Jakariah Wilson, a junior political science major from Ocala, Florida, was elected incoming SGA President for the 2026-2027 academic school year. reflecting both the trust of her peers and her commitment to effective student leadership. Wilson, who aspires to be a family law attorney and certified court mediator, spoke with the VOICE recently on the outcome of the election and her plans for next school year.
What was the main reason you decided to run for President/Vice President?
The main reason I decided to run was my deep love and commitment to Bethune-Cookman University and the students who make up our community. Serving in leadership roles on campus has shown me the importance of having student leaders who are accessible, responsive, and dedicated to advocating for the needs of the student body. I wanted to step into this role to continue serving students while helping create positive and lasting improvements across campus
What are three specific goals your administration hopes to accomplish during your term?
Three specific goals our administration hopes to accomplish are strengthening communication between students and the university administration, increasing student engagement through more consistent campus programming and events, and advocating for initiatives that support students academically, socially, and professionally. We want to ensure that students feel heard, supported, and proud to be part of the Wildcat community.
How will your platform benefit the different student groups across campus?
Our platform focuses on inclusion and accessibility. We want to ensure that every organization and student group feels supported and represented. This means working closely with student leaders, providing more opportunities for collaboration between organizations, and ensuring that resources and opportunities are communicated effectively across campus. Our goal is to create an environment where all students feel they have a voice and a place to thrive.
During your campaign, you mentioned promoting campus unity and bringing back more events to increase student involvement. What specific events or initiatives do you plan to introduce?
Our administration plans to reintroduce and expand student-centered events that encourage engagement and school spirit. This includes campus forums where students can openly discuss concerns, collaborative events between student organizations, and more social and cultural programming that allows students to connect outside of the classroom. We also want to host initiatives that highlight student achievements and promote leadership development.
What qualities do you believe made you the strongest candidate for these positions?
I believe my leadership experience, commitment to service, and willingness to listen to students helped set me apart. Serving as Chief Justice has given me valuable experience in leadership, fairness, and accountability. I also pride myself on being approachable and dedicated to ensuring that every student feels heard and represented.
During your campaign, you stated, “This is more than a campaign. This is a movement.” What did you mean by that?
When I said that this was more than a campaign, I meant that our goal was not simply to win an election but to inspire a renewed sense of involvement and unity among students. We wanted students to feel motivated to take an active role in shaping their campus experience. This movement represents collaboration, engagement, and a shared vision for strengthening the Wildcat community.
What previous leadership roles or experiences helped prepare you for this position?
Serving as Chief Justice of the SGA Judicial Board has helped me develop leadership, communication, and decision-making skills that are essential for this role. Additionally, my involvement in campus organizations and community service has allowed me to work closely with students from different backgrounds and understand their perspectives. These experiences have helped prepare me to represent and advocate for the student body effectively.
How do you plan to advocate for students with the university administration while following through on the promises you made during your campaign?
Advocating for students requires open communication, transparency, and consistency. I plan to maintain regular dialogue with university administrators while also keeping students informed about the progress being made. By actively listening to student concerns and bringing those concerns to the appropriate leadership, our administration will work to ensure that student voices remain at the center of decision-making
