Benjy Egel
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Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) President Jason Colombini is finishing up his last few weeks at Cal Poly, but another family member will soon step into the spotlight.
Thanks in part to her forest-green signs reading “Another Chance to ‘Call On Bini,'” agricultural sciences freshman Jana Colombini was elected to the ASI Board of Directors for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) last Thursday.
“‘Call on Bini’ is too good to pass up, so I had to do it again,” Jana said. “I think (having the same last name) did help a lot, but I was able to make a name for myself. I didn’t just feed off of Jason.”
The Colombinis have a history of leadership at Cal Poly, tracing back to Jana and Jason’s father, Jay. He was on the Student Senate from 1983-84, and became the Agricultural Student Council president during his senior year.
Jason helped Jana put up campaign posters and signs around campus, and met with her a few times during active campaigning to give her advice on all things ASI.
Jana said she was not elected to office solely because of her last name, though. She was the student body and Future Farmers of America president in high school while playing volleyball, basketball and soccer, and she joined Crops Club and Los Lecheros Dairy Club after coming to Cal Poly.
“I missed being involved in student government and trying to improve my school, and having the students’ voices heard,” she said.
The siblings were different growing up on their walnut farm in Linden, Calif., Jana said. Jason always had a passion for government, while Jana was more focused on agricultural issues and sports.
Like new ASI President-elect Joi Sullivan, Jana spoke highly of Jason’s student-driven approach while in office. His daily office hours have proven to be a big hit, and gave students a chance to voice their opinions.
Jason can rest easy knowing his family’s school is in good hands, he said. Seven members of his family have attended Cal Poly since his grandfather, John, in 1945.
Jana has more than enough leadership experience to serve on the Board of Directors, Jason said. He was a newcomer to ASI before this year, having previously served as Interfraternity Council (IFC) president.
“She knows just as much as I do about leadership and involvement,” Jason said. “We’ve kind of got the same morals — I mean, we grew up in the same household — of being a servant leader (and) wanting to help your fellow students.”