Gia Monticello currently serves as the Commissioner of Legislative Affairs with the Associated Students Government Affairs. Learn more about Gia's position and his experience below.
What does a typical day look like for you in your role with Associated Students? Include how you balance classes, meetings, and your responsibilities within Government Affairs.
A typical day in Associated Students is rarely the same—there is always something new to work on and new people to connect with. I hold office hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, which allows me to spread my workload out and keep it manageable. I prefer to schedule office hours in the morning, attend classes afterward, and then go to work. This structure helps me stay productive and complete tasks earlier in the day rather than pushing everything to the evening. In addition to my campus responsibilities, I attend monthly California State Student Association (CSSA) meetings, where I collaborate with student leaders from across the CSU system to discuss issues impacting students both statewide and regionally. I also attend Government Affairs Council meetings bi-weekly.
What are some tasks or responsibilities that regularly show up in your day-to-day work?
My regular responsibilities include creating blog posts, meeting with fellow commissioners, and collaborating with team members on various projects. A significant part of my day-to-day work involves communication, planning, and ensuring that student voices are represented in ongoing initiatives.
What are your main responsibilities in your position, and how do they impact students or campus life?
My primary responsibilities include attending CSSA meetings, hosting the Legislative Affairs Council, and participating in Government Affairs Council meetings. Through these roles, I help represent Chico State students at the statewide level, facilitate conversations about legislative and policy issues, and create opportunities for students to engage in advocacy. This work directly impacts campus life by ensuring student perspectives are included in decisions that affect their academic experience and overall well-being.
What has been the most rewarding part of serving in this position?
The most rewarding part of this position has been advocating for students on multiple levels. Participating in state and federal advocacy days has given me the opportunity to speak directly about the issues affecting students and share firsthand perspectives with decision-makers. Being able to represent student voices in those spaces has been incredibly meaningful.
What has been the most challenging part of your role, and how have you worked through it?
One of the most challenging aspects of my role has been hosting the Legislative Affairs Council. Many students may not fully understand what the council does or may feel hesitant to join because they believe it focuses heavily on complex laws. In reality, the council is about discussion, awareness, and student engagement. To address this challenge, I have focused on outreach and clearer communication to make the council more accessible and welcoming to all students.
What advice would you give to a student who is considering running for your position or getting involved with AS?
I would encourage students to make the most of every opportunity. Attend as many meetings and events as possible, ask questions, and build connections. Remember that you are advocating for all Chico State students, not just yourself. I would also recommend prioritizing outreach and engagement to ensure your council or role remains visible and accessible to the broader campus community.
Is there anything you wish you knew about this role before you ran for office?
I wish I had known more about CSSA before running for office—specifically the scope of their work and the opportunities available to get involved. Understanding that earlier would have helped me feel even more prepared stepping into the role.
At Chico State, student representatives are elected each academic year to serve and advocate on behalf of the student body with AS Government Affairs. This election is held annually during the spring semester. All elected representatives serve a one-year term and contribute to Associated Students and University councils and committees, serve as representatives of the Colleges, and advocate on behalf of the students of Chico State.
Students interested in running for office are required to apply and declare their candidacy. 2025 applications for Associated Students Election Eligibility are now open and are due on Wednesday, March 4th by 12 p.m. Once confirmed eligible to run, the Election Supervisor will invite you to formally declare a position in which you wish to run. For information regarding the election process, please visit as.csuchico.edu/election.
