Exploring Ohlone Clubs: An Interview With a President

By: Alister Faraldo

Many say that clubs are an important part of high school life, but what about college? Joining a club enriches one’s academic career by building a community and enabling exploration of that subject. In Ohlone, there are over 50 clubs active in the Fall 2025 semester, making it difficult to find a club best suited to one’s interests. However, finding the perfect club needs not only the right subject but a healthy community within the club as well. Something that might help find that club: an interview with a club member! The chosen club member happens to be Rae Mei, the president and founder of Libertas. 

Interview With a President

When founding a club, it’s important to understand the process and what work goes into the startup. Who better to ask than a club president herself?

How was the process for you?

“I started planning this club this summer. To be honest, I didn’t know how this thing worked. I asked a bunch of people to get the answer. It actually took like several weeks for me to finish this whole process. Getting all the info, finding advice and members. Professor Sakiev is our adviser.”

Prof. Azamat Sakiev runs the political science course, a track that is closely related to the club’s purpose. In Libertas, we believe that your voice is a right, not a privilege. We aim to promote civic awareness, justice, and give young activists a platform to express their opinions and help them change the world. Change begins with one voice.

What inspired you?

“I was inspired to start this club because I believe civic awareness and human rights education should start early, like among peers who are still forming their sense of justice and empathy. My volunteer and research experiences in Fremont, including working with the Mayor’s Office and studying equality law under Professor Eskridge, made me realize how few young people are directly engaged in these conversations. I wanted to create a space where students could learn to discuss rights, laws, and social issues through open dialogue, research, and creative projects.”

How do you run your club?

“We think of everyone’s opinion when we make a decision.”

What positions do you have in your club?

“President, VP, secretary, treasurer, and an Alister.”

We later decided my official position would be public affairs officer and historian.

How do you advertise your club?

“We will mainly advertise through social media (Instagram, school newsletters, and partner organizations) and personal outreach. We also create posts and posters to make our topics.”

As the public affairs officer, I will be managing the social media posts and posters, as well as future club events.

How often do you meet?

“Once in 2 weeks or once a month.”

How do you fund your club?

“No funds so far. Get something good for members, maybe research resources? Or invite someone to give us lectures? I don’t really know so far.”

This will be my jurisdiction as well, focused on planning events and publicizing them. Rae will most likely be in charge of officiating these events on the Ohlone campus. It is important to note that not all clubs require funding, differing based on the communities’ goals and ideologies.

Future ambitions for your club?

“In the future, I plan to expand our club into a network of civic-minded youth chapters across the Bay Area, connecting students who care about rights, policy, and creativity. I also plan to publish our student-led research as an online journal that combines human rights topics with visual storytelling, bridging academic ideas with public understanding.”

Choosing the most appealing club can be difficult, but getting to know the president is a considerable advantage. Ohlone’s Libertas has an ambitious goal and is currently welcoming all additions in Spring 2026. The club is still growing and is excited for its final form. For more information, contact @libertas_ohlone on Instagram.