Brian Jessup. Courtesy: SGA
Junior international business major Brian Jessup received the email while hanging out in his Mod with some friends. He took a minute to walk outside before saying anything. Concerned, his friends asked him what was wrong. That’s when he told them: He had been elected as the official Student Government Association President for the 2014-2015 school year.
Originally from Colorado Springs, Colo., Jessup said Azusa Pacific was not his first choice of college; however, when the decision dates came around, he recognized APU’s capability to fulfill his college wishes, he said. Jessup’s two older brothers and sister-in-law all attended the university as well.
He is currently hoping to help start small companies in impoverished countries. He is even studying Spanish in order to prepare him for work in, ideally, central South America, he said.
Although this is Jessup’s biggest leadership responsibility yet, his college experience has been filled with such positions: he served as a Young Life leader, Alpha leader and RA in the Shire Mods.
As president, Jessup will be responsible for managing and operating SGA, acting as a liaison between upper administration and the student body, encouraging student government to achieve its full potential plus meeting with top executives.
“I said in my speech, I have an awareness for the potential that we have as students to really make an impact in each other’s lives, in the lives of this community and beyond this community,” Jessup said.
Junior business management major Alpha Joy Ferrer, originally his opponent for president, will serve as SGA vice president next year. Jessup and Ferrer have worked together before, as both were Alpha leaders at the same time.
“The fact that we were opponents one day, and then partners the next, is only something the Lord can orchestrate,” Ferrer said. “I am beyond grateful, humbled, and blessed to have this special opportunity to serve the student body alongside him and the rest of the team. I am looking forward to seeing how both of our strengths, experiences and even weaknesses come together to best serve each other, SGA, the student body, and administration.”
According to Jessup, he and his team are focusing on “transitioning well” during the fall semester. While the SGA staff changes every year, next year’s edition plans to gracefully rise to the occasion.
SGA consists of an executive team, including the president, vice president, controller, director of communications, office manager and speaker of the house.
“The executive team serves together to best serve the student body, as strive to set the tone for SGA as a whole,” Ferrer said.
APU’s next SGA president hopes to improve the communication among the student body, SGA and APU executives. He emphasized the importance of establishing a “reciprocal” conversation.
Jessup also recognizes the importance of representing the whole student body, which is considerably different, he said, than some of his past leadership roles. In the Alpha program, he worked mostly with a small group of freshmen and sophomores, and in residence life, he worked with his residents and staff.
He said some students have already approached him regarding certain projects for next year, which SGA would help initiate.
“Our eyes and ears are very open to what are we going to decide to be our legacy on campus, but I think communication between the student body and SGA and administration is going to be one of our main goals,” Jessup said.
Senior business management major Jordan Williams, current SGA president, said Jessup has been seeking out advice from him and attending student government meetings. Williams said he feels confident leaving SGA in Jessup’s hands.
“Though having the right leadership qualities is essential in order to be successful in this role, what makes Brian a distinct leader, whom I am assured will flourish, is his humble commitment to learning,” Williams said. “With Brian’s leadership and character, alongside the strong leadership and passion his team members possess, the future of SGA, and our university, is beyond hopeful.”