Breaking Barriers and Building Blueprints: Inside Myisha Jackson’s Historic Year Leading ASRCC

Riverside City College Student Body President Myisha Jackson has spent the 2025-2026 term navigating historic milestones, institutional pressure and the demands of student leadership while helping guide the college through a year of transition and growth. Her tenure reflects a moment of historic significance as an African American women president of Associated Students of Riverside City College (ASRCC), an administration that holds a historic place in the organization’s long history and underscores a moment of evolution for student leadership at Riverside City College (RCC). 

Her year has been shaped by advocacy, statewide policy work, and a commitment to strengthen student engagement across campus. Jackson oversees the Executive Board, Judicial Board and supports the Senate, while also serving as region 9 Legislative Affairs Director for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. In this role she represents 12 colleges and advocates for more than 2.2 million community college students. 

“I oversee the Executive, Legislative as well as the Judicial Board, which would be the supreme court here,” she said. “I am responsible for policy, bills and advocacy for 2.2 million community college students.” 

Jackson’s leadership extends across multiple programs. She is a College Corps fellow, CALA Alumni, former two term Law Society president and one of the first Law Ambassador’s for the Pathway to Law Program. Her approach is shaped by lived experience, a keen sense of purpose, and a focus on elevating student needs. 

As a student-parent, Jackson often brings her daughter to campus and into spaces where decisions are made. She says the lack of family-friendly areas at RCC motivated her to advocate for change. This year she   authored with co- authors Kalisha Gomez and Jessica Zenteno a statewide resolution requiring all 116 California community colleges to implement student-parent support services as well as she authored a resolution with Paul Medina a resolution for the Pathway to Law School Program to be accessible to all 116 California community Colleges. Delegates across the state voted to pass them at the 2026 General Assembly. 

“I wrote a resolution to have these services implemented at all 116 colleges and it passed,” she said. “It has been such a fight for us.” 

Jackson says the exposure her daughter receives by being present in these environments is intentional. She hopes that seeing leadership up close will normalize ambition, confidence, and civic engagement for her at an early age. She describes it as planting seeds for a future where her daughter feels comfortable stepping into any room and understanding that her voice matters. 

Her presidency has included moments of conflict. Earlier this year, Jackson faced a potential impeachment attempt led by students she had encouraged to join leadership. She describes the experience as difficult but clarifying. 

“The majority of the people that were trying to impeach me, I encouraged and supported to run for those positions,” she said. “My purpose and mission are beyond me. This is about the students.” 

Jackson says she has also had to navigate misunderstandings about her communication style and leadership approach as an African American Woman. She notes that passion can sometimes be misinterpreted, which has required her to adjust her tone and strategy depending on the audience. 

“You have to know who you are helping and communicate with people where they are,” she said. 

Despite the challenges, Jackson’s leadership philosophy remains grounded in empathy, integrity, and adaptability. She describes her style as direct and transparent, but also mindful of how distinct groups receive information. 

Her impact is visible across the campus. She helped expand accessibility initiatives; she recently, appointed a student to be a be an Accessibility and Inclusion Director as well as strengthening multicultural engagement. She has served as a Law Ambassador under Professor LaNeshia Judon, J.D., supporting the Pathway to Law Program and its mission to expand access to legal and judicial careers. Jackson describes that work as vital for students who may not have seen themselves represented in those professions. 

“I do not know many people who come from backgrounds like ours who become lawyers,” she said. “We need to be in those spaces.” 

Jackson’s journey to leadership is shaped by her lived experiences. She has navigated housing insecurity, food insecurity, been system impacted, and the challenges of balancing school with parenthood. She has also been a business owner and adult student learning to move through multiple at once. She says those experiences allow her to lead with a perspective that is “universal and multifaceted.” 

Her hope is that students see themselves reflected in her leadership and feel encouraged to pursue opportunities they may not have considered. 

“You belong. You are enough. You can do it,” she said. 

As her term nears its end, Jackson is focused on leaving a foundation that future student governments can build on. She wants to create structure, continuity, and a blueprint for the next generation of leaders. She describes legacy not as a title but as a system that outlives the people who built it. Her goal is for future students to inherit a student government that is organized, informed, and empowered to advocate effectively. 

“I want to leave a blueprint behind for the next student government,” she said. 

Looking ahead, Jackson envisions a future in law, policy, and education. She hopes to become an attorney, possibly a judge, and eventually return to RCC to teach communications and law. She sees her long-term path as one that blends public service, legal advocacy, and mentorship. Her goal is to help shape systems both inside the courtroom and inside the classroom. 

For now, she continues to lead with the same clarity that carried her through the year. Her presidency is not only a milestone for ASRCC. It reflects RCC’s commitment to student leadership, institutional growth, and the evolving needs of its campus community. 

Note: Student produced article by Sha-phan Welsh, edited and approved by Jessica Vierra, public affairs officer.