SGA president Barrett wants to build student engagement
New Student Government Association President Carsen Barrett is starting his senior year with one major goal — building a stronger campus culture at Lamar University.
“My biggest goals as SGA president this year would have to be student engagement and student involvement,” he said. “That’s why I wanted to run for a bigger platform to be able to make the differences.”
Barrett said he hopes the culture built during his time at Lamar will continue after he graduates.
“The success of others is my success,” he said. “We have no success without the student body.”
The Groves native said becoming involved at Lamar took time. He said he entered college unfocused before gradually finding his place.
“People say home is where the heart is,” he said. “Very few times have I found that to be more true than what it is at Lamar for me.”
By his junior year, Barrett founded The Flock, a student organization aimed at increasing school spirit and attendance at athletic events.
“The Montagne Center packed out is definitely something I want to see so badly,” he said. “If that doesn’t happen while I’m here, so be it, but just to keep pushing that effort. Same with the football, baseball, soccer — all the sports.”
Barrett, an athletic education major, said he also wants student organizations and athletic teams to support one another.
“SGA has the biggest opportunity to bridge the gap between student body and administration,” he said.
Communication between SGA and administration is still developing early in his term, Barrett said.
“It’s something that needs to be strengthened, but something that’s actively being strengthened,” he said.
Barrett said he will measure success through SGA’s visibility, partnerships and increased student participation.
“If we go to basketball and the student section is doubled, I count that as success,” he said.
Students should feel comfortable bringing concerns and ideas directly to SGA, Barrett said.
“Anybody can come into my office,” Barrett said. “Anybody can email me. Anybody can freaking call my personal number, I don’t care. I really am that passionate about moving Lamar in the right direction.”
At the end of his term, Barrett said he hopes students remember him as approachable and someone who cared about the campus community. He has a simple goal.
“Just leaving Lamar a better place than I found it,” Barrett said. “Give back tenfold what Lamar gave to me. That would be a pretty special thing.”
