Leadership Highlight: Ramapo College of New Jersey Student Government President Victor Oluwagbemi

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Ramapo College of New Jersey and did an interview with Victor Oluwagbemi, 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. Victor Oluwagbemi, who is majoring in Law and Society, is from Browns Mills, New Jersey.

We interviewed Victor Oluwagbemi and talked to him about his 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?

Becoming SGA president has been enlightening in many ways, but in my time thus far, the most valuable lesson I have learned is that being a leader means being led by others. Before being elected, I thought leadership meant utilizing the platform you have to leverage the initiatives you had in mind; though that is part of it, my term as president has taught me the source of where those initiatives should come from. Understanding the source is realizing that people are put in positions of power with the expectation that they serve their community and the people that reside in it. I realized that a leader is nothing without people to lead, so it goes without saying that the needs of those people should guide a leader’s hand in developing initiatives. Being in this role requires one to not just be an active listener, but also an active driver for change.

What made you decide to attend Ramapo College of New Jersey for undergrad?

There were a few factors that contributed to my decision to go to Ramapo College for my undergraduate degree. The first of which is the majors and minors they offer; the Law and Society major allows me to explore the intricacies of the legal field while giving me enough space to also pick up Sports Management as a minor to learn about the complexities that come into play in the world of sports. Because of the diverse nature of the majors and minors, I was able to put my major and minor together to help me develop a background in sports and entertainment law which is the field I am most passionate about. Another factor that played a role in my decision was the community and environment at Ramapo. There was a feeling of comradery that I felt being on the campus, and the staff and students alike were very welcoming. As someone who was passionate about service and social responsibility, it almost felt like Ramapo was designed just for me. Those factors alone drew me to Ramapo, not to mention the scholarships, programs, and other amazing opportunities they offer.

How has Ramapo College of New Jersey molded you into the person you are today?

Many of the experiences I made at Ramapo serve as building blocks that built on the foundation of my character. As a member of the Integrated Calendar Task Force, I was exposed to the different laws that control things like the ‘grid’ that structures everyday life. Additionally, the College Programming Board bolstered my ability to be innovative and adaptive to any situation as a 3-year member. I could go on forever about the things I have learned, but those learning lessons helped me develop as an intellectual as well as a person. Working with a multitude of diverse groups has truly broadened my understanding and perspective of the way the world works as well as how we interact in society. I also use those learning lessons to inform my decisions and create a vision for my future.

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?

So far, one of our main objectives is to increase student outreach through improving engagement across campus. This is being done in several ways; one can be how our senate approves and provides funds, marketing, and/or volunteers to events that clubs want to create. Another built in structure we have is the club process committee that is lead by SGA members. That committee helps students get engaged and learn how to make new clubs from the ground up. I believe having these opportunities in place help support the Ramapo community in fulfilling the magnitude of the event our students envision. Outside of that, I have personally been working on a program called Clash of the Clubs; a year-long event designed to get clubs to interact with each other in lighthearted competition while giving the general student body the chance to get in on the action. This project will also assist in giving new clubs exposure to students at Ramapo.

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

Our SGA has persistently used every opportunity we have to support the mental health of the students at Ramapo. We have drafted bills in Solidarity of the Palestine-Israel Conflict, we have created events and programs specifically designed to uplift and encourage our students in their time at Ramapo. I personally have served as an SGA representative on our Integrated Calendar Task Force to voice the student’s needs and incorporate different concepts like wellness days into our academic calendar.

What does leadership mean to you?

To me, leadership is an opportunity, a platform, and a tool that I can use to support others around me. I have been led by others and that support has shaped my experiences and now, as a leader, I want to be able to make the same impact on others. I grew up in a service-driven community, so to be able to help others is a passion of mine, and leadership grants me the ability to do so.

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

I believe that schools should remain present in different forms of our everyday lives. In order to do that, I believe social media is a good medium to do so. Not only are a large majority of students active participants in social media, but it is also a place where students draw a lot of their information from. Through videos, reels, and visual representations of what Ramapo stands for, I believe social media would be a good source for schools to represent themselves.

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

I think Watch the Yard creates a supportive structure for students across the country and being able to connect that community is so precious in a time where many of us are being divided for one reason or another. For the culture, it helps illuminate the good things that we all do, and support each other in the process of being successful students.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation I am seeking admittance into law school to pursue a degree in sports and entertainment law. Pursuing law has been my focus for a long time now, and after graduating, I hope to turn that dream into a reality. Being SGA president has taught me about law tremendously, but also directed me in leadership, working with others, management, and so many other skills that have enriched my experience at Ramapo immensely. Moreover, I think that experience will serve as a strong foundation to build my career on.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Victor Oluwagbemi for his work as the SGA president of Ramapo College of New Jersey.

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