Maria Barragan
Commencement Student Speaker 2018
Tonight’s student speaker, Ms. Maria Barragan, is the current Associated Student of
Norco College (ASNC) President. She was elected in the spring of 2017 to serve the
campus as the primary voice for the more than 13,000 Norco College students and Maria
has fulfilled her role as well as any student body president in the history of Norco
College. Her relationships with faculty, staff and administrators is one of respect
and admiration. Over her three years at Norco College she has gained the trust of
her fellow students and has represented them on campus, at the state level, and even
in Washington D.C. at the national Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Ms. Barragan was born in Mexico City and came to the United States at age of 5 with
her mother and sister. She grew up all over California, but attended Charter Oak High
School in Covina. Today, Maria resides in Jurupa Valley with her mother, sister and
step-father.
Maria is a force to be reckoned with while at the same time has the sweetest demeanor.
In her many leadership positions on campus, she has taken an active role in making
a positive impact wherever she goes. She has been actively involved as a member of
Dreamers and Leaders, Puente as a Peer Mentor and Historian, as well as ASNC. In ASNC,
she has moved up through the ranks, starting as a Senator of Campus Activities, then
Vice President of Campus Activities, and finally ASNC President for the 2017-2018
academic year. She is a member of the campus’ Academic Senate, Institutional Strategic
Planning Council, and Committee of the Whole.
Ms. Barragan will be leaving behind many legacy programs, which she founded or co-founded,
including Norco Fest, the Athletic Pep Rally, Silent Disco, and Chill Out (Snow Day),
just to name a few. Maria is a Sociology major and will be attending the University
of California, Riverside in the fall to pursue a B.A. in Sociology and one day a Guidance
Counselor in Higher Education. Norco College’s Student Commencement Speaker Sub-Committee
was proud to select Maria Barragan to give tonight’s keynote address.
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