Student Government at UNCP allows you to represent your classmates, make a difference
and
lead with purpose. The Student Government Association (SGA) makes your voice heard
by
elected leaders who help create a stronger campus community. Explore leadership
opportunities and ways to get involved!
Student Government at UNCP
The Student Government Association at UNCP represents you. SGA speaks up for student
concerns and champions student rights. Join SGA to make your voice heard, connect
with
like-minded peers and contribute to the leadership team that drives UNCP forward!
The SGA is a student-led organization dedicated to representing and safeguarding the
interests of UNCP students. As a vital link between the student body and administration,
SGA
works to provide you with opportunities for action on issues related to student rights
and
welfare. While discipline is the administration’s legal responsibility,
SGA’s principles are supported by faculty and administrators.
How Does SGA Work?
When you become a UNCP student, you’re automatically a member of the SGA, which functions
through elected representatives. We operate under the sponsorship of the Vice Chancellor
of Student Affairs and follow guidelines outlined in its governing documents.
SGA operates as a presidential unicameral system with a structure that includes:
Executive Branch:
President, Vice President, Chief of Staff, Secretary and Treasurer.
Senate:
32 seats, allocated as follows:
Six seats for each class.
Three seats for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Two seats for the College of Health Sciences.
One seat each for the College of Business & Economics, College of Education and
Graduate School.
When and Where Does SGA Meet?
SGA meets every Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. in James A. Thomas Hall, room 130. For up-to-date
meeting locations and the latest student council activities, check
BraveConnect
.
Participate in UNCP’s Democratic Process
Whether casting your vote or running for office, your participation drives positive
change
and ensures your voice is heard. Explore election timelines, voting instructions and
candidate information below to get involved in shaping your campus community.
How to Cast Your Vote
During the voting period, please review each candidate’s platform on key student issues.
Attend the candidate debate, learn about their goals and choose the leadership that
aligns
with your vision for UNCP.
Participating in SGA elections is simple and accessible. When voting opens, a link
to the
online ballot will be sent to your email. Make sure your voice is heard by voting.
Are you interested in earning a campus government role? Any full-time student with
a
cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) can seek a position. Learn about available
officer seats, including the Executive and Legislative Branches. Review the SGA
Electoral Code
for more details, and contact the
SGA Government Operations Chair
with any questions.
Elections Timeline
The SGA Fall Elections fill all officer seats for the upcoming academic year — your
chance to step into a leadership role or vote for the candidates who best represent
your
interests.
Applications open in early August and remain open for most of the month, during which
time
candidate verification and ballot preparation take place. Campaigning and voting follow
for one week, after which ballots are certified and winners are notified and announced
— all before the end of the first full week of September.
Fall 2026 SGA Elections Timeline
August 3 – Application opens
August 26 – Application closes
August 3 – 26 – Verification and Ballot Preparation
September 1 – Campaigning and Voting Begins
September 6 – Campaigning and Voting Ends
September 7 – Ballot Certification
September 8 – Candidates Notified of Results and Winners Announced
UNCP’s Collaborative Leadership Development
At UNC Pembroke, leadership in student government isn’t just about holding a title
—
it’s about creating positive change and fostering collaboration. The Division of Student
Affairs provides comprehensive training and development opportunities to empower student
leaders across campus. Through purposeful, values-based education, UNCP aims to equip
students with the skills to lead with impact.
Purposeful Leadership Training
The Division of Student Affairs emphasizes leadership as a collaborative and relational
process. Through workshops, training and hands-on experiences, student leaders learn
to
create meaningful change in a supportive community. Programs like senator training
for the
SGA offer opportunities to connect with peers on and off campus.
The UNC Association of Student Governments (ASG) unites students across the 17-campus
UNC
System to advocate for accessible higher education and expanded opportunities. Each
month,
UNCP delegates attend ASG business meetings held at rotating campuses, bringing ideas
and
initiatives back to UNCP. Delegates actively participate in discussions shaping the
future
of North Carolina higher education. Visit
BraveConnect
for meeting dates and location updates.
The NACA® Student Government East Institute is a professional development program
designed to enhance leadership in student government. Delegates gain skills in fostering
university collaboration, building school spirit, managing leadership transitions
and
promoting diversity. They also explore strategies for outreach and leveraging technology
to strengthen student government operations.
This summer opportunity is open to SGA members who plan to remain active in the upcoming
academic year.
Student Senate & Faculty Committees
Did you know Senators can serve on Student Senate and Faculty Committees? These committees
allow
senators to directly impact topics they are passionate about while serving as the
student body’s
voice. Learn more about our Student Senate Committees.
Academic Affairs Committee (AA)
AA is responsible for acting as a liaison between SGA and university administration
in academic
initiatives, projects and developments; ensuring student needs are being met in academics;
and
reviewing and providing feedback for any academic resolutions, as determined by the
presiding
officer. AA will also take on any duties deemed necessary.
