Tariq Azim

Tariq Azim grew up in the Inland Empire and attended public schools in the cities of Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga before enrolling at Chaffey College. As a first-generation and low-income student, Tariq knew he wanted to spend no more time than he needed to in community college before transferring to a four-year university. Still, he struggled to navigate academic obstacles, often running into conflicting or inaccurate information, causing him to self-advocate to get the correct answers. The lack of information available to students and the negative stigma of community colleges inspired him to help his peer, siblings, and first-generation students who were struggling to navigate academia.

While at Chaffey College, Tariq was heavily involved in student advocacy with the college’s student body association and at the regional and statewide level on the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC)’ Board of Directors as a Legislative Affairs Director, representing the Inland Empire, and later as Interim Vice President of Regional Affairs. After transferring to UC Davis, he was elected to the Associated Students of UC Davis (ASUCD) and the UC Student Association (UCSA). He also served as UCSA’s Vice Chair of Government Relations.

Tariq knows the power that public policy has to increase access to higher education for historically marginalized and underrepresented students, not only as a student advocate but as someone who personally benefitted from the policies he continues to advocate for, whether that be expanding access to financial aid or reforming remedial education.

Tariq has associate degrees in Political Science, Political Economics, and Social & Behavioral Sciences from Chaffey College and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science-Public Service from UC Davis. In 2022, Tariq was awarded “30 Under 30” by California Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes for his work in exemplifying dedication, innovation, and service in the 47th Assembly District.

Alma Mater(s): Chaffey College & University of California, Davis
Your role in one sentence: Supporting state budget and legislative advocacy implementation and manage coalitions in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles regions.
When I am not at work helping students get to and succeed in college I am… making Spotify playlists, riding my bike, or spending quality time with friends.
If not higher education then what cause? Environmental justice and healthcare for all.