Hope Campbell served as this year’s President of the Student Government Association and is a senior majoring in psychology. Campbell shared insight into her college journey while emphasizing the importance of getting involved in campus organizations. Beginning just three days after graduating high school, she started her college path earlier than the average freshman. During a six-week Ascend Rise program while staying at Whitney, Campbell quickly adjusted to the campus atmosphere and built early connections.

“I started my college experience just a few days after graduating high school, which allowed me to gain six credits and to have already met 200 plus people because of my cohort, along with a set of advisors,” said Campbell. “So, when knowing what clubs were on campus, I immediately created further connections with one of my first administrators and the Dean. But I would say I really started my involvement freshman year, from clubs to different organizations.”

She further shared the encouragement she received from her peers to run for public relations for SGA, marking the beginning of her leadership journey within the organization. Initially hesitant, Campbell explained that the support from those around her pushed her to step outside of her comfort zone and take on a role that would ultimately shape her college experience.

“I didn’t really know if I could find that balance, since I was already involved in so many things, yet I really have a passion for advocating for the community and my peers. I had already had experience with being a CA,” Campbell said.

Building off that experience, Hope continued to further expand her leadership roles and skills within SGA.

“So running for that position gave me the opportunity to be a spokesperson, along with further maintaining my sense of balance. I held that position for two years and was initially skeptical about running for President. I almost didn’t run, but I am most certainly glad I did, as it serves as a jump start for what I am passionate about,” Campbell said.

Campbell also highlighted her passion for advocating for students of color, noting how a racial incident during her freshman year in Holly Pointe and her involvement in the NAACP strengthened her commitment to advocacy. As a mixed African American student, she reflected on her experiences with identity and microaggressions growing up.

“Teachers would constantly say, ‘let me touch your hair,’ and I was only probably one out of three black students in the entire school. One teacher in particular would always make me feel uncomfortable, even going as far as to say I would never graduate college—and I was in the third grade,” said Campbell. “I’ve faced microaggressions my whole life, even now. You can’t help your identity. I just feel like every student should feel heard and welcomed.” 

While emphasizing her dedication to advocating for black and brown communities, Campbell continued to build her presence within SGA, eventually taking on greater responsibilities that led to her presidency. Throughout her leadership, she prioritized representation, transparency, and creating spaces where students feel empowered to speak up.

As president, Campbell focused on fostering inclusivity and strengthening communication between students and administration. She highlighted how crucial it is for students feeling supported both academically and socially during their time at Rowan. Looking back on her journey, Campbell encourages incoming and current students to take advantage of opportunities on campus, even if they may seem intimidating at first.

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