Ben Co

Wassup! My name is Ben Co, and I’m a fourth year at Sonoma State University, majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology. I am American- born Chinese, born and raised in Oakland, California. I’m proud of where I’m from because Oakland has shown me the ropes to life. Oakland has also taught me a lot about community, since back at home we treat everyone like family. When I came out to Sonoma State, I wanted to bring that part with me, and that is the reason why I try to be cool with everyone.

I’ve been a part of many different clubs and organizations on campus; from leading elementary school students at the Fairfield Osborn Preserves to helping students find their purpose here on campus with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I’ve also been a SPUF Co-Coordinator for the Filipino American Association of Sonoma State University (FAASSU) at Friendship Games, Community Services Advisor (now referred to as RA) for Residential Life, and a Youth Programs Coordinator for Join Us Making Progress (JUMP). Through my involvement, I was able to provide students with community, mentorship, and compassion.

Growing up in Oakland, we had our own unique culture and language. It was difficult for me to find my community because of the lack of diversity on campus. Back at home, people say “You can take a kid out of the ghetto but can’t take the ghetto out of the kid.” I resonate with that quote a lot because I grew up in the 100’s (a block in Oakland), and now I attend Sonoma State in Rohnert Park, which is a more gentrified area. Through my years at Sonoma State I’ve been laughed at for the languages I’ve used when conversing with others because it didn’t sound correct to them or my voice didn’t fit my ethnic and physical appearance. However, after getting involved on campus, it taught me to be proud of the way I talk and present myself because it is a part of my unique identity. My active involvement in different clubs and organizations has taught me many lessons and shaped the person that I am today.