SGA President Gallop Franklin Now FSA President

Florida A&M University (FAMU) Student Government Association President Gallop Franklin II attains another presidential position, shortly after winning his second consecutive term as SGA president. Franklin was recently elected as Florida Student Association president, a positions that allows him to sit on the Florida Board of Governors.

The FSA Board of Directors assembled at the University of South Florida May 15 to elect its leadership for the up coming fiscal year. The statewide organization consists of student body presidents, along with their respective staffs, from the State University System.

“I look forward to traveling the state to participate in different town hall meetings at different universities,” said Franklin. “I plan to talk to different students about what they want to see in higher education and what type of policy they want to see come through the position opportunity that we have.”

Franklin, 22, a Tallahassee native and a third-generation Rattler will be representing more than 300,000 students across the state.

As an advocate for the student body, Franklin, a fifth-year doctorate of pharmacy candidate, will be able to influence and implement policies for Florida’s 11 public higher education institutions. Some of the issues the board addresses are student fees, tuition cost and improving programs.

“I am very excited and happy for him and the university,” said Dean Henry Kirby, associate vice president for student life. “It is an appointment he is worthy as well as prepared for.”

Franklin is the first FAMU student to serve on the Board of Governors and the third to serve as FSA president.

“It is a feeling of great accomplishment to know that a fellow Rattler now sits on the Florida Board of Governors,” said Quamaine Montgomery, 21, a junior political science student at FAMU.  “I am truly moved because I feel as if FAMU is somewhat always overlooked — as opposed to other Florida public state institutions. Hopefully Mr. Franklin sets the standard and initiates the change this educational system needs.”

According to Kirby, Franklin has a great concern for students’ issues and the knowledge to represent the university and the statewide student body.

While serving on the FAMU Board of Trustees, Franklin says he has been following higher education with the Florida Legislature through the perspective of the BOT and the BOG.

“Being on the board of trustees the previous year, I have a great and keen understanding on higher education issues and higher education policy,” he said. “Understanding higher education and being deeply rooted and involved the past year has prepared me to make the right decisions and ask the right questions in reference to implementing policy state wide.”

The Florida Board of Governors is comprised of 17 individuals — 14 members being appointed by the governor, along with the education commissioner, a faculty and a student representative.