New SGA president focusing on inclusive, involved and impactful student community

Joshua Colindres, a Durham native and Durham Tech’s Student Government Association (SGA) 2024-2025 president, puts thought behind each word he speaks and action behind those words.  

Colindres wanted to be engaged with Durham Tech’s campus, which led to his interest in SGA. 

“It was an easy decision to get involved in the Durham Tech community,” Colindres said. “The culture on the campus promotes involvement and a genuine family feel. I wanted in.” 

Colindres joined SGA and was an integral part of the organization before he decided to run for president. 

“Of course, I considered it carefully because it is not a role to be taken lightly, especially at Durham Tech because student involvement there has historically been strong and backed by administration,” Colindres said. “I follow Elle Hargrave [as president], a committed SGA member and capable, effective SGA president. She set the stage for me and a bar to live up to and strive to surpass.” 

During his campaign, Colindres talked a lot about focusing on a more inclusive, involved and impactful student community; ensuring students continue to be valued and supported by Durham Tech faculty and staff and increasing focus on sustainability, specifically through education on recycling; sustainability workshops and collaboration with local environmental organizations and support for on-campus electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. 

Colindres is looking for SGA to take these initiatives, come up with specific goals and desired outcomes, and then act. 

“I’m looking forward to guiding all our projects and seeing the improvements and positive footprint left by SGA 2024-2025,” said Colindres. 

Dway Stover, Durham Tech’s coordinator for student engagement and enrichment and advisor to SGA, said she is excited about working with Colindres this year.  

“I look forward to engaging collaboratively with Joshua for the 2024-2025 academic year. From what I have experienced so far, his leadership qualities include but are not limited to him being respectful, intentional, a listener, and he possesses courage to learn and grow,” Stover said. “Mr. Colindres will certainly find success through his presidency. I am excited to plan programs and opportunities for the Durham Tech student body, and to assist him with his professional and personal development as he advocates for his peers and their experience here at the college.” 

Colindres will graduate from Durham Tech with an associate's degree in science. He then hopes to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill to study computer science. 

“I will go into UI-UX Development. That is user interface-user experience development. I will design how apps and websites look so the experience of them draws people in,” he said. 

For now, though, his attention in addition to his academics is having a great year for SGA and the College community. 

“I’m all in and ready to go, as I am sure all our SGA members are,” Colindres said. “Let’s go!”