Josh Franco traces his passion for politics back to sixth grade, when he was eager to run for student body president, but didn’t. Recently he has come to believe that his decision not to run actually influenced his desire to pursue politics.
A public policy transfer student, Resident Assistant (RA) and chair of the Student Government Committee on Constitution and By-laws at UC Merced, Franco realizes it isn’t always what you choose to do; it can be what you choose not to do that ultimately leads to your path in life.
“I’ve come to learn that no career would be more fulfilling than a career in public service,” he says. “Serving in government at the state or national level as an elected official, I believe I can positively impact the greatest amount of people.”
He says one of the main reasons he and many other students decided to attend UC Merced was to establish the student government. “We as students must establish and sustain a student government that offers students the opportunity to develop their life skills, strives to meet and surpass the requirements of the students it represents and the university community it is part of,” he says. Franco is working with other students to develop the constitution and bylaws for the university.
Serving as an intern at Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s office six hours per week is also giving him valuable experience and knowledge about the American political arena.
Franco also maintains a Web site that focuses on education, public service, political participation and human development. “I believe it is important to discuss such topics because it essential to the evolution of the human mind and the progress of human kind,” he says. Franco hopes the two hours or so a week he devotes to his site helps get students more involved in campus life and government.
As one of UC Merced’s first students, Franco feels fortunate to be in the unique position to help shape course curriculum and government for future students.
