Meet the current AMSA ARC leadership! The club's executive has been almost completely remodeled this semester due to a considerable number of seasoned officers transferring to four-year institutions. So, without further ado...

Jonathan Santos
President

Jonathan was born in San Francisco, but raised in Mexico. He completed part of his elementary school education in Richmond, CA, before moving to Dallas, Texas and finally settled in Sacramento where he graduated from Natomas High School.

His passion for medicine started when he was working on a school project in the UC Davis Hospital during his senior year in high school. Shortly after, he enrolled in American River College and is currently in his second year.

Jonathan’s main goals are to transfer to a four-year institution and then eventually gain admission to a medical school in California. He is currently taking classes to complete both his lower-level undergraduate requirements for a Bachelor’s degree in economics as well as the pre-med curriculum.

He joined AMSA ARC during his second semester at ARC and is currently the Executive Vice President and one of the coordinators for the Annual Pre-Med Conference. AMSA has given him many new perspectives in life. It has also inspired him to continue his pursuit of a medical career and increased his desire to serve the community.

During his spare time, besides studying or putting time and effort into AMSA, Jonathan races dirt bikes and plays sports with his friends. When in medical school, he plans to become a surgeon specializing in emergency medicine.

Liza Anwar
Executive Vice President

Liza was born and raised in Iraq. She came to the United States in 2006 and started attending American River College afterward. AMSA was one of the advices that were given by her counselor and friends who knew that she wants to apply to medical school; as a result, she joined AMSA general meetings on fall of 2006 and became an officer in spring of 2007.

Liza is doing here lower division classes at ARC as a biological science major, and she is planning on transferring to the University of California, Davis after finishing her requirements to start her upper division classes. Afterward, she wants to apply to medical school to pursue her dream on becoming a doctor.

Shelby Rowland
Vice President of Outreach

My name is Shelby Rowland and I'm currently a second year student at American River College. I was born in Austin, Texas, yet grew up in Saulsalito, California across the Golden Gate Bridge. My passion for medicine evolved at a very young age when first experimenting with my mom's first aide kit, then eventually grew into something so much more as the years progressed and I gained more exposure to the medical field. Once I fulfill my requirements at American River College I plan on transferring to a four-year institution as a Biology major, then joining the Air Force as a pre-commissioned officer and completing medical school through the service.

Aside from furthering my pursuits in medicine through the typical academic rigor, being an officer for AMSA ARC, community service, etc., on my spare time I enjoy traveling, skim boarding, wind surfing, and spending time with friends and family.

Joanna Tracewicz
Vice President of Membership

Joanna is excited about the opportunity to serve as a Vice President of Membership at AMSA ARC. She is an international student from Poland. This is her second year in ARC as well as in the United States. She is majoring in Biotechnology and is planning to transfer to UC Davis in fall of 2011. Joanna enjoys studding, snowboarding, traveling and horseback riding.  Her goal is to become a Cardiologist and use her knowledge to help others.

It was this year that Joanna discovered AMSA and decided to be part of this organization. She believes that AMSA offers many opportunities and is a priceless experience for pre-med students. Joanna hopes to increase the awareness of those opportunities, among nonmember pre-med students, and help them pursue their medical goals with AMSA.

Joanna is looking forward to working with you all this year.

Vanessa Ewald
Vice President of Community Service

Vanessa Ewald is grateful for all of the opportunities available to her, especially the opportunity to pursue higher education in her desired field of study of Biology, with the intent of possibly pursuing an ultimate degree in Medicine. She hopes to transfer to a UC after completing two years at American River College and then possibly go to medical school later on. She has volunteered for many organizations and events, and has gained excellent leadership skills from her experience in helping and assisting residents with Alzheimer’s disease at a local senior home.

She always has a positive attitude and follows through with her commitments in a professional and diligent manner. Vanessa is an honest, compassionate, and dedicated individual who loves helping her community and giving back to the less fortunate. Besides school and other work, she enjoys playing tennis and creating fun, diverse artwork at home during her free-time.

Matthew Paranial
Vice President of Activities

Originally from South Kona, Hawaii, Matthew Paranial graduated from Konawaena High school in 2000. Shortly after graduating from high school Matthew enlisted in the United States Air Force were he traveled the world serving tours in Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, and South Korea. Though very proud of his service to his country Matthew decided to separate from the military after six years in order to pursue his education and during his first year at American River College discovered a desire to become a physician. Matthew is currently in his third year at American River College Majoring in Biological science with plans on transferring to UC Davis.

Toby Bradford
Vice President of Records

Born in Lima Peru, Toby was adopted shortly after and raised in Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington State. Toby finished his first two years of high school in Ensenada Mexico, where he successfully completed a teen leadership program. He then relocated to Roseville California to complete his junior and senior years at Roseville High. All through high school Toby worked as music producer in a home studio in Roseville. Upon graduating he continued work in the recording industry before returning to pursue his education. He resumed his education at American River College in the spring semester of 2009 and immediately fell in love with his biology and science courses.

Upon discovering his new desire to become a physician he has chosen to major in biological sciences and music. Toby is completing his second semester at American River College and plans to transfer to UC Davis for his Bachelor’s degree and then attend medical school, specializing in Psychiatry.

Habiba Hashimi
Cosumnes River College Coordinator

In October, 2008, I attended the AMSA ARC conference about being pre-med and I thought it was amazing! I knew I had to get involved. So this semester, now that I finally attend ARC, I decided to join and get involved as an officer. Fall 2009 is my first semester at ARC and I actually attended all of my pre-collegeate schooling (if that’s even a word) in the Bay Area. I am interested in becoming a physician, not a surprise (its what AMSA’s about haha!) but I actually would also like to conduct research and find ways to help people other than just being a physician. Hopefully, AMSA ARC will help me find what my special niche is and I’m going to take it and run!

Lamar Alocozy
Folsom Lake College Coordinator

I'm currently a Bio major at FLC/ARC, and this is my second year. In the near future I plan on transferring to UC Davis fall of 2010 to pursue my education and my dream of one day becoming a doctor.