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Rene Yves Kouassi

Biography

Profile: Put yourself in Koffi Rene Yves Kouassi’s shoes...if only for a minute.  Nine years ago Rene was a 17-year-old student on the eve of his first night at a military boarding school (Ecole Militaire Preparatoire Technique) in his native Ivory Coast.  Meeting his classmates, making friends, talking about sports and girls and what the future would hold once they all graduated.  Rene put himself to bed that evening and at 4 a.m. he awoke to the sounds of AK-47 gun fire . . . a military coup had begun and continued for months.  Rene witnessed many atrocities during the insurrection. His family’s possessions were confiscated because they were targeted by the government. Rene was able to eventually come  to the United States by himself where his struggles continued.  Homeless for a long period of time, Rene never gave up.  He found support at Mt. San Antonio College, had an exemplary academic record, and was elected Student Body President, graduating with honors in 2010.  He will major in political science at Claremont McKenna College and his goal is to fight oppression wherever it exists. 

Inspiration:  “I met ‘mom Carolyn’ in my darkest days,” Rene recalls of his first meeting with Carolyn Keys, Dean of Student Services at Mt. San Antonio.  “Since I met her my life became full of hope, and I thank God for her. She has been my biggest fan and supporter. She has advised me and encouraged me; she has helped me believe in myself. She was the first one to make me realize that I am a leader, and I can make positive impacts in this world.”

Aspiration:  A natural leader, Rene hopes for a career as a public servant and to serve others.  “My life philosophy is that of dedicating myself to the service of others, and my goal is to empower myself to do so.”

Making a Difference: At Mt. San Antonio Rene became involved in student government and campus leadership and was elected Vice President and then President in two consecutive years, representing 65,000 students. “It was as a student leader that I decided to pursue a career in law not only because of my passion for serving others, but also because I grasped my ability to advocate for what I believed in.” Rene lobbied in Sacramento against education budget reduction proposals, and he testified before the California Assembly’s Education Committee for a student success bill.

Accolades:  Rene was named Student of Distinction at Mt. San Antonio in 2010, the same year he received the college’s Faculty Distinction Award and the Academic Senate Leadership Award.  There were many other honors in Rene’s trophy case but one he is especially proud of is receiving a Commendation from the State of California Legislature.

Interesting Fact:  Rene was involved with a statewide community college advocacy group called “Campaign for College Opportunity.”  He was part of makeshift delegation of college students that descended on the State Capitol in Sacramento and lobbied legislators in support of additional aid for community colleges.

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