Leadership Highlight: Rider University’s SGA President Naa’san Carr

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Rider University and did an interview with Naa’san Carr 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. Carr, who is majoring in Political Science, is from Williamstown, New Jersey.

We interviewed Naa’san Carr, 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 the first Black SGA President at Rider University, I have learned when you focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, you see each other and you hear each other. Justice prevails. To utilize the strengths and weaknesses of others to elevate the student experience. I have also learned how to effectively work with administrators, to be an ambassador of change for the student body. This role has shown me how to advocate for all forms of identity, such as age, country of origin, (dis)abilities, economic background, education level, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political views, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status, among others. Being aware of yourself, accepting the power you have as a student leader, and having a love for the people will amplify your vision, and broaden your opportunities.

What made you decide to attend Rider University for undergrad?

Being the first man in my family to graduate high school with a dream of becoming the President of the United States, college was the only choice for me. The decision to choose my dream college during a time in a nation where I protested for social justice all summer following the killing of George Floyd was difficult. As a Black man, I needed to be close enough to my family while having the freedom to thrive. Rider University’s vision, mission, promise, and diverse alumni attracted me. I saw an opportunity to leave a legacy through leadership and advocacy.

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

Rider University has opened up many doors of opportunities for me to thrive within many student-led organizations and beyond. The university offers robust academic programs, career coaching, personal support, and hands-on experiences. It gives students the freedom to pursue their passions. Not only does Rider provide you with a degree, but the tools to lift barriers, the opportunity to apply your gained knowledge in real-time, and the confidence to excel beyond the classroom. Through the Student Government Association (SGA) alone I have been involved on every level of the structure. Beginning as a Member at Large in 2020-2021, I was elevated to a Senator in 2021-2022 and served on the cabinet level as the Equity and Inclusion Committee Chair where I was able to sponsor 25 dollar gift cards to thirty children on behalf of their incarcerated parents through the Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program, raised over $300 for the health and safety of children in Ukraine to the UNICEF’s War in Ukraine fundraiser; and created the inaugural “RIDER WOMXN OF POWER: Marking a Milestone; Continuing the Momentum” Dinner and Discussion in celebration of International Women’s Day. During this year, I created BLACK LOVE ~ INSPIRING BLACK CULTURE, hosting the first and only radio talk show at Rider University’s 107.7 The Bronc FM with content solely of Black culture. In 2022-2023 I served as one of six Vice Presidents on SGA’s Executive Board as the Vice President of Class Connections (VPCC). Overseeing the Class Connections Division which seeks to promote intra-class unity to foster the overall student experience. Through the faith of my peers and the encouragement of Administration, faculty, and staff I became the 2023-2024 SGA President with the most diverse Executive Board. As the Student Body President I advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; as well as cultivate a sense of belonging. My Rider resume is full of serving underrepresented and marginalized communities through leadership roles in Identity-based clubs such as Black Student Union (BSU), Black Men Unified (BMU), Rider African Student Association (RASA) and Haitian Student Association (HSA), creating a more diverse sound as Program Director at Award-winning College Radio Station; 107.7 The Bronc FM from 2021-2023 and countless efforts as a student worker at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) uplifting faith and celebrating cultures since 2021. These experiences have molded my student experience and transformed me into a person who further inspires and represents our diverse Community. This led to my first internship in the Summer of 2023, as a Democracy Fellow Intern for the New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition (NJBEC). This internship experience provided the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects and collaborate closely with dedicated staff. My role involved conducting research, assisting with policy analysis, supporting community outreach initiatives, and contributing to communications efforts. While valuing different ideas and perspectives to honor the mission of promoting racial justice policy, democracy, and civic participation. Lastly, for two consecutive years as a student leader attended the Bryant Leadership Group’s African American Student Leadership Experience (AASLE) hosted in Baltimore, Maryland. Moreover, Rider teaches its students there are endless possibilities. Rider Broncs truly never ride alone, that’s the Cranberry Investment.

