Leadership Highlight: Tulane University Student Government President Anthony Priester

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Tulane University and did an interview with Anthony Priester, the 2024-2025 Student Government Association president.

The position of SGA president is a highly respected role, and there is a special pride in being elected by peers to lead. Anthony Priester, who is majoring in International Relations & Anthropology, is from The Bronx, New York and is a proud Fall 2024 initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha.

We interviewed Anthony Priester and talked to him about his position, goals, future, and what it means to hold this type of leadership position in 2024-2025.

Read the full interview below.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned as an SGA president so far?

One of the most important things I’ve learned is proper delegation. Tulane has a unique take on student governance; our positions of president and vice president have been changed to be known as “Co-Chairs.” Tulane’s student government has had a history of racism and discrimination, and the goal of these language changes were to initiate a culture of balanced representation. Because of this, our approach to representation has been adequately modified to support an anti-racist system of governance. This has led me to understanding what it really means to have a voice for the student body, and to reach out and give back based on what I’ve been told, not what I want to hear.

What made you decide to attend Tulane University for undergrad?

During COVID, I had the opportunity to tour Tulane. It was one of the only schools that continued to have in-person courses during the pandemic, and because of this, it was one of few schools that I was able to visit before making my final decision. Tulane had, and continues to have, a culture of happiness- COVID was one of the unhappiest times of my life, but somehow all the Tulane students on my tour just kept smiling. I figured, I need to be at a place that would keep me smiling. Along with this, Tulane has one of the highest rates of students engaging in community service, which was an important factor for me.

How has Tulane University molded you into the person you are today?

I believe that my experiences at Tulane have wholeheartedly molded me into the person I am today, however, I think it’s less about the university itself and more about the community I’ve kept around me. I want to believe that I’ve changed for the better: I’ve learned ways to deal with stress, rejection, and sadness, all while being educated, exposed to different backgrounds & walks of life, and having fun.

What specific initiatives have you headed up this year (or are planning), and how do you think they will improve the school and surrounding community?

For this year specifically, I’ve been in the planning phase of continuing/expanding a New Orleans Student Government Coalition. This project would include the student governments of surrounding universities like Xavier University of Louisiana, Dillard, Loyola New Orleans, etc. to build connections with those involved. I believe that it would help all of our student governments get involved with the Greater New Orleans Area, exposing us to new ideas and potential events, as well as being a great networking opportunity. Secondly, my co-chair and I are moving to do an archival project, so that the history of Tulane’s student governance system is more widely known. We want to ensure that the racist, discriminatory past of Tulane’s student government is part of our Assembly’s education, to never relive the past. Lastly, my co-chair and I are working to see if we can digitize our student IDs and what that might look like. Many students have complained about not having their IDs on Apple Wallet or other digital platforms, so we’re listening to their voices and working to start the transition process.

How is your SGA administration/school currently working on attending to the mental health of students?

Our student government has a large focus on mental health. We don’t have strenuous task lists that can get out of hand, and we make it clear that taking mental health days for oneself should be a priority. Our University’s administration has also implemented a 24/7 Telehealth program specifically for mental health.

What does leadership mean to you?

To me, leadership means advocacy and empathy. Both of these concepts require active listening and receiving feedback from those you lead. When you mesh empathy and advocacy, it gives you a recipe for results- which is what people want to see above all. I also believe that communication is a huge factor of leadership. No one will understand your leadership if it isn’t communicated, because every action isn’t always visible. Lastly, it requires team-building, as you can’t lead a team if there’s no team to lead. Understanding how your team works and operates is essential for being a good leader, because your team is essential for progress.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think schools need to do to represent themselves online in 2025?

In a digital world, it is imperative that student government’s and universities have great PR teams. Our Assembly has an amazing communications committee that runs our social media pages and puts out incredible weekly content. You need an understanding of the current trends, and an understanding of how to advocate for your community online because sometimes that can be the most efficient way to get things done. Ultimately, I would say the most important thing when it comes to an online presence is consistency. Staying consistent in content and representation will work wonders.

Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black students and college culture?

Watch The Yard is so important to Black students and college culture because it represents scarcity. It is so rare to see a news hub centralize themselves on Black success rather than Black trauma. We need more pages like Watch The Yard to continue to uplift our community, and Watch The Yard exemplifies this standard incredibly well.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation, I have a couple options. My biggest opportunity has been Teach for America, in which I have been selected to teach secondary social studies at a public school in Houston. This, to me, is such an exciting way to give back to the community through something that I love: education. Alongside this, I plan to continue my journey in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and join a graduate chapter wherever I end up.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Anthony Priester for his work as the SGA president of Tulane University.

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