Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, Halle Berry, Brad Pitt, and Oprah Winfrey — what do they all have in common? All internationally famous individuals have made a difference in their chosen professions. They have championed causes, introduced legislation, passed laws, and led people to the greater good. Each was also involved in student government as high school and college students.
Participating in student government provides individuals with many growth opportunities. You can advocate for your student body and pursue causes you’re passionate about. You can learn from others and develop skills to help you during your academic career and future profession.
Locally, the Motlow Student Government Association (SGA) is offering its students that same opportunity for growth. Representing the student body at events on Motlow’s campuses, the SGA is involved in planning and executing events on every campus, from Weeks of Welcome to Finals Week celebrations. The college’s website encourages all students to attend SGA meetings and voice their concerns or ideas.
“SGA is crucial,” said Yaritza Gotay, dean of students, student success division. “Not only are they the voice of the students in committees and during meetings where they are allowed to share their opinions and the student body’s opinion, but also in creating events of connectedness. Especially after the pandemic, I think many students are coming in from high schools and may have been accustomed to being in the house and on the computer. Bringing that sense of connection of having the support of peers around can brighten a student’s life.”
Savannah Gill and Jackson Wheeler are two students making a difference through the college’s SGA.
Gill is a current SGA senator and next year’s SGA vice president for the college’s Fayetteville campus. A Fayetteville City High School graduate, Gill is no stranger to student government.
“I have always been involved,” she explained. “Throughout high school, especially senior year, I held four to five managerial positions in the different clubs and activities we had throughout the school. I knew involvement in such things provided additional opportunities than just attending school.”
Currently involved in both SGA and Motlow’s honors society, she said she has enjoyed interacting with peers and making connections.
“We had SGA boot camp at the beginning of this year,” said Gill. “They gave us a rundown of what SGA does and what your positions can do for students. We were able to be in the same room, asking questions, bouncing off ideas of each other, and making connections with each other.”
Pursuing a degree in marketing, Gill said she hopes her involvement with SGA will help move her through her collegiate and professional career.
“I hope I will be able to make connections because each can help move me along in a career and life,” she said.
She also hopes to bring what she gained from SGA back to her hometown of Fayetteville. Gill said young people in the community are essential to its future.
“I’m a small-town girl, so I plan to come home once I finish school,” explained Gill. “Young people in small communities are important because our voice needs to be heard. We are the future of these communities, and we want to be a part of the discussions, decisions, and planning of our communities. And we need to take the initiative to be involved because the more involvement you have, the more people will listen. We have to be the change we want to see.”
Jackson Wheeler is the SGA vice president for Moore County. An athlete in high school, Wheeler said his interest in SGA peaked after seeing a need to bring students together after returning to a post-COVID campus.
“I knew SGA boosted student morale and gave them opportunities to engage with each other,” he explained. “When I arrived in the fall of 2021, the campus seemed quiet. There weren’t a lot of students on campus due to COVID restrictions. With things lifting, we wanted to create opportunities for students to return to campus. Since then, we’ve been focused on hosting campus events.”
