Leadership Highlight: Morgan State University ‘s Student Government President Tamani Grace

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Morgan State University  and did an interview with Tamani Grace, the 2025–2026 Student Government Association president.

The position of student government president is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes in being elected by their peers to lead. Tamani Grace, who is majoring in Psychology, is from Queens, New York.

She is a proud Spring 2025 initiate of Delta Sigma Theta.

We interviewed Tamani Grace  and talked to her about her position, goals, future and what it means to hold this type of leadership position in 2025–2026.

Read the full interview below.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned as a student government president so far?

The biggest thing I’ve learned as SGA President is that leadership is not about a title, visibility, or recognition, it’s about impact. It’s about walking into every room with intention and leaving it better than you found it because people were served, voices were heard, and purpose was honored. I’ve learned that leadership was never meant to be done alone. Real change happens through collective effort, trust, and shared responsibility. The strength of my leadership has come from understanding that empowering others and leading alongside a team creates far greater impact than leading in isolation. This role has also taught me that having a position does not mean having all the answers. The best leaders are followers first willing to listen, remain teachable, and grow while carrying responsibility. Serving as SGA President has redefined leadership for me as service: choosing people over position, impact over recognition, and purpose over ego.

What made you decide to attend Morgan State University  for undergrad?

Morgan State University was one of the very first HBCUs I toured, and from the moment I stepped on campus, I felt an undeniable sense of belonging. The energy was warm, intentional, and welcoming it truly felt like a home away from home. I remember attending Open House and learning about the many resources within the Psychology Department, especially the support systems available for out-of-state students like myself. At that moment, I knew Morgan wasn’t just a place where I would earn a degree, but a community that would truly support my growth. Choosing Morgan was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, but in many ways, Morgan had already chosen me; it was simply waiting for me to choose it back. This institution didn’t just educate me; it poured into me. Morgan gave me a second family, mentors who believed in me before I fully believed in myself, and a community that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and challenged me to do more than I ever thought I could. Most importantly, Morgan taught me that while you may think you know what your journey is supposed to look like, it can be even greater when you allow God to guide your path. What started as a campus visit became a calling. Morgan shaped my purpose, strengthened my faith, and helped mold me into the leader and woman I am becoming and for that, it will always be home. 

How has Morgan State University  molded you into the person you are today?

Morgan State University has molded me into the person I am today by teaching me how to grow with intention and lead with integrity. Morgan didn’t just challenge me academically, it challenged the way I saw myself, my responsibility to others, and the level of impact I was capable of having. Through this journey, I’ve learned how to lead with intention, listen with empathy, and show up for others even when the work feels heavy. Morgan pushed me out of my comfort zone and placed me in rooms that required courage, accountability, and growth. Being in spaces with university officials, faculty, and staff taught me how to carry myself with executive presence to speak confidently, listen strategically, and represent student voices with professionalism and purpose. Morgan also taught me how to balance confidence with humility. It showed me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about being prepared, composed, and open to learning in high-level spaces. I came to Morgan with dreams, but I’m leaving with discipline, discernment, and a deeper understanding of who I am and what I’m capable of. This university shaped not only the leader I’ve become, but the woman I am continuing to grow into and that impact will stay with me for a lifetime.

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 the biggest accomplishments of the On The Run Administration has been strengthening student leadership engagement with the student body. We have been intentional about ensuring student leaders are visible, accessible, and genuinely connected to students and faculty. This has allowed us to communicate more effectively and understand what students actually want and need, rather than making assumptions.
Beyond campus, we prioritized community impact. Our administration partnered with the Baltimore City Council on service initiatives such as tree-planting efforts to support environmental sustainability and packing health kits for individuals experiencing hardship throughout the city. We also ensured that all SGA members were trained in the proper use of Narcan , allowing us to place overdose-response kits in vending machines and other accessible locations across the city making life-saving resources available when and where they are needed most. Additionally, we worked closely with local elementary schools, engaging students in conversations about their futures and encouraging them to stay focused despite the challenges they may be surrounded by. Looking ahead, our administration will continue partnering with Baltimore City Public Schools to support K–12 students, particularly in addressing gaps in reading and math proficiency. Overall, our work has focused on ensuring that SGA is not only advocating within campus walls, but actively serving and uplifting the surrounding community as well.

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

Mental health has been a major priority for my administration, and we’ve approached it from both a preventative and responsive standpoint. While the university has strong resources in place such as counseling services and wellness programming, our focus has been ensuring students are aware of these resources, feel comfortable using them, and understand that mental health is a shared responsibility across campus. We’ve increased communication and visibility through SGA-led initiatives, collaborations with campus departments, and student forums that create safe spaces for open dialogue around stress, burnout, and mental health challenges without stigma. We also continue to work closely with the Counseling Center to promote available services, including the 16 free therapy sessions provided to students, helping remove financial barriers to care.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership, to me, is vision backed by discipline. It’s the ability to see the bigger picture, remain focused, and stay optimistic even when others can’t yet see what you see. A leader believes in the vision before the proof exists and moves with intention, trusting that clarity will come through the work. Leadership is knowing what’s needed at the right time whether that’s direction, reassurance, or action and stepping in without hesitation. At the same time, real leadership means understanding that you cannot lead alone. Especially in student leadership, success is built through strategy, collaboration, and trust. That balance of confidence, strategy, and teamwork is what leadership means to me.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think schools need to do to represent themselves online in 2025–2026?

In 2025–2026 and moving into 2026, schools need to be intentional and strategic about how they represent themselves online by using digital platforms as tools for connection, communication, and accountability. Social media should be used to stay updated with what students are actively expressing they need whether that’s academic support, mental health resources, leadership opportunities, or community engagement. Schools must also recognize that attention spans are short, which means online representation needs to be engaging, relevant, and authentic. Highlighting real student voices, leadership experiences, and measurable impact rather than just posting events helps students feel seen and connected. Most importantly, a school’s online presence should reflect leadership, not just marketing. How institutions show up digitally speaks to their values and commitment to serving students in real time.

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

I truly commend the work that Watch The Yard does because there are not many platforms that consistently highlight the positive, impactful work happening within the Black community. Watch The Yard creates a space where Black students and leaders can see themselves represented in excellence, leadership, and purpose. For students who may feel confined by the realities the world places on them, seeing people who look like them breaking barriers and redefining success is powerful. By highlighting trendsetters and leaders who are doing the work, Watch The Yard not only honors those individuals but inspires the generations coming after them. That recognition matters; it validates the work, encourages perseverance, and reminds students that their efforts have purpose. Even the name “Watch The Yard” speaks volumes. It invites the world to pay attention to the excellence, culture, and impact coming out of our campuses.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree focused on counseling and community-based work. I want to deepen my understanding of how systems, environments, and access to resources impact young people, particularly those from underserved communities. My long-term goal is to create and lead programs that support students both academically and emotionally centered on mentorship, mental health, leadership development, and exposure to opportunities students may not receive in traditional school settings. Serving as SGA President has prepared me for this next chapter by teaching me how to advocate, think strategically, and lead with purpose. I’m committed to continuing work that creates impact beyond a title, a position, or a campus.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Tamani Grace for her work as the student government president of Morgan State University .