she has always embraced. She said her perseverance also stems from her agricultural background. She is the 24th ASI president from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. “A lot of us grew up on farms and understand that if you want to achieve something, you have to work for it. Agriculture is one of the only industries that have youth programs that start you at a young age in leadership roles and public speaking,” she said. “It’s also a theme in the college to be involved. Whether you are in a leadership position or not, you still give your all to the organization. It is the root of your education — you learn so much more outside the classroom.”
In 1990, her father, who also serves as executive vice president of Farmers and Merchants Bank, bought about 60 acres in Linden to farm walnuts. The farm has now expanded to more than 175 acres. Her uncle Jeff Colombini was named the 2013 Grower of the Year by the Good Fruit Grower’s Advisory Board. He is an owner – along with a management team – and president of Lodi Farming, which farms more than 1,800 acres of fruit trees, grapes and more. Jana Colombini said that growing up in a small, rural farm town led her to use creativity and innovation to create her own adventure. “In a town of 1,700 people, everyone knows everyone,” she said. “Our 200-acre walnut orchard was my playground – it was an amazing place to grow up.” For both Jana and Jason, the trajectory to Cal Poly was somewhat imminent. “I grew up coming to Cal Poly during Open House every year,” said Jana. “We would vacation nearby. After coming here so many times, you can’t help but fall in love with it.” Jana eventually wants to return to
Linden High School to teach agriculture, something she was inspired to do from a young age while participating in 4H and FFA programs. In the meantime, she plans to give Cal Poly her all. She and her brother will make another lasting family memory in the spring when they both don caps and gowns and graduate onto their next experiences. The memories they have built at Cal Poly will be added to decades of treasured family remembrances. “After my grandparents passed away, we found a box in their garage with all my grandfather’s school memorabilia – from catalogues to schedules and even a pennant and his graduation program,” said Jason. “My grandfather passed away when I was young, but Cal Poly has been able to provide a link to him, an ability to learn about who he was, that I’m very grateful for.”
Giving Back Jana admits that a friendly element of sibling rivalry has made her more competitive at times, but ultimately her desire to lead is an innate quality
Jason said that he is incredibly proud of his sister. “I know firsthand how much you learn and change by being ASI President, so there’s a lot more in store for her this year,” he said. It runs in the family. Their dad served as a committee chair on the ASI Senate, now known as the ASI Board of Directors, when he attended Cal Poly.
Learn by Doing is not something that you can get elsewhere. I want to make good, thoughtful decisions that will have a positive impact for my kids
After Jason completes his master’s program, he will return to the family farm in Linden to work. He also plans to one day pursue public office.
fourth generation
In the meantime, the siblings continue to give back.
believe that when
“Cal Poly provided my family with many skills, connections, friends and a high quality education,” said Jason. “I feel that we’ve always done what we can to give back to the university that’s given our family so much.” Jana agrees.
when they are students here. I my grandfather was here, he thought about that too. Jana Colombini
“I want to preserve what we do here,” she said. “Learn by Doing is not something that you can get elsewhere. I want to make good, thoughtful decisions that will have a positive impact for my kids when they are fourth generation students here. I believe that when my grandfather was here, he thought about that too.”
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