The Legacy of 64th HUSA President Jay Jones

The sun spilled across the patio of Sankofa Cafe as Jay Jones sat with a lighthearted smile, waving and talking to friends and strangers. 

Here, the 64th Howard University Student Association (HUSA) Executive President opened up about the journeys that shaped her trajectory of leadership: the struggles of owning her identity while possessing the quiet strength it took to lead the student body in the public eye.

Jones, a senior political science major, and strategic legal communications minor from Fort Worth Texas by way of Greensboro, North Carolina, described her presidency as a “whirlwind” with positive, negative and exhausting moments. 

Before entering office, Jones experienced her own struggles in private. Due to health complications, she said she had to have three surgeries at the Howard University Hospital while juggling personal issues.

“While all of that was going on, in the background I also had a very rocky relationship with my parents because I wasn’t very out to my parents. I was discovering my gender identity, who I was and who I was becoming,” Jones said.

Navigating these personal battles while also making history as Howard’s first openly transgender HUSA president added another layer to Jones’ journey.

“And throughout all of that happening in the background of my story, in the foreground, all you can see is ‘Oh Jay Jones is accomplishing so much,’” she said.

Jones believed it was those private challenges—not just her roles or achievements—that truly shaped her, as she had to learn how to carry the weight of public leadership while also protecting her mental health.

“With as much love as my presidency received, it received its fair share of backlash and hate. That took a mental toll that I don’t think I was ready or prepared for, especially with how public the position was,” Jones said.

The backlash Jones faced wasn’t always loud, but it was persistent. Despite the emotional cost, Jones kept her eyes fixed on what drove her to lead in the first place: advocacy and service.

“In whatever position I serve in, my priority has always been to be an advocate for the kids that need somebody or that feel like no one’s going to listen to them, or they have no solutions,” Jones said.

The administration faced a number of challenges from the beginning, such as being in a deficit. Working with limited funds, Jones recalled brainstorming late into the night with her team, looking for innovative ways to stretch their budget without sacrificing student engagement or support. 

Still, Jones believes the team handled every challenge with grace and grit. She noted their commitment to staying composed and informed under pressure.

The platform for the administration’s campaign was “Onward” because “We are at a point of no return. We can only go forward. It can only go onward,” Jones said.

Naesoj Ware, a junior political science and philosophy major from Boston and chief of staff of the 64th HUSA administration, believes the platform’s core message showed in how Jones led the team. Ware will also be taking on the role of 65th HUSA Executive President next year.

“She has proven throughout the entire administration that Onward was about bringing people to the table and amplifying student voices,” Ware said.

Ware said that during Jones’ tenure, she helped bring student voices into rooms where decisions were being made, particularly around housing and long-term planning. 

Early in the academic year, Ware said the administration collaborated with the Office of Real Estate and Development to secure The Lanes at Union Market as an off-campus housing option, alleviating urgent housing shortages for upperclassmen.

Ware added that Jones also worked closely with university leadership to advocate for the integration of the new strategic plan focused on student-centered development, which is set to be implemented over the next two years. And as her presidency wraps up, she’s helping coordinate “Senior Week” to celebrate graduating students.

Jones said she initially had her sights set on chief of staff, with no intentions of being president.

“I wanted the most behind-the-scenes role possible. But, I had a passion for advocacy and to serve and that passion led me to the presidency, and so much more,” Jones said.

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Zyier Wilcher, a Howard spring 2023 graduate, served as a mentor to Jones during his time at Howard and helped inspire her to step into the role of presidency. 

Wilcher noted that during her time at Howard, Jones grew even more confident in herself, both personally and professionally. Watching her come into her own was something he described as incredible to witness.

“She’s going to leave behind an unforgettable legacy. She has such a natural capacity for leadership. There’s going to be books about her, stories, movies, all of that,” Wilcher said.

Looking ahead, Jones hopes to leave behind a legacy rooted in love, as the people of Howard— not the titles, institutions or events—are what made her journey possible.

“If you place more emphasis and love into the administration and buildings, you’ll never get the development that you wish for. The reason I became who I am today is because of the mentors, the students, the people who poured into me,” Jones said.

Now, as she prepares to graduate and soon move to Ohio for her career, Jones said she is feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion.

“I’ve been in leadership here at Howard University my entire career here in some way, shape, or form. Because the university and the community of said university have given me so much, I always felt an obligation to give back to them,” Jones said.

But she also knows the end of one chapter means the beginning of another—for her and for the next student leaders. 

“I find joy that there’s going to be another ‘Jay Jones—but they won’t go by Jay Jones, they’ll go by something much greater,” Jones said.

Jones sat, sun rays illuminating her face. She closed her eyes and sighed—not a sigh of sorrow, but one of peace. This marks the spirit of her departure

“I find love and safety in knowing my time here is up. Change is good,” Jones added.

Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau