Demarcus Joiner, a junior civil engineering major from Roanoke, Alabama, was recently elected Student Government Association president for the 2020-21 term.
Joiner was inaugurated on March 31. Things looked a little different this year, but the University’s online learning shift didn’t slow things down. It was, virtually, business as usual.
“It’s definitely been a unique experience doing things online,” Joiner said. “It was odd not to stand in front of the Gorgas House to take my oath, but the whole virtual inauguration ran so smoothly on Facebook Live, and it was quite memorable. We’ve since done all of our interviews and executive council meetings via Zoom.”
Joiner comes to the position with significant experience. Last year, he served as SGA’s vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion.
“In my role last year, I had the opportunity to meet so many students,” he said. “I had an impact on their lives, and they had a huge impact on mine. As president, I know I can build on that. I plan to enhance the student experience, student engagement, student environment and student equity, and to make sure that all students know they belong and have a place at UA.”
One of Joiner’s primary goals as president is to work with UA’s Counseling Center to develop additional resources for students. He also plans to create a campus relations committee, where students from different campus communities have the opportunity to regularly meet with SGA to share concerns.
Since arriving at UA three years ago, Joiner has taken full advantage of the student life experience, involving himself in Collegiate 100, National Society for Black Engineers, the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, or LSAMP, program and the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, to name a few.
In his spare time, his favorite thing to do is sing, and he participates in the Afro American Gospel Choir as often as he can.
Joiner is hopeful that his presidency will have a meaningful impact on students and the campus community.
“I love the people at UA,” he said. “I love that there are people from so many different places, with different views and ideas, and I love how we can all come together at the end of the day and be one. After my presidency, I hope students will be able to say that I was the real definition of a servant leader, that I served all students and made sure their voices were heard.”
After graduation, Joiner plans to attend law school, in preparation for a career in public service.