Leadership Highlight: Georgia Gwinnett College’s Student Government President Coréon Johnson

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Georgia Gwinnett College and did an interview with Coréon Johnson, 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. Coréon Johnson, who is majoring in Business Management, is from Atlanta, Georgia .

He is a proud Spring 2025 initiate of Kappa Alpha Psi.

We interviewed Coréon Johnson and talked to him about his 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 an SGA President so far is the importance of being personable. As the leader of an entire organization, you have to be able to connect with every single member. You need to understand what motivates them to stay engaged and committed to SGA. Communicating with everyone on a daily basis can be challenging, which is why it’s essential for me to maintain strong relationships with my cabinet so they can carry that same energy and support into their respective branches.

I’ve also learned that tasks get done based on who you give them to not the title they hold. Many of our members are students balancing classes and responsibilities outside of SGA, and I have to be mindful of that reality. It’s my responsibility to help them get back on track while also reminding them that they are valued as people, not just positions. If individuals don’t feel heard or supported, it’s difficult to expect them to perform at their best.

What made you decide to attend Georgia Gwinnett College for undergrad?

I decided to attend Georgia Gwinnett College after it was recommended to me by a coworker while I was working at Walgreens. I had just graduated from high school and was uncertain about which degree I wanted to pursue right away. Originally, I planned to work during my first year out of high school to build my savings.

My coworker told me about a school right up the street that was affordable and easy to get into. He also attended the college himself and believed I would enjoy it. After thinking it over and discussing it with my mom, I decided to apply.

When it came time to apply, I realized I only had one week left before the Fall 2021 application deadline closed. I completed all the application requirements and Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was fortunate enough to be attend a be a last-minute sign up for a required virtual orientation. 

Everything happened very last minute I didn’t explore the campus in person until the day before classes officially started. From there, the rest is history.

How has Georgia Gwinnett College molded you into the person you are today?

Georgia Gwinnett College has molded me into who I am today by giving me space to make an impact from the very beginning. As a relatively new institution founded in 2005, GGC offers students opportunities to help shape the foundation of the campus. As someone driven to create meaningful change, this environment allowed me to step into leadership early and turn ideas into action.

I was fortunate to have advisors who supported me along the way. During my freshman year, I joined the African American Male Initiative (AAMI), known on campus as Elite Scholars, after encouragement from Dr. Brandon Lewis and Mr. Allen Clarke. Through AAMI, I was given a platform to share my experiences, speak openly, and advocate for issues I felt were important.

As a commuter student, I noticed a gap on campus: there was no designated space for students to rest between long days of classes. Many commuters slept in their cars, hallway chairs, or study rooms if available. After hearing similar concerns from other students, I made it my initiative, even as a freshman, to find a solution.

With Mr. Clarke’s support, I researched sleeping pods used on other campuses, including SCAD, analyzed the pros and cons, identified possible campus locations, and created a detailed PowerPoint outlining costs, maintenance, placement, and need. I also completed a SWOT analysis and presented the proposal to the SGA Administration in Fall 2021–2022. Although the administration was not interested in moving forward with the idea, I took the feedback and continued forward.

I launched a petition titled Sleeping Pods at Georgia Gwinnett College and independently promoted it from January through March through flyers, in-person outreach, and creative awareness tactics, including appearing in pajamas and a sleep mask at high-traffic campus areas. I gathered nearly 500 student signatures and was later featured in the campus newspaper, The Globe.

This attention led campus leadership to combine my proposal with another student request for a religious safe space, resulting in the creation of a meditation room with cubicles and rugs, now located in the library.

This experience taught me that setbacks do not define outcomes persistence does. Georgia Gwinnett College instilled in me the confidence to advocate for others, push through rejection, and continue seeking solutions that benefit the student body. With the support of advisors such as Jawaun Rogers, Ryan Smith, and Marcus McRae, I carry this mindset into every space I lead.

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?

During my first semester as SGA President, the first major initiative I led was rebranding the Student Government Association at Georgia Gwinnett College. Historically, SGA lacked a consistent identity, as each administration transitioned without establishing a lasting foundation. I decided to change that by becoming the first president at GGC to formally name an administration with a clear purpose tied to its goals.

I named the 2025–2026 year the H.E.A.R.T. Administration, which stands for Hospitality, Engagement, Awareness, Resilience, and Togetherness. This identity helps unify our initiatives, resonate with students, and remind us why we advocate for the student body—with heart and passion. The primary focuses of my administration are mental health resources, community engagement, and student housing improvement. Serving in multiple leadership and student employment roles on campus, including as a Resident Assistant, a Wellness and Recreation student worker, and a Student Operations worker, has allowed me to identify gaps across campus and translate those observations into meaningful initiatives.

In September, I relaunched SGA’s Period Project, which provides free menstrual products to students. This initiative is a partnership with the campus Care Pantry, overseen by Tia Smoke, and our nonprofit donor, Helping Mamas Inc. The relaunch was met with strong positive feedback and led to interest from other institutions. The Savannah College of Art and Design reached out to learn more about our model as they develop innovative dispenser designs that integrate industrial design and software solutions. During their visit, we were transparent about our SWOT analysis, current dispenser locations, and long-term sustainability plans.

Following the success of the Period Project, I launched the Johnson Protection Program, a play on my last name. Through this initiative, I distributed free condoms to students during my office hours to promote safe sex and responsible decision-making.

