Florida A&M University (FAMU) student leaders returned from the 2025 National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP) Conference, where they attended sessions and workshops on leadership, advocacy, and student participation.  The gathering brought together university administrators and young leaders from HBCUs across the country.

For some, the conference served as a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with authenticity.

“The greatest leaders I’ve met were the ones who could say ‘I’m not okay’ and still show up, not pretending, but being present,” said Miles Howard, the 26^th Mister Florida A&M University, who attended various breakout sessions with administrators from across the country. “You don’t have to be perfect every day. The best leaders are the ones who can still be there in the moment.”

Another session focused on how leaders can better support their peers and teams, especially when managing large-scale initiatives such as campus events.

“One of the biggest things that I took away was understanding the importance of checking on your team,” said Kennedy Williams, Florida A&M University SGA Vice-President. “Right now, my team and I are working on homecoming, which can get very overwhelming. But you must make sure to check on your team so that everyone is mentally well, they know exactly what they’re supposed to be doing, and that everyone's on one accord.”

“This conference reaffirmed to me that as FAMU we are not alone, and we have a network of HBCUs, who are open and willing to help each other out,” said Williams. "There are many other HBCU’s who go through and are going through the same thing as us and because of that, it is important to understand that we are in this together and need to pour into our HBCU community.”

The student leaders returned with more than just an experience. They also brought home a few awards:

• SGA President Zayla Bryant: 2025 Best Display of Leadership
• SGA Vice President Kennedy Williams: 2025 Most Poppin’ Female
• Miss Florida A& M University Edwina Fleuridor: 2025 Most Poppin’ Female

As FAMU continues to foster student leadership and academic excellence, students encourage their peers to take advantage of professional development opportunities like NASAP. Their message: show up, be open, and be ready to grow.

“We are Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. We bragg different. We set the standard,” said Howard. “So first off, go in there with confidence, go in there with energy, and be genuine. We are Rattlers; if you were chosen to lead, step into that. You got it.”

The insights and strategies from the conference that will help FAMU students enhance campus engagement and student affairs initiatives, were shared by Cateatra Mallard, director of the Efferson Student Union & Activities.

“Students have so many great ideas but often are unsure on where to start or how to navigate a process. They learned key concepts and strategies from other advisors and their peers,” said Mallard. “Having the opportunity to engage with other peer institutions affords our students to be introduced and exposed to other university cultures and backgrounds. These learning opportunities contribute to greater connections within our campus community for the larger student body.”

The 2025 NASAP Conference offered FAMU student leaders a space to be seen, heard, and supported while equipping them with the tools to strengthen their impact on campus and beyond.

“Go into it with an open mind,” Williams advised. “Just because you do it this way at FAMU or at your internship doesn’t mean that’s how it’s done universally. Be open to new advice, take notes, and reflect on how you can apply what you learned, not just at school, but throughout your career.”

For more information about leadership development programs and future conferences, contact the Office of Student Affairs or visit www.famu.edu.

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