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Kevoni Neely ’25, outgoing president of the Associated Students of the �������� (ASUPS), is wrapping up her final semester after serving as a key student leader on campus. Neely, who is graduating with a major in African American Studies and a minor in Crime, Law, & Justice Studies, reflects on her time advocating for her fellow students and the university.

In the following Q&A, Neely discusses the challenges of student representation, lessons from leadership, and her plans after graduation. She also offers advice to students looking to make a difference on campus.

Looking back on your time as ASUPS President, what's been the most significant challenge you faced, and what did you learn from it?

The most significant challenge I faced as ASUPS President was learning how to navigate the balance between representing student voices and working with institutional systems that move much slower than students' needs often demand. There were moments where I felt like a bridge between two different worlds. I had to learn how to stay persistent without burning out, how to negotiate, and how to keep students engaged even when the process dragged on longer than we wanted. What I learned from them is the power of patience and pressure. Real change doesn’t always happen at the pace we want, but that doesn't mean it's not happening. My experience as ASUPS president was challenging. It was demanding. But it was one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had.

I see you are majoring in African American Studies and minoring in Crime, Law, & Justice Studies. How have these programs influenced your approach to leadership and advocacy?

Majoring in African American Studies has grounded me in a deep understanding of systemic oppression, resistance, and the ways Black communities have always led with innovation, care, and courage, even when the odds were stacked. It’s given me a framework for thinking critically about power and justice, but also a sense of pride and cultural legacy that fuels the way I show up in leadership spaces. I don't just think about what we're fighting for, I think about how we do it, and who we center in the process.

Minoring in Crime, Law, & Justice Studies has added another layer; it's pushed me to examine the legal and institutional systems that uphold inequality, and it's sharpened my ability to ask tough questions about fairness, accountability, and policy. It’s helped me navigate leadership with both a critical eye and a practical toolkit. I can sit in a meeting and think through both the social impact and the structural mechanics behind a decision.

Together, these programs have taught me that leadership isn't just about being at the front; it's about listening deeply, disrupting when needed, and building toward something better. I try to lead with that kind of vision every day.

As you prepare to graduate, what are your plans for the near future? How do you think your experiences at Puget Sound, especially as a student leader, will influence your next steps?

As I get ready to graduate, I'm planning to pursue law school. I want to continue doing the kind of work that challenges systems and creates space for equity, justice, and liberation. My time at Puget Sound, especially serving as ASUPS president, has shown me the impact of community building and advocacy from within institutions. It’s also reminded me that change is possible when you show up consistently.

I carry those lessons with me into whatever comes next. Law school is part of a larger journey, one where I hope to keep fighting for the world I want to see, with the tools, clarity, and community I’ve gained here.

What advice would you give to incoming or current students who want to make a difference on campus, whether through student government or other avenues?

Start where you are and don't be afraid to not have all the answers. Growth begins with curiosity, and learning is a powerful process in itself. You don't have to have a title or a perfect plan to make a difference; you just have to be willing to listen, to act, and to stay committed, even when it’s hard. Whether it's through student government, activism, art, or simply showing up for your peers, there are so many ways to lead and build community.

Also, find your people. Change doesn’t happen alone, and it shouldn’t. Surround yourself with folks who believe in something bigger, who challenge you, and who remind you why the work matters. And finally, don’t forget to rest. This work is a marathon, not a sprint, and you’re allowed to be a whole person while doing it.

If you could sum up your Puget Sound experience in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?

If I had to sum up my Puget Sound experience in one word, it would be “unfolding” because nothing about my journey has been linear. I arrived unsure of who I was, and over time, through community, challenge, joy, and deep reflection, I started to peel back layers. I discovered new parts of myself and slowly began to grow into the kind of leader and person I want to be. Puget Sound didn’t give me all the answers, but it gave me space to explore, evolve, and keep unfolding into who I’m becoming, and for that, I’m grateful.