Usir Jackson and Jahmare Joyner elected to lead SGA

Front row, from left, are Claflin Dean of Students Arthur Doctor, current SGA President Kamila Wiley, Claflin President Dwuan Warmack and newly elected 2026-27 SGA President Usir Jackson. Back row, from left, are Ashari Barnes, 2026-27 chaplain, and De’Sharion Burnette, 2026-27 SGA secretary. (Panther photo by Korey McCaskill)

Claflin University students elected Usir Jackson as the 68^th Student Government Association president and Jahmare Joyner as vice president during the April 1 campus election.

The March 31 election took place March 31, with students voting for SGA executive board positions and class officers. The vote came after the candidates presented their platforms during a March 25 forum moderated by current SGA Vice President Myles-Anthony Johnson.

“My platform is about the marathon,” Jackson said. “The marathon represents just being a visionary.”

Jackson emphasized long-term leadership development and community outreach as central goals.

“I want to increase the volume of outlets towards issues, offer mentorship and outreach programs for the Orangeburg community and cultivate an environment where leadership starts as soon as students arrive,” he said.

Joyner focused on leadership under pressure and increasing student inclusion across campus.

“I believe being in an SGA position is a lot of pressure, and I am a great leader when it comes to working under pressure,” Joyner said.

Joyner also highlighted the need for more opportunities for student voices to be heard.

“I want to have more meetings than just town halls so students can come and voice their opinions,” he said.

The March 25 forum provided students with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates before the election. Candidates’ platforms centered on engagement, accessibility and campus involvement.

Vice presidential candidate La’Tresa Middleton emphasized student connection through her campaign theme.

“I want our students to engage with their student leaders, and we can do this by hosting hangouts and SGA luncheons,” Middleton said.

Presidential candidate Alexis Wilson focused on communication and accessibility to the student body.

“I want to be accessible to students, making sure that they know I am here for them,” Wilson said.

Wilson also proposed initiatives aimed at increasing transparency in leadership. “I want to introduce office hours so students can come talk to me.”

Presidential candidate JaNiyah Clark highlighted student involvement and action through her platform.

“I want students to come to activities or voice their opinions and take action on those ideas,” Clark said.

Clark also emphasized improving awareness of campus resources.

“I want to better communicate the resources available to organizations and businesses on campus,” she said.

In addition to Jackson and Joyner, the new SGA Executive Board includes Ashari Barnes as chaplain and De’Sharion Burnette as secretary.

The SGA serves as the governing body representing student interest and organizing campus initiatives at Claflin University. The newly elected administration is expected to implement campaign initiatives during the upcoming academic year.

Jahmare Joyner, vice presidential candidate, and newly elected SGA Vice President La’tresa Middleton at the March 25 candidate forum. (Panther photo by Korey McCaskill)