As Miami University Regionals student body president this year, Antonio Sanders wants to make student government a vital part of campus life at the Regionals, and he has some concrete plans to make his goal a reality.

In his third year studying Applied Communication, Sanders said political activism has been a part of his life from his earliest memories. It all started with one of his most important role models, his great grandmother, Velma Sanders.

He was raised in her care, and she was active in Cincinnati politics, bringing him along to campaign events for candidates she supported. At 9, he worked alongside her on the re-election campaign of President Barack Obama. She was part of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and then the Hamilton County Democratic Party Central Committee. Sanders became involved in these organizations through her example and was eventually elected to the Democratic Central Committee in 2022, serving for  two years. 

His great grandmother is also a big part of the reason he chose Miami University Regionals. He wanted to remain close to her as she now battles dementia.

That early exposure to politics planted the seeds of interest in public service, and he has been following his passion for this work ever since.

“I’ve always had this old-fashioned conviction that the government should work for the people, especially the people who are usually overlooked,” he said. “I want to be that advocate, that change maker.”

Because he formed his ambitions early in life, Sanders said he already has big dreams for his career. He said his goal is to be the U.S. secretary of state, and maybe one day even president of the United States.

“I want to make the world a better place,” he said. “People have been telling me I was going to be the president someday since I was 5 years old.”

A Long History of Student Leadership

Serving as student body president at the Regionals is another step in his leadership skill-building plan. Sanders also served as student body president at his high school, DePaul Cristo Rey, and at his middle school, Alliance Academy, both in Cincinnati.

He will begin his second year as Regionals student body president this fall. He is proud that his team has been part of the re-introduction of student government to campus after a brief hiatus due to the pandemic.

“I want to ensure that students are considered when decisions are made. I want to use my voice to make sure their voice is heard,” he said.

His student government goals for this academic year include launching a new communication platform to help students stay on top of campus news and more easily connect with ways to get involved with campus life. 

Sanders also wants to launch a new text book exchange to improve student access to expensive text books at low to no cost. He’s created a special #MoveInMiami pledge campaign to help get this initiative launched, with a goal of raising $25,000 for the project.

In addition, he wants to improve the visibility of student government at the Middletown campus and take as many members of student government as possible to the National Leadership Conference this year in Washington, D.C.

“Student government is one of the most powerful ways students can shape their college experience. Antonio’s leadership is making that more visible and more accessible than ever before,” said Julia Pond, regional director of new student programs and engagement.

Student government should be a vital part of making the college experience better for students, he said, by helping them engage with the resources that enhance their connection with the university.

“I want to make sure students know what’s going on,” he said. “I understand the needs of students, and I can communicate with the administration, who may not be aware of what students are thinking. I am a bridge between the students and the administration, and that’s a job I love doing with my vice president and all the members of Regionals student government.”

Regionals Student Government (RSG) members typically commit about 4–6 hours per month, which includes meetings, event planning, and committee work. Students can get involved with RSG by contacting Julia Pond at pondjk@MiamiOH.edu or connecting with RSG on the Hub.