Government Operations
GO is responsible but not limited to facilitating the internal operations of the student
government; enforcing, reviewing and amending internal documents and procedures; and
ensuring that
any bills presented to the senate are valid under the SGA documents. GO should also
take any other
duties deemed necessary.
Student Affairs Committee
The Student Affairs Committee is responsible for acting as a liaison between SGA and
university administration in the area of student affairs initiatives, projects and
developments; ensuring student needs are being met in student affairs; and reviewing
and
providing feedback for any resolutions related to the area of student affairs, as
determined
by the presiding officer. SA will also take on duties deemed necessary by the Student
Senate
President.
University and Community Relations
University and Community Relations is responsible for acting as a liaison between
SGA, its
constituent members and the surrounding community; advocating for the interests of
students
and the university to local organizations, businesses and leaders; and reviewing and
providing feedback for any resolutions related to the area of community relations,
as
determined by the presiding officer. UCR should also take on any other duties deemed
necessary by the Student Senate President.
Public Relations Committee
The Public Relations Committee is responsible for outreach and marketing of the
organization, events and elections to the student body and across campus. The purpose
of PR
is to engage the student body with SGA’s current initiatives and goals and to create
avenues
for outreach to understand student needs.
Meet Our SGA Members
The SGA consists of the executive and legislative branches. The organization holds
elections
each spring semester, in accordance with its governing documents, to ensure representation
and advocacy for the student body.
The President and Vice President lead the executive branch and include the cabinet,
which
consists of the Chief of Staff, Treasurer, Secretary, committee heads and any additional
positions deemed necessary. Executive officers are elected annually by a majority
vote
during student body elections and selected from the student body. The President and
Vice
President must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
The legislative branch consists of the Student Senate, a body of elected student senators.
The Student Senate serves as the supreme legislative authority of the SGA. To learn
about
the election processes, check out our
electoral code
.
Freshman Senators (6 seats)
Kene Black
Cece Chavis
Tyshawn Kirkland
Alexis Lowry
Madison Oxendine-Spencer
Rashad Suggs
Sophomore Senators (6 seats)
Ria Gautam
Leiana Locklear
Lily Martich
Robbie Perry
VACANT
VACANT
Junior Senators (6 seats)
Dustin Barnes
Emily Campbell-Tyler
Alisha "Elsa" Ghimire
Bethany Locklear
Ariana Oxendine
Bryan Ramirez-Jackson
Senior Senators (6 seats)
Iva Angjeleska
David Haltom
Sebastian Kalajdzhyan
VACANT
Nely Rivera-Guerrero
Kenley Woodson
College of Arts and Sciences Senators (3 seats)
Chantal Fountain
Vanessa Macarthy
Kadin Scott
College of Health Sciences Senators (2 seats)
Mary Guzman
Alyson Murray
School of Business Senator (1 seat)
Alicia McCrimmon
College of Education Senator (1 seat)
Destiny Crawford
Graduate School Senator (1 seat)
VACANT
Greetings BraveNation!
I am Elijah Griffin, and it is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 2026-2027
Student
Body President. On behalf of Vice President, LaNiya Harris and the 79th session executive
team and senate, I am beyond ecstatic to welcome you to UNC Pembroke. We are excited
that
you have chosen to be a part of the one-and-only BraveNation as you take your next
step in
this ever so important path of your journey in life.
You are at a place where history has been written, and you are currently making history
yourself by becoming a Brave. The student body at UNCP is one of the most diverse
in the
UNC System, and we view that as one of our greatest strengths.
SGA meets every Wednesday at 5:15 PM in James A. Thomas Hall, Room 130, and these
meeting
are open to all students, giving you a space for you to come and voice your concerns
to
our senators. This is also a great opportunity for you to get close with your senators.
As
President I also get the honor to serve on the Board of Trustees as a voting member
to
empower the student voice to our university leadership. I encourage you stay updated
on
all things SGA through our Instagram which is uncp_sga, and if you want to come speak
with
our SGA student leadership, our office is located in the Chavis Student Center, Room
249.
Lastly, I want to encourage students to get out your comfort zone. Your here to get
your
degree, but you are also here for the Brave Experience. So get out those residence
hall
rooms and go live that BraveNation spirit because at UNCP we are: Every Student, Every
Voice, One BraveNation.
Go be awesome, and do great things!
Thank you! And GO BRAVES!
Elijah W. Griffin
SGA President
79th Administration
Preserving Our Legacy
The SGA archives provide links to our history, showcasing where we’ve been and guiding
where we’re going. From meeting minutes to leadership records, these documents preserve
the legacy of advocacy, leadership and progress at UNC Pembroke. Explore SGA’s governing
documents and leadership history.
This includes a comprehensive list, in reverse chronological order, of all Student
Body
Presidents, terms and institutional name at the time they served. The Student Government
Association was founded in 1947 on the campus of Pembroke State College for Indians.