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?

As SGA President, I have spearheaded key initiatives that include but are not limited to providing the opportunity to see and connect themselves with positive representation in higher student leadership, continuing infrastructure improvements to our Rider campus, chartering a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) College Chapter to create resource guides of local Cultural shops for Black/African Americans, Chicanx/Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and Multi-Ethnic communities and the Period Poverty campaign. My vision for Rider University’s Student Body has been to build upon justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to strengthen excellence together as a community. Thus far our student leadership has increasingly grown more diverse since my inauguration, and the big infrastructure projects have been selected to undergo Summer 2024. After four months of leading the charting for a NAACP College Chapter, on February 7, 2024, the Rider University NAACP College Chapter was officially chartered with 25 members in good standing to join over 500 youth and college members. Under my leadership as Rider’s NAACP President, having a vessel of our nation’s oldest and boldest civil rights organization on Rider’s campus will further achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion for Black students and all other people of color. All these initiatives encourage the surrounding community of Mercer and Trenton to host at Rider University.

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

The SGA Administration has been providing more awareness of mental health initiatives hosted by our Counseling Center. As it has been for many years, student mental and emotional well-being is a top concern for SGA. Over the last year, the Zen Den has been a hub for relaxation for Broncs to restore and rejuvenate. The “Rider Cares” Resource Posters installed in all bathrooms, provide the campus community with updated mental and emotional health resources, including the newly created 988 Suicide Hotline. Informing the community about local and on-campus resources is just one step in providing accessible, equitable healthcare. In addition to those advancements, the SGA Executive Board has incorporated mindfulness into weekly Senate meetings. The mission of the Rider University Counseling Center is to provide services of a developmental, remedial, and preventive nature. These services focus on enhancing skills that students already possess while encouraging the development of new ones that will help students achieve success at Rider University and beyond. Students have access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7), CONTACT Mercer, Crisis Text Line, LGBTQ Hotline 855.654.6735, Womenspace, Trans Lifeline, Vets4Warriors, and Veterans Crisis Line. The Counseling Center’s outreach events include but are not limited to pet therapy, massage therapy, Stomp Out Stigma, and Denim Day (to raise awareness related to sexual assault). Rider offers many types of on-campus, online, and community resources such as BIPOC Resources, POC Reading, Therapy Resources for POC, Mental Health Podcasts by Black Therapists and Therapists of Color, Black Mental Health Organizations, and LGBTQIA Resources. SGA’s Administration supports Rider University’s counseling Centers as they strive to provide services in an atmosphere that is welcoming and comfortable for all students.

What does leadership mean to you?

My mantra for leadership is to “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America.” which was a charge by John Lewis made on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on March 1, 2020 commemorating the tragic events of Bloody Sunday. Leadership is about taking a series of bold movements of faith to achieve initiatives. It’s not a position, it’s action. It is not about the titles you have, it is about what you do with the titles. Utilize all resources to be a champion for change by any means necessary.

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

In our digital world, schools need to combine and bridge the gap between the traditional ways with the current digitalized and ever-changing ways. I believe this should be accomplished by knowing the participatory culture which refers to the people’s interest in communicating, producing, and circulating ideas. Effectively connect with current students, alumni, prospective students, and donors by always highlighting the versatility of campus life. Social media influences our daily lives by the way we interact and is now the gateway to communicating with schools. In addition, schools should offer more variety of 24/7 online resources to their students.

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 highlights the diverse and unique accomplishments of Black students nationally. Keeping Black students connected no matter where we go, we can appreciate meeting someone from our institutions and organizations. The content that is posted embodies Black pride and the appreciation for the past, present, and future of Black students. Watch The Yard displays the relevance of HBCUs and the Divine Nine Organizations to our cultural development.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to continue advocacy work with the NAACP and later attend an HBCU for my Master’s degree in Social Work or Sociology.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Naa’san Carr for his work as the SGA president of Rider University.

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