Student Leadership – Students walking the talk on campus

IN CHARGE

THE STUDENT BODY IS WHAT MAKES UNIVERSITIES TICK. HERE ARE JUST A FEW LEADERS IN FLORIDA WHO ARE MAKING IT HAPPEN ON THEIR HBCU CAMPUSES.

JONATHAN WIGGINS DRUM MAJOR Florida A&M University

Inspired by his father who marched with Florida A&M University’s famed Marching 100, Jonathan Wiggins had very little doubt about where he would attend college. The senior Economics major from Orlando grew up attending the Florida Classic. It was there, one year, he was sparked not only to play an instrument in the band, but also to lead it. After his first couple of years in college, his belief in his ability to make a positive impact on his peers drove him to try out for drum major…and he got it.

“Go for it,” he says about bringing one’s dreams to fruition. “Whenever you do something new, there will always be strains and struggles, but you have to train and push yourself beyond your limits.”

When he lives by those words, he sees fruit. Wiggins says that to date, the most rewarding experience has been leading the Marching 100 across Camping World Stadium field during the Florida Classic.

“I’m the only one on the squad from Orlando, so it means so much to me to perform in and for my hometown. The game has a great name and great reputation and to be able to build upon it is important to me,” he said.

Being a stellar student and leader in one of the nation’s most noted bands does not come without its challenges, but Wiggins is up for it. As drum major, he is the first to get there and the last to leave—practice, that is. But his time management skills are strong and he plans his week so he gets everything done.

That attitude will be a perfect match for his post-college plans. Wiggins says he will join his family’s businesses as a finance expert. His father, ArchBishop Allen Wiggins, is pastor of one of Orlando’s most respected churches, The Hope Church, and is among ONYX Magazine’s Men of Honor. The family business includes owning and managing housing entities and Village Square Mall in Orlando. Jonathan Wiggins is eager to join his family to continue impacting the community and putting in the work.

“Faith without works is dead,” Jonathan Wiggins says, referring to the Bible passage from James 2:14-26. “A lot of times people have big dreams but don’t do the work. You have to take steps, understanding the relationship and leadership skills from that will set you up for success.”

He is already on his way. JALON JONES QUARTERBACK Bethune-Cookman University

Jalon Jones played for the Jackson State University Tigers as a freshman and sophomore in 2019 and the 2021 spring season, according to the “Daytona Beach News-Journal.” He served as their first starting quarterback under current head coach Deion Sanders, who was hired in 2020, before he was benched and ultimately transferred—first to Mississippi Delta Community College and then to Bethune-Cookman. As a four-star recruit in Richmond, Virginia, Jones originally committed to the University of Florida out of high school but left Gainesville for Jackson State after one semester. Of his teammates at B-CU, he says, “I love and respect those guys. They come out and fight no matter what is going on. They are disciplined and hard-working. I have a lot of respect for them.”

JEREMY MOUSSA QUARTERBACK Florida A&M University

Jeremy Moussa is from Chino Hills, Calif., where he attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School. He threw for more than 7,000 yards in high school, breaking "virtually every" passing record for Roosevelt, according to Vanderbilt's athletic department. After originally signing with Hawaii and playing in two games for the Rainbow Warriors, Moussa ended up back in California, playing for San Bernardino Valley College. He led that team to a 9-2 record and a conference title. Moussa finished with 3,179 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and nine interceptions on a 53 percent completion rate before breaking his ankle to end his season.

ZACHARY C. BELL STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT & UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE Florida A&M University

Zachary C. Bell is a business administration scholar from “The Ville that runs the Hill” Jacksonville, Fla. He is a third-generation Rattler continuing to build on the rich legacy his family has on the highest of seven hills. Zachary currently serves as Student Government Association President and University Trustee. He began his service in SGA his freshman year when he was elected to the 49th Student Senate. Since then, he has served in many leadership roles including Senate President. Zachary was awarded Sophomore Senator of the Year for the 2020-2021 academic year.

MAKIRA BURNS STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT Florida A&M University

Makira Jalisa Burns is a fourth-year political science student minoring in pre-law from Orlando, Fla. She is a proud first-generation college student with ambitions of becoming a lawyer. Makira has served within the Florida A&M University Student Senate since her freshman year of college. She was named a Florida Gubernatorial Fellow for the 2021-2022 academic year. She also has experience working for the United States Department of State where she interns at the U.S. Embassy in London, England, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Florida House of Representatives. She is the Founder of Igniting Scholars, a non-profit organization dedicated to preparing students to excel in their collegiate careers and life after college.

WILBERT ANTON STUBBS STUDENT GOVERNMENT Bethune-Cookman University

Bahamian student Wilbert Anton Stubbs has been elected President of Bethune-Cookman University’s Student Government Association, becoming the sixth Bahamian to hold this distinction. Stubbs, a proud Grand Bahama native, is the son of popular Bahamian personality Will Stubbs. The Mass Communications major previously served as SGA Vice President and Executive Secretary. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, Delta Beta Chapter.

FAMU CELEBRATES CORONATION OF MISS AND MISTER FAMU

The Student Body of FAMU convened Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, and proclaimed Aliya Everett Miss Florida A&M University and Armani Jones Mister Florida A&M University. Coronation is a tradition that has been alive for over 30 years. Junior cardiopulmonary science student Jones and senior broadcast journalism student Everett were elected this past spring to serve in the prestigious role. Everett is a first-generation Rattler. She thanked her mom for her support and said she is starting her legacy at FAMU for generations to come. Her parents met when his father was a. U.S. serviceman stationed in Germany. When the family returned to the U.S., they settled in Blountstown, Florida, where Everett attended schools. She later graduated from Chipola College in Marianna before transferring to FAMU. “This is something that I have been working toward for years now and that the moment of being coronated meant everything,” said Everett, the first transfer student to be elected Miss FAMU. Jones spoke about how emotional it was for him to be elected to serve as Mr. FAMU. “It was definitely a very full moment for me, I was not expecting to be experienced with so many emotions yesterday,” said Jones. “Before they opened the door for me to walk down the aisle, I had a moment to myself, like

Mister and Miss FAMU

this is something that I have worked towards and prayed so hard for, so to see all the people there that have supported me along the way and have supported me and Aliya, it is something that makes me realize that I am very blessed and FAMU has given me a lot so I am looking forward to serving and enjoying my homecoming week.