10/01/21
Gadsden native elected SGA president at Gadsden State
Gadsden, Ala. – Carrington Evans has been elected the president of the Student Government Association at Gadsden State Community College. The 25-year-old Gadsden native is excited about his new role.
“I love Gadsden State, and I want other students to have the same awesome experience I’m having as a student,” he said. “Getting involved in student activities and organizations really improves the overall experience at Gadsden State. I want to encourage students to play an active role in the student body.”
Student Government Association President Carrington Evans
Carrington graduated in 2015 from Gadsden City High School. He worked the next six years as a teller at a local credit union. “I eventually decided that I wanted to get an education,” he said. Evans enrolled at Gadsden State for the spring semester in 2020. He is seeking an associate degree in general studies.
“I was extremely nervous,” he said. “I felt like I was failing already on the second day of school. I was a mess.” He went to Student Support Services for help. SSS assists those who are first-generation, low-income and/or disabled. The federally-funded program ensures these students receive every possible opportunity to succeed. They provided a tutor to assist Evans in his first months at Gadsden State.
“SSS and my tutor helped me get adjusted to college so I can fly on my own,” he said. “The help I received truly made a difference.”
Just when he was settling into life as a college student, the pandemic hit the U.S. and Gadsden State’s instruction transitioned to online in March. “Everything ended,” he said. “The pandemic brought in-person classes to a halt. I was so disappointed. I was stressed out. I stayed home for five months.” Thanks to Valerie Roberts, a tutoring coordinator, and Tammy Morgan, a math instructor, Evans stayed on track throughout the online learning experience.
“They pushed me and encouraged me,” he said. “They understood how stressful the pandemic and quarantining were for all of us.”
Soon, he adjusted to online learning and was able to maintain a 3.8 GPA. In addition to taking a full load at Gadsden State and leading the SGA, he also is a part-time employee at the College having worked in Financial Aid and now as a clerk in Purchasing.
Evans is excited about adding SGA president to his long list of responsibilities. He said he has many ideas to improve student life at Gadsden State, including growing active membership in the SGA; creating a lounge area in the cafeteria in the Inzer Student Center; having a pavilion built on the Wallace Drive Campus Quad to use for picnics, gatherings and study groups; and partnering with local credit unions to provide a financial wellness program for students.
“I believe in Gadsden State; I love this college,” he said. “My teachers and my co-workers make me feel like I’m already a success. I want other students to have the same experience I’ve had at Gadsden State. I want everyone to be proud to be a Gadsden State Cardinal.”
Serving with Evans on the SGA Executive Cabinet are Garen Mullen, vice president for the Ayers Campus; Kourtney Tillman, vice president for Gadsden State Cherokee; Lauren Holley, vice president for the campuses located in Gadsden; and Alexandra Booker, secretary. Advisor is Kelley Pearce, associate dean of Enrollment and Retention.