Leadership Highlight: Southern University and A&M College’s Student Government President Kennedy Orr

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College and did an interview with Kennedy Orr, 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. Orr, who is majoring in Agricultural Business, is from Chicago, Illinois and a proud Spring 2024 initiate of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

We interviewed Kennedy Orr and talked to her about her 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 I’ve learned as SGA President is the art of compromise and how essential it is to incorporate it as a leadership skill. As SGA President, I have had to work with various individuals, organizations, and departments with different leadership and communication styles. We always don’t see eye to eye but I always ensure my meetings maintain a collaborative energy where all parties leave satisfied and heard. In order to reduce tension and maintain positive relationships, I work to ensure that a middle ground is met in all decisions.

What made you decide to attend Southern University for undergrad?

I decided to attend Southern University and A&M College because I wanted to be at an HBCU that was willing to invest in me and my future. Southern was the only HBCU to offer me two full ride scholarships to study agricultural business. Additionally, I fell in love with Louisiana when I first visited campus and I could picture myself having a successful 4 years on The Bluff. I knew I would thrive here, create unforgettable memories, and build lifelong friendships that I would cherish. I wanted to be immersed in true southern culture. I knew that I wanted to always call this place my home away from home.

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

Southern University and A&M College has molded me into a woman that leads with pride, determination, and humility. Coming all the way to Southern and having to start a new chapter of my life alone, forced me to grow up and adopt a new level of independence. I learned the power of discernment and to be mindful of the company I keep. Most of my peers can agree that I am reserved, observant, and maybe even distant. However, I have met people at Southern that helped me open up as I grew into a young woman. Freshman year me would’ve never believed I could make the impact that I have made to the extent of obtaining the position of SGA President, but so many people have poured into me and helped me navigate my political year at Southern.

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?

One of my primary focuses this year is to secure more housing to combat our housing crisis. We have so many brilliant students from across the globe who wish to attend our university and it is my duty to maximize the university’s efforts to accommodate all new and returning students. By attending developer meetings and working in tandem with our Board of Supervisors to urge them to prioritize housing as we transform this University in the coming year. Secondly, its imperative that I bring administration’s attention to the faults within the university’s daily operations that make a difference in a students experience. For instance, working with our departments to improve customer service and how to effectively communicate with students in a way that they feel understood, without being made to feel as if their concerns are bothersome to staff. Every interaction, whether it be for 5 minutes or 5 hours, should be meaningful and productive for the sake of student success so that we retain our students and get them across that stage in 4-5 years.

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

In conjunction with our Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs, my SGA administration is able to host our second annual Wellness Day on the Bluff which began with my predecessor back in Spring 2024. On this day, we host a variety of activities to help our students unwind as they learn self-soothing coping mechanisms to reduce stress throughout the semester. These activities include yoga, paint therapy, meditation, pet touch therapy and more! We are excited to continue this initiative and ensure that it continues way beyond my tenure as SGA President. Additionally, I continue to work closely with our University Counseling Center to increase their outreach and impact on our student body. The goal is to reduce the stigmas students fear they will encounter if they choose to visit the counseling center and utilizing the resources provided by staff. In order to do this, we will continue to bring the resources to the students as they go on about their daily routine, hoping that with each visit to a booth, activity, or seminar will free them from the stigmas that surround mental health in the black community.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership is not just a concept, but rather a lifestyle that is full of sacrifice, service, and selflessness. I hold servant leadership as one of my guiding moral purposes, and I use the position of Student Body President to fulfill this mission. I would not be me if I did not seize every opportunity to lead and be a voice

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

I encourage schools to continue expanding their social media presence with the assistance of student brand ambassadors that can create relative and engaging content from a students point of view. Viewers gravitate toward content that is relatable and as authentic as possible in order to easily visualize themselves in living through the creators routine.

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

Watch The Yard provides students insight on Black college culture and shines a spotlight that most mainstream media outlets fail to capture when it comes to topics that relate to our community. Watch The Yard is a platform that highlights the positive contributions made from within the Black community and inspires viewers to be Black and bold. Its important that the black community tunes into platforms like Watch The Yard to remain informed of current trends, issues, and even accomplishments that emerge in our day to day lives. When people know they have an accessible platform to share their story, they are more inclined to continue to be change makers, story tellers, and leaders. Most importantly, it is imperative that we use social media to target our youth and flood their timelines with media garnered toward their interest with the intent to inform and inspire.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to accept a job offer with the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service in Washington D.C. while simultaneously earning my masters degree. I will continue to keep an open mind on possible career ventures within public policy, education, and politics.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Kennedy Orr for her work as the SGA president of Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

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