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 A&M College and did an interview with Sean Inman, 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. Sean Inman, who is majoring in Finance, is from Houston, Texas.
He is a proud Spring 2025 initiate of Kappa Alpha Psi.
We interviewed Sean Inman 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?
Being SGA President has highlighted the importance of being intentional in life. Day by day, it’s easy to get caught up in your regular schedule. Maintaining the status quo becomes routine and, in some ways, comfortable. But true impact won’t be found in the status quo. A person has to make the concerted effort to escape the norm. This can be seen in a vast array of situations, from having tough conversations regarding campus policy to putting in the extra work to ensure a campus project meets a deadline. But being intentional can be seen in every part of life: sitting down and studying for the big test, remembering to call a loved one, being disciplined enough to stay in the gym. All of these are intentional actions that push you toward real impact, no matter the scale. The hardest part of achieving excellence is the jump from good to great. Intentionality is the first step.
What made you decide to attend Southern University and A&M College for undergrad?
The culture. I knew I wanted to attend an HBCU since middle school; however, the question of “which one?” didn’t get answered until much later. I wanted a university that had deep roots, a buzzing campus life, and a strong alumni base showcasing success after college. Southern University checked all three boxes. The culture and heritage of Louisiana are unique all on their own, and Southern University encapsulates that. But Southern is so much more than just that: the only system HBCU in the nation, home to the ESPN National Band of the Year, the Human Jukebox, and the originators of Pretty Wednesday. At Southern University, school pride just means more. A friend and mentor, Kevin Taylor-Jarell II, a former SGA President, left his impact on Southern University and paved the way. I chose Southern because I wanted a place I could truly call home.
How has Southern University and A&M College molded you into the person you are today?
Southern University has taught me that adversity is something to be faced head-on. Whether it be in the classroom, campus life, or in the Greater Baton Rouge area, everything hasn’t come easy. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth having. The only thing standing between you and reaching new heights is doing the dirty work, doing what’s hard, doing what you don’t want to do. While it’s easy to hope for a challenge-free life, that isn’t always the case. Southern has taught me not to fear the hard moments but to welcome them as opportunities to become better. In addition to it all, I wouldn’t have met some of the greatest friends, mentors, and mentees without 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?
Coming into Southern, I knew that my passion was setting up success for the next generation. During my term, we have concentrated our efforts on the First Year Experience. The best way to ensure success in higher education is to familiarize incoming students with the culture, academic rigor, and standards a university upholds. The entire experience, from initial student orientation to matriculation past 30 course hours, must be treated as a method to grow the alumni and leaders of tomorrow.
Past the walls of the Bluff, my administration has expanded the reach of our culture by connecting with students in classrooms from elementary to high school in the Greater Baton Rouge area. Without a major sports team in the city, Southern University takes on the role of a community pillar. Many across the city look at the University as a place to be proud of, regardless of alumni standing. Giving back to the youth in the surrounding areas is a personal passion. Southern University won’t just stop at being an academic institution, but will continue to serve as a cultural center for the community.
How is your student government administration/school currently working on attending to the mental health of students?
Mental health is a priority for our students. Each branch of our SGA hosts its own events to foster positive mental health on campus, particularly around the holidays and academic peaks when tensions and stressors may rise. Additionally, there is constant communication with campus administration concerning how we can make campus a more comfortable environment for students. Student leaders across campus understand the load of college and want to ensure that mental health is never the reason a student fails.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership, to me, is all about serving. Any good leader must have a love and passion for who or what they lead. But above that, you have to not only want what’s best but also actively pursue it. As a leader, the way your team moves is dictated by no one but you, which is why you have to work harder, longer, and smarter than anyone else. I believe in the concept of servant leadership, I never ask anyone to do something that I wouldn’t do myself.
Many think that leaders belong in the front, leading the pack. While this has some truth, the best leaders lead from the back, putting in the extra work and long hours that may not be praised in public but are necessary to progress the team. Leaders function as an example to others within their group, setting the standard. A lackluster leader will make lackluster effort seem acceptable. However, a passionate and impactful leader boosts the standard and morale of those they lead. In turn, the best leaders produce more leadership in the people around them.
We now live in a digital world, what do you think schools need to do to represent themselves online in 2025–2026?
In the digital world, schools must begin to further promote the academic progress they achieve. In our era, many of the entertainment and sports activities at institutions seem to gain the most traction and rightfully so, as these activities are part of what makes up our cultures. However, the ultimate goal of higher education is one thing: the cultivation of tomorrow’s leaders in the classroom.
Universities must display what they do to educate and elevate. Whether that be investment into facilities, innovation in research, or the plans and processes of higher administration. All are integral to the function of higher education, but are very rarely talked about outside of campus boardrooms. In today’s era, we need to hear from each aspect of our campuses. Administration must serve as a face, making progress public. On the other side of the coin, the student experience should be portrayed not only showing a new perspective on our schools, but giving tomorrow’s talent a place to shine. Our collective voices are louder together.
Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black students and college culture?
I can’t stress enough the importance of Watch The Yard. In the era of digital media, it is the social hub for the Black college experience. Watch The Yard is a place that connects us all. It provides a platform that documents Black Greek life, HBCU traditions, and student leadership with accuracy, pride, and respect for legacy while ensuring our stories are told by people who understand the culture. Watch The Yard connects past, present, and future generations through digital media while setting a standard of excellence across the nation. For many Black students, seeing their achievements, traditions, and institutions reflected positively reinforces pride, belonging, and purpose, reminding us that what we are building in Black college spaces is not temporary, it’s legacy work.
What do you plan on doing after graduation?
Upon graduation, I’ll be moving to Dallas, TX to kickstart my career. I am blessed to have the opportunity to work as an analyst within Asset-Based Lending at JPMorgan Chase. While there, I plan to grow my expertise within the realm of finance and economic systems. I believe financial literacy is a treasure trove—not only to stability, but to wealth. My real passion is educating our communities on ways to make assets work for their benefit. Money is not just a means of exchange, but a tool used to position oneself and one’s family for success.
But let it be clear: I have no intention of stepping away from Southern! The next journey on the Bluff is working within the Alumni Federation to further promote and grow the reach of Southern University across the nation. The process of cultivating the next generation of student leaders never stops.
We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Sean Inman for his work as the student government president of Southern University and A&M College.
Photo Credits: @iammarklandry, @southernu_osm, @dhphotos1