When concerns arise on Howard University’s campus, the Howard University Student Association (HUSA) is intended to provide students with a platform to voice those concerns and advocate for change. As the class of 2030 finds its place on Howard’s campus, HUSA leaders are encouraging incoming students to become involved in student advocacy.
HUSA’s Student Advocacy Director Tre Sheats, a junior business management major from Nashville, Tennessee, was first inspired to get involved in 2019 when he toured Howard for the first time. During his visit, he encountered students protesting housing conditions, and as a prospective student, it made him question if Howard was the institution he wanted to attend.
“This moment became transformative when my tour guide reframed what we were witnessing not as chaos but as courage,” Sheats said. “I began to see beyond the protest itself and became inspired by the students’ passion and willingness to advocate for themselves and their community.”
Sheats’ first experience on campus inspired him to apply for a position in the First-Year Associate (FYA) program within HUSA. In this program, first-time college students are placed in a department where they can develop professionally by strengthening their problem-solving skills and gaining a comprehensive understanding of student government.
Alexia Burford, HUSA’s director of special projects and programs and a senior psychology major from Chesapeake, Virginia, said the program’s value comes from the perspective that first-year students bring to student government.
“As student leaders, it’s easy to assume we know what students need, but our newest Bison are experiencing Howard with fresh eyes,” Burford said.
Burford also encouraged those who are interested in doing advocacy on campus to focus on service before seeking out a title. Burford said advocacy starts with listening to students’ concerns before trying to speak for them.
“The most effective leaders aren’t necessarily the loudest; they are the ones who are willing to show up consistently, build trust, and turn concerns into action,” Burford said.
Although the FYA program has served as a branch for incoming freshmen to get involved on campus, HUSA President Jeremey Allman, a senior honors political science major from Queens, New York, emphasized that this program is not the only way to make an impact on Howard’s campus when students first arrive.
“I applied for the First Year Associate program for student advocacy and I got rejected. Today, I’m talking to you as the 66th Howard University Student Association President,” Allman said.
As Allman anticipates upcoming initiatives for the 26-27 academic year, he said his once-rejected application redirected him to becoming an advocate through other avenues.
“There are programs just like this within your own schools and colleges; don’t think that that’s the only opportunity for you. There are intern programs within other organizations,” he said.
Allman’s experience with student government began during his freshman year, when he served as vice president of the College of Arts and Sciences Freshman Council. He said it helped him build skills that have continued to shape his academic and professional goals.
“It’s within student government that I learned how to do an elevator pitch, how to construct a nice resume,” he said.
Allman encourages incoming freshmen to approach their involvement with the same intentionality, exploring organizations and leadership opportunities that align with their interests and future goals.
Looking ahead to the 2026-27 academic year, Allman said the 66th student administration plans to focus on addressing student concerns while expanding opportunities and services for students. Proposed initiatives include an airport pickup service for international students, efforts to expand dining options, campus safety initiatives and making Bison IDs available through Apple and Google Wallet.
Burford encouraged students to consider HUSA as one way to become involved, while emphasizing that leadership can take many forms, whether it’s through HUSA, community service, or another student organization.
“Every student has the ability to make an impact. If your motivation is to leave Howard better than you found it, you’ll always find a place to lead,” Burford said.
Copy edited by Sydney Middleton
