Director of Marketing: Nick Fequiere
Q: Tell us about you. What year are you in? What is your major? What clubs and organizations are you a part of on and off campus?
A: My name is Nick Fequiere, and I’m running for the Director of Marketing position. I’m a senior here at CSU Bakersfield, and I’ll be graduating this December with my degree in communications with a sub-plan in public relations. I’ve also attended Taft College, where I earned my associate degrees in multimedia journalism and liberal arts. I have a background in journalism from my time as a reporter for Black Gold, Taft College’s publication, and The Runner. I’m also the chapter president of the newest fraternity on campus, Alpha Sigma Phi. We’re happy and excited to be here, and we’re looking forward to helping grow this university’s culture in many positive ways through philanthropy, charity, social events and the support of the other wonderful organizations that CSU Bakersfield has to offer.
Q: What are your plans for CSUB if you are elected? What changes would you like to make? How would you work to leave it better than you found it? Where do you see CSUB headed for the next year in terms of student life?
A: If elected, my plan is to help market CSUB as a destination school. I’ve been at this university on again and off again since 2011, so I’ve seen its meteoric rise over the past few years. I was here when there was no school spirit. I was here when our sports programs weren’t very good. I remember when CSUB was “just CSUB.” That sentiment is changing, and we’re undoubtedly on the map now. I plan to leverage that momentum to not only get students pumped up about our university, but continue to engage community members and establish a mutually beneficial relationship between our school and the city of Bakersfield. One area of concern is that CSUB students do not have adequate access to or knowledge of internship opportunities. I don’t simply want to market the university to the community. I want to establish a two-way pipeline in which local businesses and organizations have the ability and desire to communicate directly with the student body and inform them of job and internship opportunities. I plan on doing this by utilizing my personal connections with upper management at companies both here and in the Los Angeles area, and by partnering with the Center for Career Education and Community Engagement. Doing this will foster a brighter future and perhaps reduce scenarios in which recent CSUB graduates fail to find positions in their fields of study. I see CSUB on a steady upward trend. From getting Wale to perform at the next Runner Nights event to seeing the recent success of our basketball team and the ensuing school spirit, our university will only continue to prosper in tandem with Bakersfield’s continual development.
Q: What made you take an interest in student government? Do you have any previous experience in student government? What concerns you about the CSUB student government?
A: I took an interest in student government because I saw it as an opportunity to leave a significant legacy at a university that has provided me with so many opportunities. I first began to enjoy politics during my senior year of high school when I was in the We the People program, which taught me about the United States Constitution and how it is applied to current events. I’m now a few years older and much wiser, and I feel that I’m prepared to take on a position within student government and make an impact. I don’t have any prior experience in student government, but as I mentioned earlier, I was in the We the People program, and I am the chapter president of my fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi. Being the president of a Greek organization is in many ways similar to holding office within student government. I wouldn’t say that anything in particular concerns me about our current leadership, but like with all governments, they must continually be held accountable and we must maintain a balance of power through a regular election process. The current ASI team has done an incredible job, and the next students who step up to fill those roles will have the benefit of standing on the shoulders of giants.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for the job?
A: I am the best candidate for the job because of my work ethic, tenacity, ambition, education and prior work experience. I’m currently studying communications, public relations and marketing. Early last year, I completed a communications and marketing internship with California Resources Corporation, and I have continued to maintain a healthy relationship with my supervisors to this day. I’m currently in the midst of two internships, one of which recently saw me tackle the responsibility of writing the script for Kern Council of Government’s Regional Awards ceremony. My other current internship, with Northwestern Mutual, has afforded me the opportunity to work in and learn the finance industry while allowing me to hone my communication skills by talking to people from all walks of life. This is useful because in my role as the Director of Marketing, I will have to be able to effectively communicate with students, faculty members, administrators, fellow ASI officers, and community members, as well as a host of other demographics. I was also recently accepted to a summer internship in Midland, Michigan with Dow Chemical, which is a Fortune 100 company and operates globally. My experience with them over the summer will only leave me better equipped to handle whatever challenges may come my way in this position.
Q: Do you have any talents or interesting hobbies you engage in outside of school?
A: Considering my many responsibilities, I don’t often find myself having much time to spend on hobbies. However, when I do get a chance to unwind, I enjoy playing sports like basketball or volleyball, going to the movies or reading a good book. As far as talents go, people have always told me that I’m good with different accents or impersonations. At one point or another, I’ve been known to use Jamaican, Irish, British and Australian accents and impersonate Chris Tucker and Barack Obama.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add about yourself?
A: I love this university, and I’ve grown very proud of what we have here. We’ve accomplished much, but I firmly believe that we have the potential to accomplish so much more. I want to help us do that, and I am confident that if you elect me to be the Director of Marketing, I will exceed all of your expectations. It’s no secret that I am running unopposed, but I do not want to win this position by virtue of a technicality. I want to win because my peers believe in my ability to get the job done. That being said, I’d also like to take a moment to provide a brief endorsement for my brothers Damien Santillan and Christopher Basulto who are running to become your next Directors of Community Engagement and Sustainability, respectively. I’ve come to know these two men well over the past few months, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will go above and beyond what is expected of them in serving their campus and community. Both Damien and Christopher serve alongside myself on Alpha Sigma Phi’s Executive Board. Damien is our Recruitment Director and Christopher is our Scholarship Director. They understand the importance of hard work and a job well done. On April 5-6, please cast your votes for Santillan, Basulto and Fequiere.
