Muna’s Way: Leading students after a Pandemic
October 29, 2022
By Amadeus Swagerty, Staff Writer
For the illustrious Xavier University to uphold its legacy, it requires not only impressive students but also community-centered, humble and wise leadership. And even though he touts a schedule full of extracurriculars, classes and responsibilities, Munachismo Ugoh, or Muna as his peers call him, Xavier’s current Student Government Association president, is the first one to rally his classmates together for action be it to advocate for campus events, COVID-19 contingencies for student, or even longer library hours.
“I believe my leadership style is one that focuses on delegation and development of my team. I always make sure to maximize the skills of those around me so we can be as efficient as possible,” Ugoh said. “When leading through COVID the situation was definitely unique, I had to learn how to adapt and become flexible through different circumstances,” he recalled.
Adaptability is an accurate word to describe Ugoh as from the beginning of his tenure as a Xavierite, he has been an active part of serving the university’s community.
He got involved in campus life as a residential assistant, the vice president of the SGA, and most importantly, being a friend to an innumerable amount of people on campus, he shared. However, being such a pillar in the community was not initially what Ugoh expected or desired of his college career.
“Coming to school in New Orleans was really intimidating, especially being an international student. I had fear that I wasn’t good enough or wouldn’t be accepted,” said Ugoh, who is a native of Lagos, Nigeria.
“But now it definitely feels like a family and I’m assured that I’m comfortable and can accomplish what I set my mind to. The most memorable lesson I’ve learned is that it’s important to have compassion as it keeps you centered on your why so you remember that it’s not about you, but the students,” Ugoh explained.
Now in his senior year, Xavier’s student body president has seen his own growth, but there still were times of struggle. Though he loves serving the people, Ugoh’s brow furrowed as he described desires of anonymity as the pressure to perform and interact grew at times, as he served in office.
“The biggest obstacle I faced while in office is learning how to delegate and trust my team to be a support system,” recounts Ugoh. “It’s important to trust in yourself and in your ability but also trust in the students.”
He wants to ensure that students are able to contribute to Xavier’s legacy while they are still here and not only when they graduate.
“My faith has always been in God and while leading the school it remains so. However, I also have faith in the student body, because we as students are true investors at our institution and we all strive to create a more just and humane society,” he said.
The weight of being a university student body president can be heavy, yet Ugoh shared he does not waste time worrying about the problems that are inconsequential.
“The experience of being president will help me forge my future,” the public health/pre-medicine major said. “I will use the experience as lessons in my future endeavors that will guide me to help create a more just and humane society.”
Before he knows it, he will join the class of 2023 to graduate in May. Until then however, the students’ trust, campus events, and possibly even extended library hours find a home and advocate in SGA president Muna Ugoh’s trusted hands.
“When I leave I want to be able to leave an impact on students where they can say they truly saw the change, were the change and felt the change. I want to be able to have developed leaders who can surpass even me,” Ugoh said.
