A Message from the President

Greetings BraveNation,

I am Magally Ortiz-Rojas, and it is my honor and joy to serve as your 2024-2025 Student Government Association (SGA) President. On behalf of the SGA, I am thrilled to welcome you to UNC Pembroke. We are excited that you have chosen to be a part of BraveNation as you take your next step in this significant part of your journey in life.

The SGA supports UNCP’s land acknowledgement, which reads “That the lands within and surrounding present-day Robeson County are the traditional homelands and gathering places of many Indigenous peoples-notably the Lumbee (LUM-bee)”. SGA strives to ensure its policies and practices promote our shared responsibility “to safeguard these lands and to respect the sovereignty of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.”

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke was founded in 1887 with the goal of preparing American Indian students to educate other American Indians. We are proud of UNCP’s founding and its mission to education. As the only historically minority serving institution in the UNC System, UNCP remains one of the most diverse universities in the Southeast region. With a student population of over 8,000 students, UNCP continues to provide a distinctive personal experience, while cultivating knowledge and education through close relationships between students, faculty, staff, and administration.

The Student Government Association “exists to champion the concerns and rights of the student body,” thus it is our goal to connect with students and ensure that your concerns are heard and properly addressed. You all can be a part of the change we make by coming to SGA’s weekly meetings every Wednesday at 5:15 PM in James Thomas Hall Room 130. Much of our advocacy can be seen through legislation, town halls, senate meetings, committee meetings, and more. Furthermore, as your Student Body President, I have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustee as a voting member to elevate student voices to our university leadership. I encourage you all to stay connected with SGA. 

UNC Pembroke has over 100 recognized student organizations, a thriving fraternity and sorority life atmosphere, and 200 community partners. I strongly encourage you to make the most of your college experience by connecting with different organizations, departments, and community partners that fit your interests. I highly recommend utilizing the free resources available to you on campus to assist you during your time in Pembroke. Some of these resources include the Writing Center, Tutoring Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, the Career Center, the Brave Resource Center, and much more. Always feel free to reach out to SGA if you need assistance identifying any of these resources or any other resource you may need to assist your success. 

My advice to all students: These four years go by quicker than you think. Take leaps of faith and chances while here at UNCP. Apply to that internship or job opportunity. Join that club or organization. Lean on administrators, faculty, and your peers for support. Find your passions and pursue them! Remember, your college experience is what you make of it. Embrace the community, get involved, and make lasting memories.

Go Braves! 

Magally Ortiz-Rojas