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, School 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 to make your voice 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 the current initiatives and goals of SGA and to create
avenues of outreach to understand student needs.
Meet Our SGA Members
The SGA consists of the executive branch and the legislative branch. The organization
holds elections each spring semester, following the guidelines outlined in its governing
documents, ensuring 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)
All 6 Freshman senator seats are vacant
Sophomore Senators (6 seats)
Ria Gautam
Leiana Locklear
Lily Martich
Dior Pene
Robbie Perry
Grayson Wortman
Junior Senators (6 seats)
Dustin Barnes
Emily Campbell-Tyler
Alisha "Elsa" Ghimire
Bethany Locklear
Ariana Oxendine
Bryan Ramirez-Jackson
Senior Senators (6 seats)
David Haltom
Sebastian Kalajdzhyan
Nate Rivera
Nely Rivera-Guerrero
Kenley Woodson
- Vacant -
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)
- Vacant -
School of Education Senator (1 seat)
- Vacant -
Graduate School Senator (1 seat)
Peter Adija
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.
