JASIR JONES

When Jasir Jones reflects on his journey to Cheyney University, he speaks with the confidence of someone who understands that every detour, every challenge, and every unexpected turn was preparing him for something bigger. Now a Business Administration major and the current SGA President, Jones leads with energy, authenticity, and a commitment to improving the lives of the students around him.

"God will always put you where you're supposed to be,"

Jones grew up between Philadelphia and worlds that shaped him in different ways. Philadelphia gave him his roots. Maryland gave him his voice. In high school, he rose to leadership quickly at a predominantly white institution, serving as both class president and student body president. It was there he first learned how to advocate for others, build consensus, and stay true to himself in rooms where he was often the only one who looked like him.

Cheyney wasn't his original plan. He imagined beginning his college career in Atlanta, but obstacles kept redirecting him. A conversation with a friend, followed by an unexpected scholarship opportunity, shifted everything. What he once viewed as a backup option became the place where he felt instantly connected, a place where he later discovered his grandmother, aunts, and uncles had all walked the same grounds.

"God will always put you where you're supposed to be," he says. For Jones, that place was Cheyney. From the moment he arrived on campus, Jones poured himself into leadership. Freshman Class President. Vice President of Executive Affairs. And now, SGA President for the 2025-2026 academic year. In this role, he serves as the voice of the student body, the liaison to university leadership, and the person responsible for elevating student concerns with clarity and impact.

"Student leaders are students too," he says. "We live the same struggles. My job is to make sure our concerns are not only heard, but taken seriously."

His influence stretches far beyond campus. Jones represents Cheyney at civic events across the region, from the Mayor's Ball to NAACP youth programs, sharing the significance of HBCUs, the strength of community, and the value of Cheyney's legacy.

This year, Jones gained statewide recognition when he was appointed to the Pennsylvania Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs. Established under Governor Josh Shapiro, the Commission brings African American leaders into direct conversation with state government to address inequities in education, economic opportunity, criminal justice, health outcomes, and community empowerment.

Commissioners advise the Governor, recommend policy solutions, connect with Black communities across Pennsylvania, and help shape programs that improve conditions for African American residents. Jones is now the first Cheyney student ever appointed to this Commission, a milestone that reflects not only his leadership but the power of Cheyney's presence at the state level. "It's a blessing and an opportunity," he says. "My goal is to make sure that another Cheyney student comes right after me."

Jones speaks with purpose, but also with ease. He remembers being called "world domination" as a joke because of all the goals he set for himself, becoming class president, joining leadership boards, as well as becoming a leader both on and off campus. Instead of shrinking from it, he leaned in. "If that's what they want to call it, fine," he says with a smile. "I call it pushing myself. I call it showing up for my community." What he wants future Cheyney students, especially incoming freshmen, to know is simple: "Never doubt yourself. If you want it, go get it. Your belief in yourself is the first step."

Jones talks about legacy often, not as a slogan but as a responsibility. Leadership, for him, is less about the role and more about who benefits from it. "I want to leave something behind that makes it easier for the next student coming up." With his SGA presidency, statewide appointment, and undeniable presence on campus, Jones is already shaping Cheyney's future. And with his drive, charisma, and unshakable sense of purpose, one thing is clear: Jasir Jones is just getting started.