Two Lone Star College-Montgomery students to raise awareness about the importance of voting

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Fair Elections Legal Network, a national voting rights group, has selected two Lone Star College-Montgomery students as Coulter Fellows.

Jasym Mireles and Natalia Hazelwood are working to increase voter turnout, voter registration and civic education on campus.

As Coulter Fellows they are also putting a specific emphasis on involving Asian Pacific Islander students in the political process.

“This work is exciting and important,” Mireles said. “The initiative is a national effort and LSC-Montgomery is the only college in Texas that was elected to be part of it.”

Mireles was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and moved with his family to Texas when he was 6 years old. He plans to pursue degrees in business and international relations, and currently serves as President of the Honors College, Treasurer of the Rotaract Club, and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society at LSC-Montgomery. Mireles also participated in National Model United Nations, where he received a position paper award.

Hazelwood grew up in the foster care system, an experience that provided her with the unique opportunity to practice perseverance in the face of hardship.

“I have seen inequality and injustice in my past, so my goal is to advocate for human rights everywhere,” she said. “I continually use this passion to drive me toward success."

Hazelwood plans to pursue a degree in international relations. She is enrolled in the Honors College and serves as Vice President of the Student Government Association at LSC-Montgomery. She interned with the Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and has participated in Rotaract Club, as well as National Model United Nations, where she received the Outstanding Delegate in Committee award.

“We recognize that students’ voices are the least represented in the polls and we want to work to improve that,” Hazelwood said. “It promises to be an exciting semester.”

Both Hazelwood and Mireles are collaborating with Asian Pacific Islander groups in Houston while creating impactful, democratic engagement events for all students throughout the semester.

“College students are an important part of the electorate, but many do not vote,” said Michele Richey, LSC-Montgomery sociology professor and campus civic engagement coordinator. “By offering interesting on-campus events that give them important information, we can help them see the power they have as voters. Jasym and Natalia are working hard to make sure this campus empowers all students, faculty, staff and the community to become better citizens.”

For more information on the Coulter Fellows visit campusvoteproject.org/democracy-fellows.

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