Leadership Highlight: University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Student Government President Keith Ceruti 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 University of Maryland Eastern Shore and did an interview with Keith Ceruti II, 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. Keith Ceruti II, who is majoring in Aerospace Engineering, is from Baltimore, MD.

We interviewed Keith Ceruti II 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?

The biggest lesson that I’ve learned as an SGA President is that adversity is inevitable and your ability to accept and adapt will determine your effectiveness as a leader. You may not always immediately overcome an obstacle, however, a momentary stumble is never a permeant downfall.

What made you decide to attend University of Maryland Eastern Shore for undergrad?

I chose to attend the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as its the most unique HBCU I’ve ever stepped foot on. From being the only HBCU in Maryland that offers an 1890 Land Grant to being the first public HBCU to have a School of Veterinary Medicine; UMES is a hidden gem that continues to shine unlike any other. When you couple the rich history of our illustrious institution and our unique programs such as PGA Golf Management or Aviation Science, I firmly believe there is no institution remotely close to offering a fraction of what we have to offer.

How has University of Maryland Eastern Shore molded you into the person you are today?

UMES has molded me into the individual I am today through innumerous opportunities to cultivate my intellect, professional career, and personal demeanor. Around every corner of this institution there are opportunities for all ranging from attending conferences, impactful internships, to working with our state’s government. I attribute this all to my peers, professors, and administrators who always uplift and challenge me to strive for nothing less than excellence.

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?

This year our administration has dedicated our time and resources to amplifying the organizations on campus and allowing students to get more involved without the need for the bureaucratic process. Allowing students to get involved through town halls, focused groups, or our President’s Brunch fosters a stronger campus community and allows us to know how we can better be of service to our peers

As the semester begins, we are also looking to instate a ‘House of Hawks’ that will act as our legislative body made from our students in various demographics, studies, and interests. We want all students to be involved in the decision making at our institution, while simultaneously learning more about how a democratic organization should operate.

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

Our administration supports mental health with the support of UMES Counseling Services headed by Dr. Malkia Johnson. The ability to refer students to these services with 110% confidence in our counseling department is a relief as college is undeniably challenging. Additionally our administration is dedicated to being fully authentic, vulnerable, and transparent. Great leaders are self-aware and forthcoming with who they are. I would especially like to attribute this to my Vice President, Jada Wilkinson, who exemplifies these core values in everything that we do.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership to me is having the wisdom to put aside your own interests for a greater vision and common goal. As a leader you are an authoritative figure who has a responsibility to the people you serve. Civil servitude is a responsibility, not a privilege; and It should be in use for the good of all mankind.

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

Be inclusive and get students involved in the universities content creation. UMES has taken full advantage of that with the use of our students in Digital Media Studies to the partnerships between admissions and our very own UMES Street team. The strength of our institutions is in our students, it is only right that students are involved in every step of the creative process.

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

The importance of Watch The Yard for Black students and college culture is in the nature of being open media that communicates all the great effort and work across our nation that is done by those students. Watch The Yard is apart of the quintessential ways that HBCUs and Black students stay up-to-date and connect with one another. As the next generation of leaders emerges, it is imperative for us to unite and begin pursuing a better future for our communities together.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation I will begin working in the public sector of aerospace, preferably on spacecrafts. As an Afrofuturist, I intend to become an astronaut as its important that Black people are involved  and represented in the next frontier for humanity. i would also like to begin to break into local government as it has the most impact on the people within our communities. Further down the line, I eventually will open a Black engineering enterprise that is dedicated to biomechanical, aerospace, and civil pursuits. The enterprise would predominantly make life-altering products affordable to the unprivileged and impoverished.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Keith Ceruti II for his work as the SGA president of University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

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