When you become a UNCP student, you’re automatically a member of the SGA, which functions through elected representatives. We operate under the sponsorship of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and follow guidelines outlined in its governing documents.
SGA operates as a presidential unicameral system with a structure that includes:
During the voting period, please review each candidate's platform on key student issues. Attend the candidate debate, learn about their goals and choose the leadership that aligns with your vision for UNCP.
Participating in SGA elections is simple and accessible. When voting opens, a link to the online ballot will be sent to your email. Make sure to make your voice heard by voting.
The SGA Spring Elections fill all officer seats for the upcoming year. Fall is your chance to step into a leadership role or vote for the candidates who best represent your interests.
Applications open in January and close in February, at which time the ballot is finalized. Campaigning begins soon after for one week and then voting begins. By the end of February, campaigning and voting ends, ballots are certified and the new SGA officers are announced.
The NACA® Student Government East Institute is a professional development program designed to enhance leadership in student government. Delegates gain skills in fostering university collaboration, building school spirit, managing leadership transitions and promoting diversity. They also explore strategies for outreach and leveraging technology to strengthen student government operations.
This summer opportunity is open to SGA members who plan to remain active in the upcoming academic year.
Did you know Senators can serve on Student Senate and Faculty Committees? These committees allow senators to directly impact topics they are passionate about while serving as the student body's voice. Learn more about our Student Senate Committees.
AA is responsible for acting as a liaison between SGA and university administration in academic initiatives, projects and developments; ensuring student needs are being met in academics; and reviewing and providing feedback for any academic resolutions, as determined by the presiding officer. AA will also take on any duties deemed necessary.
GO is responsible but not limited to facilitating the internal operations of the student government; enforcing, reviewing and amending internal documents and procedures; and ensuring that any bills presented to the senate are valid under the SGA documents. GO should also take any other duties deemed necessary.
The President and Vice President lead the executive branch and include the cabinet, which consists of the Chief of Staff, Treasurer, Secretary, committee heads and any additional positions deemed necessary. Executive officers are elected annually by a majority vote during student body elections and selected from the student body. The President and Vice President must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
The legislative branch consists of the Student Senate, a body of elected student senators. The Student Senate serves as the supreme legislative authority of the SGA. To learn about the election processes, check out our electoral code.
Freshman Senators (6 seats)
Sophomore Senators (6 seats)
Junior Senators (6 seats)
Senior Senators (6 seats)
College of Arts and Sciences Senators (3 seats)
College of Health Sciences Senators (2 seats)
School of Business Senator (1 seat)
School of Education Senator (1 seat)
Graduate School Senator (1 seat)
Greetings BraveNation,
I am John Squier, and it is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 2025-2026 Student Government Association (SGA) President. On behalf of Vice President, Demilade Babarinde, and the 78th session executive team and senate, I am beyond ecstatic to welcome you to UNC Pembroke. We are excited that you have chosen to be a part of the one-and-only BraveNation as you take your next step in this ever so important path of your journey in life.
First, I’d like to recognize the SGA’s support of UNCP acknowledgment, which reads “That the lands within and surrounding present-day Robeson County are the traditional homelands and gathering places of many Indigenous peoples — notably the Lumbee (LUM-bee).” SGA strives to ensure its policies and practices promote our shared responsibility “to safeguard these lands and to respect the sovereignty of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.”
University of North Carolina Pembroke was founded in 1887 with the goal of preparing American Indian students to educate other American Indians. We are proud of UNCP’s founding and its mission of education. UNCP has been recognized as one of the most diverse universities in the Southeast region. With a student population of nearly 8,000 students, UNCP continues to provide a distinctive personal experience, while cultivating knowledge and education through close relationships between students, faculty, staff and administration.
The Student Government Association “exists to champion the concerns and rights of the student body,” thus it is our goal to engage with the student body to ensure that your concerns are heard and properly addressed. You all can be a part of the change we make by coming to SGA’s weekly meetings every Wednesday at 5:15 PM in James A. Thomas Hall, room 130. Practically all of our advocacy can be seen through legislation, town halls, senate meetings, committee meetings and more. Furthermore, as your Student Body President, I have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees as a voting member to empower the student voice to our university leadership. I encourage you all to stay connected with SGA, as it is paramount for ensuring the strong connection between the student body and administration. Remember, a bridge is useless if nobody crosses it.
UNC Pembroke has over 100 recognized student organizations, a thriving fraternity and sorority life atmosphere, and 200 community partners. I strongly encourage you to make the most of your college experience by connecting with different organizations, departments and community partners that fit your interests. I highly recommend utilizing the free resources available to you on campus to assist you during your time in Pembroke. Some of these resources include the Writing Center, Tutoring Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Career Center, Brave Resource Center and much more. Always feel free to reach out to SGA if you need assistance identifying any of these resources or any other resource you may need to assist your success.
Lastly, my advice to all students: These next four years will be the most consequential four years of your life thus far; it really is what you make of it. Do not come to UNCP with a fixed mindset, because it will only keep you stagnant. Find your “why” and hone in on it, discover what you like to do and what you value, try new things and, most importantly, enjoy yourself.
Go Braves!
John T.B.O. Squier
The SGA archives provide links to our history, showcasing where we've been and guiding where we're going. From meeting minutes to leadership records, these documents preserve the legacy of advocacy, leadership and progress at UNC Pembroke. Explore SGA's governing documents and leadership history.
This includes a comprehensive list, in reverse chronological order, of all Student Body Presidents, terms and institutional name at the time they served. The Student Government Association was founded in 1947 on the campus of Pembroke State College for Indians.
The Student Government and all its constituents follow the Public Records Law of North Carolina, N.C. General Statutes Chapter 132.
If you have any questions, you may email SGA directly or contact SGA through the James B. Chavis Student Center:
Chavis Student Center 243
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
Phone: 910.521.6482
Fax: 910.521.6605
Email: sga@uncp.edu
