On Tuesday, May 9, University of San Diego president James Harris will temporarily surrender leadership of the university to senior Olivia Gonzalez ’17. For 12 hours, president-elect Gonzalez will serve as USD’s Student President for A Day.
A graduate of ScottsValley High School, the Northern California native will receive her bachelor of arts degree in communications studies on May 28. An honors program student, Olivia is the captain of the USD women’s cross country and track team, president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, and the athletics representative on Associated Students. She is also a member of Lambda Pi Eta Communication Studies Honor Society, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a newly elected member of USD’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
Upon graduating from USD, Gonzalez will continue her studies at the University of Southern California where this August she will join a five-year Ph.D. program at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Someday, she plans to become a university professor and study the media’s effects on adolescent development and minority audiences. She credits Dr. Susannah Stern, communications studies, for the enormous impact she has had on her research as her advisor. 
As 2017 President for A Day, Gonzalez’s busy schedule will include myriad meetings and events. Her day will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. when she meets with the president’s staff. Immediately following, she will be escorted to City Hall by director of Community and Government Relations Tom Cleary, for a presentation before the City Council. Upon returning to campus, Gonzalez will meet with USD vice presidents Terry Kalfayan, Tim O’Malley, Ky Snyder, and Carmen Vazquez. She will also meet with Minh-Ha Hoang, USD’s director of admissions. 
Highlighting the day will be hosting the Fireside Chat from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in front of the Torero Store, a meeting with student leaders, and a meeting with USD administrators to discuss food insecurity on campus and in the San Diego community. 
In his role as student, Harris will begin the day by joining the cross country team for their 6 a.m. warm-up, and 8 to 10 mile run. He will also attend Gonzalez’s classes and student meetings. But he will not take any of Gonzalez’s tests! 
Chosen from a pool of very qualified applicants, Gonzalez was one of five finalists invited to give a 5-8 minute presentation to a panel of seven USD faculty, staff and administrators. Throughout the day, Gonzalez will tweet from Harris’ account: @USDPres.