As a new school year gets underway, Student Body President Ashanti Payne hopes to improve the student experience at SMSU. Payne is a sophomore, majoring in exercise science. His past roles as Chair of the Student Affairs Committee, the diversity sub-committee, and the President of the Black Student Union has prepared him for his new role.

In addition to his academic and presidential responsibilities, Payne is a running back on the SMSU football team. What seems like a busy schedule doesn’t faze Payne.

“You just got to want to do it,” Payne said. “If you enjoy it, it’s perfect.”

As for Student Senate, Payne’s agenda for the year includes student involvement, which means encouraging students to participate in activities at SMSU and in the community.

“I feel like students would enjoy college more if they got involved,” Payne said.

Encouraging students to participate in clubs, sports, and other organizations may lead them to paths they also may have never considered. Payne’s decision to run for president last semester was a natural one.

“I feel like I had a lot of good ideas to bring to our students,” Payne said. “I want to make [SMSU] more enjoyable for students.”

Positive feedback from his football coaches and past student body president, Rachael Posusta, encouraged Payne to run and reassured him that he could handle the work. Paying attention to past leaders have helped Payne shape his leadership style.

“For me it’s all about listening to the people who have been here and kind of know how things work,” Payne said.

Payne recognizes that a part of leading is listening, and learning is ongoing. Personal experience has lead Payne to place a high importance on student involvement and engagement.

“I love what I’m doing,” Payne said. “I really care about the students, I really care about the university I want to see positive change, I want to see us move forward.”

Payne would also like to leave a lasting impact after his term as president comes to a close. His goal is to establish a tradition of community service involvement from SMSU students. Serving others is something Payne would like to make a part of what SMSU students do.

“I would have never saw myself do the things I have done,” Payne said. “I decided to try it, you never know how things will turn out. Don’t be afraid to venture off and meet new people and have different experiences. Don’t be afraid to try something new.”