Mental health has been a central priority of my administration. In October, I introduced Mental Health Week, the first week-long series of SGA-led programming in Georgia Gwinnett College’s history. The week included a Midterm Boost Bar to support students during exams by providing free snacks and energy drinks, a Rage Room that allowed students to safely release stress by breaking plates after writing down what they wanted to let go of, and a Wind-Down Wednesday yoga session in partnership with the Wellness and Recreation Department. Each event was designed to meet students where they were and provide accessible tools for stress management.

In November, we hosted Skate the Streets as a standalone event in collaboration with Wellness and Recreation and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). The event combined roller skating with mental health education by pairing music with different emotional themes, such as happiness, sadness, and anger, while CAPS staff engaged students in conversations about coping strategies and campus resources. Due to its success and student feedback, we plan to bring Skate the Streets back during the spring semester.

One of our most impactful accomplishments was leading the Fall Break Survey at the request of the Provost. The survey asked students whether they preferred to keep the current five-day Thanksgiving break or transition to a model that includes a two-day Columbus Day break and a three-day Thanksgiving break. The H.E.A.R.T. Administration’s semester-long outreach resulted in the highest student participation rate for an SGA-led survey since records have been kept on the CampusGroups platform. So much so that the president of the school was impressed with the numbers.

Another initiative I am especially proud of involved collaborating with the Daniel J. Kaufman Library and Dean Catherine Downey to allow graduating Fall 2025 students to take graduation photos during the library’s low-traffic hours. Being able to share this opportunity with the student body demonstrated that SGA actively listens to student needs and works collaboratively to turn feedback into action.

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

The H.E.A.R.T. Administration is currently working to bring an Active Minds chapter to campus. Active Minds is a peer-support organization that creates mental health programming aimed at raising awareness about resources available both on campus and beyond. These chapters provide students with an inclusive space to discuss mental health in a broad and open way, ensuring that all members of the student body feel seen and supported.

Bringing this organization to campus is a major priority for the spring semester. Shortly after being elected President, I began discussions with our Counseling Services department about developing peer-to-peer mental health programming. This led me to research existing models, during which I learned about Active Minds through Albany State University’s SGA President, Jonathan Bing, who shared that Active Minds is a nationally recognized peer-to-peer mental health program designed specifically for college students.

The urgency of this initiative became clear during one of our fall town halls, when a student asked whether we could create a safe space for students to talk openly about their mental health. I shared at that time that we were actively exploring the creation of an Active Minds chapter. If implemented effectively, this organization will directly address a clear student need by providing a supportive, student-led mental health space on our campus.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership, to me, is adaptability. A true leader must be able to shift course from an original game plan, even when that plan was once the main goal. Doing so not only shows the people you lead that you are willing to listen, but also demonstrates self-awareness and the ability to adjust when necessary to get the job done.

I also believe leadership is about motivation. If you can inspire someone to believe in their heart that what you are asking of them contributes not only to the betterment of others but also to their own growth, you create an environment where people are invested. That is how you build a successful and sustainable organization.

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

 In a digital world, schools need to be more consistent and intentional with their online presence. Too often, institutions focus on posting what they want students to know rather than what students actually need or want to know, and that difference matters. Schools should prioritize content that highlights career service opportunities, mental health resources, and real student experiences.

It is also important for schools to tailor their messaging to their audiences while staying true to their mission and what makes them different from other institutions. Students choose a college for specific reasons, and if schools understand those reasons, they should showcase them rather than hide them. Highlighting how campus culture connects to networking, professional growth, and real-world opportunities allows institutions to build trust and relevance in a digital-first environment.

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

Watch The Yard is important to Black students and college culture because it provides a platform that highlights and celebrates Black excellence in ways that are not always represented elsewhere. It serves as a source of motivation, allowing students to see others accomplishing goals they may have once doubted were possible for themselves. Seeing those achievements affirmed publicly can be powerful and inspiring.

Watch The Yard also gives prospective and current college students exposure to aspects of college life and culture they may not have been aware of, including Divine Nine organizations and other traditions within Black collegiate culture. Many young adults are unfamiliar with these spaces until they are shown what is possible, and Watch The Yard creates a central place for that visibility and inspiration.

Personally, it brings a smile to my face to see the accomplishments of Black men and women being celebrated and moving our community forward in a positive direction.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Organizational Leadership. My goal is to learn how to effectively motivate entire organizations, understand team behavior, and create strong cultures that align with a company’s mission and values. Earning an MBA will equip me with the skills needed to lead people, manage operations, and drive organizational success.

After completing my master’s degree, I aim to begin my career in project management, specifically within operations management, and work my way up toward becoming a Fortune 500 CEO. I aspire to move from company to company, helping organizations rebuild, improve, and grow from the ground up. Once I have helped address key challenges within one organization, I plan to take that experience and apply it to the next.

In addition to my business goals, I also plan to pursue a career as an author by finishing a non-fiction adventure book I began writing in high school. I have always loved storytelling and have admired authors like Stephen King and R. L. Stine. As a highly imaginative person, I look forward to sharing my stories and ideas with the world. 

I would love to see if can find some acting gigs as well. I always wanted to see myself on the big screens.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Coréon Johnson for his work as the student government president of Georgia Gwinnett College.

Photo Credits: @j2shot.it @Justinflicks.raw