Bundit Kertbundit just may be the busiest student at DVC, but you wouldn’t know it from his expression.
His ready grin offsets a full schedule as a student and student-leader.
The 19-year-old DVC student has an innate quality of leadership that has repeatedly made him a prime candidate for top positions in governing councils.
What began after his secondary school professors in Singapore nominated him for student council vice president kicked into high gear when Kertbundit came to DVC in 2007.
Kertbundit is currently president of the Associated Students of DVC, at-large senator for Student Senate of California Community Colleges, and the student representative to the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board.
“I put leadership above everything in my life,” he said. “Leadership has been my passion since I was young.”
Kertbundit recently learned of his acceptance for spring semester 2009 to his No. 1 school choice, UC Berkeley. But he is postponing his classes at Berkeley to fulfill the rest of his term as ASDVC president.
Kertbundit said he applied to Berkeley last year on a whim, thinking he didn’t have enough credits yet for acceptance.
“I was afraid if I got accepted that I would have to postpone,” he said, “But if I didn’t run for ASDVC and I didn’t get accepted, then I wouldn’t have either of the things I wanted.
“So I just went with what I knew I could do. I couldn’t control my acceptance, but I could control my election campaign, and in the end I got both.”
Katherine Granado, a member of ASDVC since 2003, works closely with Kertbundit as secretary to the council.
“In the past, all presidents had the good and the bad,” she said. “But what sets Bundit aside from everyone else is that he brings the good out in everybody.
“He emphasizes that we’re all here for the same goal – to advocate for students.”
Anna Braginsky, a friend and ASDVC vice president, also commented on his passion for advocacy.
“I am very honored to work and learn from him,” she said.
Asked about any upcoming leadership roles, Kertbundit’s face broke into another wide grin.
“Actually,” he said, “today was my first day interning for Congressman George Miller.”