student Success Story: Sandra Gallo
I had the great privilege to serve with Sandra for a year while she was student trustee, and how exciting for her to receive this award and scholarship. Congratulations, Sandra!
Sandra Gallo Receives California State Systems Office Annual Student Leadership Scholarship Award
ROCKLIN – Sandra Gallo, a 2008 Sierra College graduate and last year’s Associated Students of Sierra College President, was selected to receive the California State Systems Office (CSSO) Annual Student Leadership Scholarship Award. The CSSO Executive Board awards two annual scholarship awards of $1,000 to a student leader who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and abilities at the campus, regional, or statewide level.
A letter of recognition that accompanied Gallo’s application, submitted by Vice President of Student Services, Mandy Davies, stated “I must begin by stating that in the sixteen years that I have been an administrator at Sierra College, I have not worked with such a poised, articulate, passionate, inspirational and truly gifted student leader as Sandra. As this year’s president of our 20,000 plus student body, Sandra will leave behind a legacy that will be next to impossible to follow.”
Sandra Gallo has a lot to be proud of. As a reentry student, Sandra initially had fears that she was too old and too far removed from the rigors of school to accomplish her goals while raising her six year old daughter alone. But since she began attending Sierra College in August of 2006 her life has taken some dramatic turns in the right direction. Maintaining a solid 4.0 GPA, Gallo’s confidence strengthened and she began to step out into other areas of interest on campus. She got involved in student government, with the desire to be an advocate for other reentry students like herself. She also held the seat as Student Trustee on the Board of Trustees.
In her role as the ASSC president, Gallo made vast improvements for the organization. She managed the relocation and renovation of the office and improved the financial status of the Association by paying off a large loan, leaving the books in the black for the new president. She oversaw the largest Student Senate in the history of Sierra College and became adapt at conflict management. She worked with the Senate to forge new and lasting relationships with faculty, staff, and management.
This fall, Sandra Gallo has transferred to Sacramento State where she will pursue a BS in Finance. Her goal is to one day have a career on Wall Street, and with her talent and ambition, everyone who knows her is certain she will accomplish great things.
“I am no longer a frightened re-entry student,” said Sandra Gallo. “I am now a person who understands the importance of goal setting, an education, and civic responsibility. My greatest desire is to be a role model to my daughter. I want her to look at me and see a woman who turned adversity into opportunity. I also want her to understand that it is never too late to start over and to be a success in whatever endeavor one sets their mind to achieve.”
