Terrance Stewart is the president of CSUN's Black Student Union (BSU). Photo Credit: Donnella Collison / Staff Reporter

For Terrance Stewart, being a leader on campus is not only a way to pad a resume, but it has become his passion, one he discovered during his freshman year at CSUN.

Stewart, a 20 year-old criminology major and president of the Black Student Union (BSU), said that even in high school he recognized the importance of being a good leader by being the captain of his school’s football and wrestling teams.

Stewart, also a member of CSUN’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Association of Black Students (NSBE) and Harambee Student Association, said being a student leader not only taught him responsibility, but the importance of being a role model.

“It taught me to be a good role model. I am not older; I am the same age as my peers. And as a leader, people do pay attention to what I do,” Stewart said.

Stewart said he wants to become even more conscious of what he does and aims to set a good example for his peers.

His goals and aspirations have always been a driving force in his life.

“There was never a question about whether I would graduate high school. I always expected to be here in college. I have always had high expectations,” Stewart said.

He hopes of one day attending law school and using his career, whatever it might be, to help troubled youth and to best serve his community.

Stewart’s goals for his organization are to ensure that the black students at CSUN become more aware of their voice and power and learn to use it for the betterment of the community. He also aims to facilitate more cultural awareness and community service.

As for his more personal goals, he is trying to raise his grade point average and possibly open his own landscaping business, which he describes as his craft.

“There is always room for improvement and I am always trying to do my best,” Stewart said.

For Stewart, his life with the BSU and social life have seemingly merged, making the balancing act between his duties as a student and as a student leader more manageable.

“My social life surrounds BSU. When I hang out with friends, a lot of them are also members and its BSU time. But it’s worth it,” Stewart said.

Stewart says that there is still a need for black students to be encouraged and uplifted and that one of his goals as president is to “build unity and togetherness among black students.”

“It’s important, especially in these times of economic hardships where blacks are already seen as being at the bottom of the totem pole,” Stewart said.