Nomination and blog post written by: Gregory Cendana, APAP Board Member & Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Executive Director

Edited by: Erin Pangilinan, APAP Board Member

Christine Byon is the current Organizing & Communications Director for the University of California Student Association (UCSA) responsible for developing and overseeing the campaigns that students choose at their Congress (membership conference) each summer. She provides support to campuses by implementing campaign tactics, developing organizing materials and serving as the main contact for media. During 2010, she led the effort to register more then 40,000 students (from the UC & CSU systems) in CA for the midterm election, including the primaries. Christine also served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Easy Voter Guide. 

Prior to 2010, she served as an Electoral Field Organizer for the UC Student Association and External Vice President of Statewide Affairs at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). She also served on the board of the United States Student Association (USSA). 

UCSA has led the largest, peer to peer, non-partisan voter registration drive in the state and country. Especially during a midterm election, it is critical for young people to be engaged in electoral organizing to ensure candidates that prioritize higher education and other issues important to students are elected.

In my dictionary, Christine's picture shows up under the "above-and-beyond the call of duty" definition. She holds others to the high expectations of which she holds herself. Christine ensures that a new generation of students and young people are engaged in organizing at all levels and that a pipeline of leaders are being developed to be able to serve as the future Electoral Field Organizers and Organizing & Communications Directors of the world!

Christine's efforts ensure that the student leadership continues to be the face and voice in the media and other places. It is through her exemplary leadership that the campaigns are implemented and the students are equipped with the tools and support to win.