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When Elijah Griffin arrived at 91视频 Pembroke as a freshman, he wasn鈥檛 exactly sure what his college experience would look like. He knew he wanted to study broadcasting and eventually pursue a career in political commentary. He also knew he wanted to get involved.

He did just that.

Four years later, Griffin has become a familiar face across campus through student government, orientation, campus leadership roles and the Spirit of the Carolinas Marching Band. Now a senior, he is taking on one of 91视频P鈥檚 highest student leadership roles as president of the Student Government Association.

A native of Oxford, North Carolina, Griffin is majoring in mass communication with a concentration in broadcasting while pursuing minors in business administration and political science. He also serves as the student representative and ex officio member of the 91视频P Board of Trustees.

鈥淲hen I arrived here as a freshman, I excelled. I got involved. The rest is history,鈥� Griffin said.

That involvement began during his first year when he joined the marching band and SGA. Since then, he has served as a peer academic leader, an orientation leader for three years and a member of the Student Conduct Board. He has also served as associate vice president for external affairs in the 91视频 Association of Student Governments and held positions with the university鈥檚 Department of Information Technology (DoIT) and Hawks Nest.

Griffin credits his upbringing for helping shape his approach to leadership. Growing up in a family and church community where he was given leadership responsibilities, he learned early that leadership was about more than holding a title.

鈥淟eadership runs in my family,鈥� Griffin said. 鈥淭hey were also servant leaders, so I wanted to make sure I embodied what it meant to be a servant leader.鈥�

That philosophy is central to his approach as SGA president. Working alongside SGA Vice President LaNiya Harris, a senior from Savannah, Georgia, Griffin wants his administration to strengthen communication between students and university leadership and create more opportunities for students to engage in campus life.

Their campaign theme, 鈥淓very Student, Every Voice 鈥� One BraveNation,鈥� reflects that goal.

鈥淕etting students in front of the administrators and letting them tell their story, their experience,鈥� Griffin said. 鈥淚t is all about forging relationships and building connections.鈥�

One of Griffin鈥檚 primary initiatives is student wellness, particularly mental health. He hopes to identify spaces across campus where students can take a break, decompress and have access to a quiet environment without having to return to their residence halls between classes.

He also wants to increase student engagement by creating affordable campus events that reflect students鈥� interests and provide opportunities to build relationships.

鈥淪tudents are here for education, but they are also here for the college experience,鈥� he said.

Making student organizations more accessible is another priority. Griffin wants students to understand the value of getting involved while ensuring a broader range of organizations and student perspectives are represented.

鈥淥ne of our pillars is collaboration,鈥� Griffin said. 鈥淓specially with groups and student groups that are not represented well on campus.鈥�

For Griffin, involvement has been a defining part of his 91视频P experience, and he encourages other students to find ways to connect while keeping academics at the center.

鈥淚f I could leave the student body with one message: Get involved,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tay on top of your studies, but get involved. College is about what you make it.鈥�

He encourages students not to wait until their senior year to participate.

Todd Allen, director of New Student 91视频, has worked with Griffin for the past three years through his role as an orientation leader. Allen said Griffin鈥檚 energy, compassion and commitment to serving others have made him a natural leader.

鈥淓lijah is outgoing, witty, and brings positive energy to every interaction,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淓lijah has a genuine passion for serving others and leads with enthusiasm and compassion.鈥�

Allen said he expects Griffin to keep students鈥� interests at the forefront of his administration.

鈥淚 know he will focus on what is best for all students and advocate for initiatives that make 91视频P an even better place,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淚 look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have as SGA president.鈥�

Griffin鈥檚 vision for student government is also rooted in the culture that first attracted him to 91视频P.

鈥淗ere at 91视频P, we do it our own way,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have a rich culture at 91视频P. We don鈥檛 forget about our roots. We incorporate it in everything.鈥�

Griffin hopes to help more students discover the sense of community that he found when he arrived at 91视频P.

鈥淚 knew I was destined to do something great,鈥� Griffin said of his freshman year. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure what it was.鈥�

Now, he has a clearer idea of where that path may lead. After graduation, Griffin hopes to work as a field reporter for a television news station and eventually pursue a career in politics. For now, his focus is on representing BraveNation's students.

鈥淒on鈥檛 wait,鈥� Griffin said. 鈥淕et involved. Start a club. Do something meaningful. Live your full college experience.鈥