Leadership Highlight: Lincoln University of PA’s SGA President Hashone Carry Jr.

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Lincoln University of PA and did an interview with Hashone Carry Jr. the 2023-2024 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. Carry, who is majoring in Political Science with an International Relations Minor, is from Pittsburgh, PA.

We interviewed Hashone Carry Jr., and talked to him about his position, goals, future and what it means to hold this type of leadership position in 2023-2024.

Read the full interview below.

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

As SGA President, I have learned the importance of fostering a productive work environment for your team. No matter how skilled, qualified, or experienced your team is, if you cannot maintain a work environment that produces creativity and allows all team members to work effectively, communicate efficiently, collaborate, and be motivated to work, then you will not reach your team’s fullest potential.

What made you decide to attend Lincoln University of PA for undergrad?

I honestly believe that my university chose me. My Lincoln legacy started after I met two Lincoln Alumni a week before the official Fall 2021 move-in day. Prior to meeting them, I honestly did not know LUPA existed. With no set plans to go to college and after heavily considering the military, I took a chance at applying for Lincoln AFTER the Fall 2021 application deadline. All glory to god, I was accepted into Lincoln with less than a week remaining in the summer. I made an impulsive decision to move across the state with 2 days notice, with the complete understanding that I would receive absolutely 0 financial aid or emergency funds to support my tuition. With plans to maximize my blessing, I worked hard during my first semester on campus and achieved a 4.0 GPA, which qualified me for my first two scholarships. Afterwards, I adopted the mindset to take advantage of every opportunity I could. The rest is history.

How has Lincoln University of PA molded you into the person you are today?

Lincoln University of PA has molded me into the person I am today by teaching me the importance of building a strong foundation, a community and/or family outside of your traditional family. When you are far from home, you need a support system that will help you grow and hold you accountable. Lincoln University of PA’s family-oriented culture has strengthened my character by opening my eyes up to the possibilities that exist when you empower others in an environment of reciprocity. All people involved exponentially develop for the better, which enriches the environment in every aspect – physically, mentally, spiritually, professionally, and so on.

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?

I am proud to share that my SGA Administration, the Change Administration, has been very productive in terms of accomplishing our initiatives. Among many initiatives, here are a few notable ones that I’d like to highlight:

1. I successfully implemented an unprecedented Online Donations Campaign that has contributed to over a million dollars in community donations for the 2023-2024 academic school year. Please donate to support the nation’s first-degree-granting HBCU, Lincoln University of PA: https://giving.lincoln.edu/pages/1854Promise Assisted in rebranding the university’s online social media presence by advocating for more student and Alumni success spotlights, which helped increase community engagement and student enrollment (ongoing)

2. Created a mentorship program that hosted weekly educational events for students

3. Organized a professional networking dinner with students and professionals from various industries, which fostered an environment that provided scholarships, internships, job opportunities, and connections with an attendance of 120+ people in partnership with Longwood Gardens, PA.

4. Advocated for more institutional funding and resources via an interview at the PA Governor’s residence + spoke at a Press Conference in Harrisburg pertaining to the HB 1461 in support of the LUPA Freedom 14’s efforts #March2Harrisburg (Resulted in an increase in HBCU State Funding in PA)

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

My SGA administration/school is currently working on attending to the mental health of students in a variety of ways. In collaboration with our university, here are a few initiatives we have accomplished:

1. Promoted our Timely Care partnership, a virtual mental health app that grants students access to 24/7 mental health support.

2. In collaboration with our university’s counseling services, we created a promotional video to bring awareness to the therapists and on-campus mental health resources that are available to students.

3. We hosted a Mental Health town hall for the student body that shared information about effective coping techniques and practices to maintain a healthy mental space headed into Finals week

4. Weekly Mental Health Mondays + ratified a policy that allows students to choose their own personal mental health day out of the semester where they are granted an excusal to tend to their mental health and more

What does leadership mean to you?

To me, leadership is the ability to empower, teach, guide, and embody an ideal example for others to follow. Leadership is a lifestyle that a person commits to that is reinforced with the intention to bring about a positive change for a person, place, thing, movement, or cause.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think schools need to do to represent themselves online in 2023/2024?

Because we now live in a digital world, I think all schools need to invest in media street teams to accompany all of the most influential aspects of their school community (Academic Events/Student life, SGA, Athletics, Administration Service, etc.). Resultantly, the school will highlight the positive work that is being done and encourage enrollment into their school.

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

Watch The Yard is important to Black students and college culture because it provides an inclusive platform catered to highlighting and accurately representing successful Black students and student-led organizations at HBCUs, thus enriching college culture by increasing connectivity amongst black college students nationwide.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to attend a nationally ranked Law School and enroll in a dual program that allows me to study to get my Juris Doctorate in international law as well as my master’s in political science. Afterward, I want to enroll into a prestigious foreign services pipeline program to immerse myself in work related to my dream career, which is to work as an International Diplomat and eventually become an appointed Ambassador. I am passionate about travel and committed to making a difference to bring about World Peace.

Throughout my career, I plan to continue to expand my freelance videography/photography business, Shot By HASH, and document my travel experiences across the globe. By using my platform, I hope to bring education and awareness to important issues related to world affairs, foreign cultures, 3rd world country living conditions, global advocacy, and highlight underrepresented people.

Lastly, I plan to be a role model/mentor for the youth and people seeking direction. I plan to fulfill my dream of being a philanthropist, humanitarian, and community activist by giving back to the communities I serve by paying the wisdom and resources forward.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Hashone Carry Jr. for his work as the SGA president of Lincoln University of PA.

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