UNCP SGA Named Delegation of the Year in UNC System
UNC Pembroke's Student Government Association (SGA) has been named Delegation of the Year by the Association of Student Governments (ASG), recognizing the university's leadership, engagement and impact across the UNC System.
The honor was announced at the final ASG meeting of the academic year, held April 17 - 18 at Appalachian State University. It marks the third time in recent history that UNCP has earned the distinction, underscoring a sustained commitment to student advocacy and system-wide involvement.
In remarks from ASG leadership, UNCP's delegation was praised for its consistent presence, strong participation and ability to overcome challenges while maintaining near-perfect attendance throughout the year.
For outgoing SGA President John Squier, the recognition represents years of dedication.
“It is a testament to the hard work that we've put in throughout this past session,” Squire said. “It also commemorates more than two years of effort from our delegation. This is certainly one of my prouder achievements because of how much work it took to get here.”
Squier noted that UNCP's success was driven by a combination of strong attendance, active participation in ASG committees and initiatives that reflect the university's commitment to student success. Among those efforts is the recently launched Food for Fines program, which allows students to donate canned goods in exchange for the waiver of parking violations, benefiting the campus community.
UNCP's delegation was comprised of Squier, Grayson Wortman, Bryan Ramirez-Jackson, Sebastian Kalajdzhyan, José Ortiz-Rojas and Demilade Babarinde.
“This recognition speaks to how truly special our SGA student leaders have been this year,” said Dr. Kyle Smith, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and SGA advisor.
“They have shown what it means to represent UNC Pembroke with professionalism and purpose — engaging in meaningful dialogue, advocating for their peers and ensuring our students' voices are heard at the system level,” Smith said. “I am incredibly proud of their commitment and the example they set for student leadership across our campus and across the state.”
Beyond campus, UNCP's SGA has remained engaged at the state level, participating in Advocacy Day in Raleigh and working with legislators to support initiatives such as NC Promise, which expands access to affordable higher education.
“This recognition reflects that UNCP cares about system-wide issues and not just campus-specific ones,” Squire said. “It shows we are willing to represent our students at every level of shared governance.”
Incoming SGA President Elijah Griffin, who was sworn in recently, said the award reflects a strong foundation built over multiple administrations.
“Being recognized as Delegation of the Year has been two years in the making,” Griffin said. “It shows that even though we are a smaller institution, we carry a big impact and are serious about representing our student body.”
Griffin, a mass communication major, plans to build on that momentum by continuing to prioritize advocacy and student engagement.
“I believe in putting students in front of decision-makers,” Griffin said. “You can advocate for someone, but there's nothing more powerful than letting students share their own stories with administrators and leaders.”
He also emphasized the opportunities SGA provides for leadership development and involvement.
“SGA isn't just about meetings,” Griffin said. “It opens doors and gives students the chance to represent their university in meaningful ways. I encourage students to step out of their comfort zones — you might end up finding your passion.”
Griffin and Squier both agree that the recognition sends a clear message about the university's place within the UNC System.
“UNCP has always been here,” Griffin said. “We may be small, but we are mighty — and this shows what we can accomplish when we show up and lead.”