When Alisha Mitchell visited Mercer University as a prospective student in 2022, she knew it was the place she wanted to call home for the next four years.
“Every other place I visited, I felt like just a number. However, at Mercer, whenever I attended events, I was recognized and remembered,” she said. “Dr. Kelly Holloway (who was assistant vice president for enrollment management at the time) was a guiding light in my journey. I still remember attending the Make It Mercer event where I ran up to Dr. Holloway and hugged her after receiving the last scholarship I needed. She was genuinely happy for me and became a mentor in my life. The love and support I experienced didn’t stop there, which is why I chose to stay at Mercer.”
As soon as she arrived as a freshman, Mitchell, a journalism and political science double-major, knew she wanted to be as involved as she could on campus. She saw joining the Student Government Association as a way to help her do that.
Mitchell’s previous experience with student government in middle and high school and strong connections on campus through organizations like Mercer Delight, the Organization of Black Students and the Black Law Students Association earned her the roles of freshman, sophomore and junior class president. She served as SGA’s Heritage Life committee chair for two years, where she was responsible for upholding Mercer traditions like Pilgrimage to Penfield and Founders’ Day.
Now a senior, Mitchell was elected SGA president last spring. She is the first Black woman to be elected SGA president in at least 20 years. Historical records regarding SGA presidents are incomplete, but she is believed to be the first Black woman to ever be elected SGA president.
Mitchell said while she is used to working with SGA members of various backgrounds, she feels grateful to have the chance to make history.
“I’m proud to be the first because I know I’m inspiring someone to do the same, and it’ll be a norm,” she said. “It makes me feel proud to be able to represent other Black women when they are coming up to me and saying, ‘I want to be you. This is what I want to do. This is why I came to Mercer, to get up on a stage and find my way.’ And I say, ‘You can do it here.’”
Mitchell, from Marietta, said her favorite part about being in SGA has been watching students who, like her, enter Mercer with ideas and passions and grow confident enough to execute them and, eventually, run for student government. Throughout her time in SGA, Mitchell received inspiration and encouragement from upperclassmen in the organization, something she wants to continue with the newer members.
“The bond you get to make when you’re younger with older students is amazing, and now you get to be that help with everyone who’s younger in SGA when they’re like, ‘I have this idea,’ and you can say, ‘So do it!’ It’s cool to allow people to be more creative, and it’s nice to facilitate such creativity,” she said. “In the Mercer community, everybody has an idea and a passion that they’re willing to put the time into, and I do love that.”
Mitchell, a Mercer Honors student, said Mercer’s academic culture, where students are challenged with a diverse curriculum, is part of what makes it so easy for her and other students to become involved.
“I think because the professors here encourage so much cross culture rather than department culture, it’s hard to get stuck in one place,” she said. “You wouldn’t think that people in STEM would do student government, but a lot of people in SGA are engineering majors. A lot of people are business majors. You don’t get stuck in your own bubble unless you really try to. You get to explore so much so fast.”
This year, Mitchell is focused on strengthening the relationship between SGA and the student body by utilizing social media. As president, she hopes she can create a culture of transparency and communication where students understand the role of SGA at Mercer.
“Our word for the year is ‘intentional.’ We’re being more intentional with how we communicate,” she said. “One of the things that I’m really taking more steps and intentionality toward is documenting everything that we do because SGA does a lot of good work, but everyone always asks the question, ‘Well, what does SGA actually do?’ I want to make sure people understand that because senators work so hard, and people don’t understand how much effort we really do put into SGA. We’re up at 3 a.m. some days.”
Mitchell hopes more students will feel comfortable reaching out to members of SGA.
“The one thing I want to add to Mercer is letting people know that SGA is that helping hand. You don’t have to be confused,” she said. “We know all the offices because we have to work with them for every event, so I want students to know that we are those people that can help, that SGA is the first spot you should go to if you need anything for student organizations, or even just for fun things.”
Dr. Doug Pearson, dean of students and vice president for student affairs, said it doesn’t surprise him that Mitchell is one of the students representing Mercer.
“As the advisor for the Student Government Association, I have had the pleasure of watching Alisha grow into the incredible leader that she is today. She is an effective leader, who actively seeks out ways to collaborate and build consensus with others. Everything she does, she does with passion and energy. I cannot recall a time in which she did not have a smile on her face,” he said. “Her leadership experience, combined with this natural positivity, will take her a long way in life, and I cannot wait to see what she accomplishes after graduation.”
For Mitchell, being president of SGA is a culmination of the work she hopes to do for the rest of her career.
“Being a public servant is in my blood, and helping people has always made me happy,” she said. “I think it is so important to be involved with your community because these are your peers. Involvement helps you find your place and your people. It teaches you skills you can’t always learn in the classroom — leadership, collaboration, problem-solving. And it also reminds you that you’re part of something bigger than yourself.”
