Involvement not new for SGA president
By: LATRICIA THOMAS and ZENEA WILLIAMS
Sep 07, 2024
Claflin SGA President Joshua Williams.
“I believe in being involved and being the change you want to see.”
The approach is not new for Claflin’s 2024-25 Student Government Association President Joshua Williams.
“I would say that I had a very balanced childhood,” said Williams, who grew up with his parents and three older siblings.
He was the youngest in his household and said that impacted the way he is today.
“My childhood molded me into the independent go-getter I am today,” Williams said.
Although he usually got what he wanted, he remained humble.
“I know what it's like to get what I want, but I also know what it's like to go without,” Williams said.
He got involved with student leadership as a freshman at Claflin, becoming Mr. Freshman. During his sophomore year, he was elected Mr. Orange and Maroon.
Now he is in the top student leader position as SGA president with strong feelings about helping not only Claflin but his community.
“I saw some things that I wanted to change, turn around and be impactful towards as well as the student body, so I felt like a good representation of that,” Williams said. “That is ultimately why I ran to be SGA president.”
Williams’ long-term goals are to be a real estate agent and entrepreneur. By doing this, he hopes to have a big impact on his community.
“I look forward to giving back to the community through my career goals,” he said.
Williams said there are pros and cons to being a part of SGA but ultimately the experience is worth it.
“The main con for me is that balance between social life, academics and also having the obligation of being a student leader,” Williams said.
He continues to find the balance with an eye on his mission.
As he said: “I believe in being involved and being the change you want to see.”
Overcoming a health challenge
Over this past summer on July 18, Williams fell victim to sporadic strokes on the left side of his brain that left him unable to walk.
“I stand here as a testimony and a product of a nurturing environment: Claflin University,” Williams said during the Matriculation Day ceremony in September.
“Claflin prides itself on being a family-oriented environment,” Williams said. “I appreciated this the most during such a difficult time in my life."
“This same atmosphere is nothing short of what you will experience on the hilltop high,” Williams said. “The care and support Claflin University offers to its students is simply unmatched.”