Leadership Highlight: The Ohio State University’s SGA President Andrew Pierce II

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to The Ohio State University and did an interview with Andrew Pierce II the 2022-2023 Student Government Association president.

The position of SGA president is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes in being elected by their peers to lead. Pierce, who is majoring in Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration, is from Columbus, Ohio.

We interviewed Andrew Pierce II, and talked to him about his position, goals, future and what it means to hold this type of leadership position in 2022-2023.

Read the full interview below.

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

The biggest thing I’ve learned as an SGA president is the importance of relationships. Someone may have a really good idea but without the right team or stakeholders, nothing gets done. As President of Undergraduate Student, I have learned how to lead impactful, relationship-oriented teams with a common goal in mind.

What made you decide to attend The Ohio State University for undergrad?

I was born and raised in Ohio, so I was always around Ohio State. My great-grandparents were custodians at the University and my parents met here as well. However, I started to consider going when I discovered that they offered an undergraduate public policy program. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is one of the only universities to offer public policy majors to undergrads, so I jumped at the opportunity. With the Glenn College, I’ve been able to have multiple internships in Washington D.C, engage in research on criminal justice reform, and even pursue a combined B.S in Public Policy and a Master’s in Public Administration. Ohio State has been a great experience for me!

How has The Ohio State University molded you into the person you are today?

Ohio State has always been home for me, and the lessons I learned at Ohio State have encouraged me to be bold and curious when making a difference. The school’s motto is Education for Citizenship, and I believe that Ohio State has taught me how to use my education to make an impact in people’s lives. For example, my sophomore year was pivotal. During the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, my college was tasked by the City of Columbus of reviewing the causes of the protests and charting recommendations for change. I was able to join that research and dive deeper into constitutional protections, public safety, and criminal justice policy.

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?

Our administration is centered on four key pillars, Engagement, Affordability, Safety, and Equity. From these pillars, we have multiple initiatives that seek to exemplify our values. Two of the major items are creating a Research Team and Campus to Airport Shuttle. The idea for the Research Team is to have a dedicated team to gather quantitative and qualitative data on student concerns. This way, data-driven advocacy can inform how student government pursues change on campus and make it easier to generate buy-in from stakeholders. The Campus to Airport Shuttle seeks to create a quick commute from Ohio State to John Glenn International Airport. With this option, students won’t have to take multiple bus transfers or spend money on Ubers and Lyfts to get to the airport.

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

We are taking a multi-pronged approach toward mental health on campus. To address immediate concerns, we have donated $10,000 to a Mental Health Emergency Fund. This fund is administered through the Student Advocacy Center and provides direct aid to students who may need transportation to counselors, aid for covering resources, etc. Pivoting towards advocacy, we have representatives on the Commission for Mental Health that advises the University on mental health resources and policies. Finally, we are advocating for increased religious accommodations and breaks so students from all backgrounds have the time and space to rejuvenate and decompress.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership means bringing people together to accomplish a goal. Different people do that in different ways, but I am learning that my leadership style is centered on creating coalitions and directing a group toward collective action. The best leaders are those who care for and generate the most impact from their teams. I have learned that leadership is not about doing all the work; rather, leadership is setting an example and inspiring a team of people to create change.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think schools need to do to represent themselves online in 2022/2023?

I think schools need to be proactive and interactive in their online presence. Rather than just hosting open houses and online forums, universities could collaborate with influencers in their local community to showcase their campuses and environment. This could be done through social media by allowing students to run those accounts and stay informed on the latest trends. Universities have been creative and authentic online because that is what draws prospective students. As students, we are attracted to places with a great culture and positive atmosphere. The better schools can showcase those experiences, the better their online presence can be.

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

Watch The Yard is important because it showcases Black joy! I love going on TikTok and seeing videos of Black people living, thriving, and just having fun. On a PWI, it’s refreshing to see HBCUs and other Black communities thriving. I love to see positive examples of Black college students living life and bringing joy to their campuses. My friends and I get hyped when we see OSU featured or one of the chapters we know gets tagged on the page.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

I plan on taking a gap year or two before going to law school. Spending the summer as an Education Policy Intern in the Executive Office of the President (EOP) opened my eyes toward federal advocacy and education policy. So, I plan to continue my D.C. journey by joining the Department of Justice for criminal justice policy or the EOP for education policy. That said, I am currently applying for D.C. fellowships, but also considering non-profit work advocating for children and education. In law school, I want to focus on constitutional or civil rights law to hopefully pursue a career in policy and advocacy.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Andrew Pierce II for his work as the SGA president of The Ohio State University.

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