Student government election season is here and heating up across schools all over the country. Students are deciding what they are running for, getting their campaigns together, and gearing up for their desired outcome.
For so many college students, joining the Student Government Association is an opportunity for reinvention, to make your mark, and to make a difference at your school.
Being a part of the Student Government Association at an HBCU is a high honor and a great opportunity to make an impact on campus. Not only do you get to flex your leadership skills but you serve as a liaison between the study body and the administration—not to mention the awesome perks of early access to housing and events.
While you don’t have to be a part of SGA to be successful in college, having a position in SGA can definitely teach you skills that will help you in the real world. It builds character and puts you in a position where you can be a problem solver at your university. SGA President at Southern University and A&M College, Kennedy M. Orr said it best, “SGA is an opportunity for the growth of a person both personally and professionally. You will be pushed to your limit, but you’ll learn how to manage your time and energy. Leadership teaches you skills that can’t be found in a textbook. Experience is the best teacher.”
Here are seven pieces of advice from current student leaders on how to thrive in SGA!
Remember Your “Why”
When going out for an SGA position ask yourself why you want it and what you can bring to the table. Holding onto your “why” will help you endure campaign week and any challenges you may face while in SGA.
Junior Class President at Morgan State University, Adrian H Phillips Jr. believes this is the key to running a successful SGA campaign. “Your “why” is the secret to managing a successful SGA campaign. This will enable you to structure your campaign around your goals and core values. Being genuine and driven by purpose is crucial as you present yourself to your university” said Phillips.
Put the Student Body First
Being a part of SGA means serving the campus by being a selfless leader. Listening to the student body’s concerns and advocating for them is what it’s all about.
Executive Secretary at Alabama A&M University, Alexis Powell says she ran for her position because she noticed that the communication on campus from SGA to the student body needed help. She says that listening to students is a major way to thrive in an SGA position. “A way that an individual can succeed in their position is by listening to the student body and having their best interest at heart. It’s important to remember that they elected you because they believed in you, don’t give them a reason to not” said Powell.
Be Passionate about Your Position
Many say that passion is the key to success. If you aren’t passionate about your position then you can’t be successful in your position. Think about what you want to accomplish and only run for a position you’re truly passionate about.
The key to running a successful SGA Campaign is passion and purpose. “You cannot run for a position if it doesn’t serve your purpose nor are you passionate about it. Passion will be your drive and purpose will guide you through your journey” said Gabrielle Orji, the Junior Class President at Prairie View A&M University
Have a Strong Support Team
Having a strong support team makes all the difference when it comes to whatever challenges you may face in your SGA position. Having people to lean on will carry you through campaign week (because we know it gets hectic) to actually serving in your position.
“The key to running a successful campaign is having a strong support system. HBCU elections can be tough on an individual both mentally and physically. It’s important that you have a strong campaign team that is up for that challenge and always willing to help,” says Kennedy M. Orr, Southern University and A&M College’s Sophomore Class President.
Set Goals
Setting clear goals of what you want to achieve in your position and mapping out how you’re going to get it done will help you succeed in your position. Be organized and have a plan.
Miana Wallace, the 93rd Miss Kentucky State University encourages students to be intentional about their position. “In order to thrive in any leadership position, you should sit down and decide what issues you want to tackle first. From there, create a plan and try to partner with administrators, other student leaders, or organizations on campus.”
Be Yourself
When going out for SGA, don’t put on a fake persona you can’t maintain, people will see right through it. Be your authentic self and show people who you really are.
“The key to running a successful campaign is to remember that your campaign isn’t just the two weeks your campaign runs. Your campaign begins the moment you step on campus. People will always remember how you’ve made them feel, the things you’ve done, and how you carry yourself” says SGA President at Edward Waters University, Patricia Johnson.
“Remember that the position doesn’t define you. We are human beings. Mistakes will be made and you can’t please everybody. Stay true to who you are and never lose sight of why you took the position that you did in the first place” says Kennedy M. Orr, Southern University and A&M College’s Sophomore Class President.
Manage Your Time Well
Mastering time management is so important for being a student leader. Being a student leader may feel like a full-time job, but learning how to balance it with all your other responsibilities makes all the difference.
Adrian H Phillips Jr., Junior Class President at Morgan State University says that prioritizing self-care will make you a better leader. “Take care of yourself; if you are stressed or exhausted, it will be difficult for you to lead other students. Spend as much time and effort on yourself as you do on your school. With an empty cup, you cannot pour into your classmates!”
