When Serena Semere first stepped onto GCSU’s campus, she was just trying to find her place. As a first-generation college student, she remembers feeling overwhelmed by the number of opportunities available. It did not take long for her to discover her purpose: helping others and making a difference.
“I started by joining Delta Gamma, which quickly became a place where I found community and purpose,” Semere said. “Two members of Delta Gamma, Kaitley Congdon and Axel Hawkins, recognized my passion for helping others. Their encouragement to join SGA gave me the chance to advocate for someone else for the first time.”
That encouragement would eventually lead Semere to the highest student leadership position on campus: Student Government Association President. After serving two terms as Treasurer, Semere ran for President in her junior year, inspired by the work of her predecessors and determined to continue building on their momentum.
“I saw the incredible initiatives under Axel’s leadership and wanted to maintain that momentum while continuing to advocate for students and strengthen our campus community,” she said.
As SGA President, Semere serves as the voice for students, bridging the gap between the student body and university administration. Her work focuses on listening, communicating and ensuring that every student’s concerns are heard.
“I prioritize staying aware of the issues happening across campus so I can truly understand what students need,” Semere said. “We have a feedback survey available in GC Connect that I monitor regularly, and if any member of SGA becomes aware of an issue, they report it to me so we can address it as a team.”
Teamwork and communication extend beyond the SGA office. Semere meets regularly with university leadership to present student concerns and collaborate on solutions. Whether it’s parking, campus life or inclusion, she aims to turn student feedback into real results.
Her leadership has already made a tangible impact. One of the biggest initiatives under her tenure has been increasing student engagement and representation across all demographics. Early in her SGA career, she helped support resolutions addressing campus needs, including the four-hour parking policy and the soon-to-launch digital Bobcat Card.
More recently, she’s proud of helping create the first SGA position dedicated to representing graduate students, a move that strengthens communication between undergraduate and graduate communities.
“We’re actively planning a town hall and open forum to give students direct opportunities to share their thoughts and concerns with SGA and university leadership,” Semere said. “It’s important that every student feels like they have a seat at the table.”
Transparency and inclusion have become key pillars of her presidency. To ensure students stay informed, SGA now posts all of its archives on GC Connect. Semere also emphasizes collaboration with multicultural organizations to make events more inclusive and accessible.
“We partnered with the International Club for International Fest and regularly communicate with other multicultural organizations to explore ways we can better support them,” she said. “That might mean additional funding opportunities or initiatives that better reflect our diverse student body.”
Her passion for advocacy isn’t just something she learned through leadership; it’s deeply tied to her academic studies. As a double major in criminal justice and political science, Semere has developed a strong understanding of how policies are created and how leaders can use their positions to enact meaningful change.
“Studying criminal justice and political science has shaped my leadership style,” she said. “It’s encouraged me to think critically, consider diverse perspectives and approach challenges with fairness and empathy.”
Those lessons have also inspired her to plan for the future of SGA, not just her own term.
“I strive to leave SGA stronger when I graduate and to set up the next executive board for continued success,” Semere added.
As she nears the end of her presidency, Semere is focused on increasing SGA’s visibility and showing students the real impact of their government.
“My goal is for the campus community to see our impact firsthand,” she said. “I want students to not only hear about our efforts but see us actively making changes and engaging across campus.”
After graduation, Semere plans to continue her commitment to service by pursuing a master’s degree, followed by law school. Her ultimate goal is to make legal representation more accessible for low-income communities.
“I’ve always found purpose in being a voice for those who cannot advocate for themselves,” Semere said. “That’s something I want to continue throughout my career.”
From her first days as an overwhelmed freshman to leading the student body, Semere’s journey has been defined by one thing: advocacy. And as she looks toward the future, her impact at GCSU will continue to shape the university long after she graduates.