Justin Crawford and Nia Robertson seem to have a clear vision of what they plan on accomplishing if they’re elected Brockport Student Government president and vice president for the upcoming school year.

Crawford and Robertson, both juniors, have known each other since freshman year and on-campus involvement is nothing new to them.

Crawford, running for president, is majoring in African and African American studies and Sociology. He’s currently a townhomes assistant, works for BSG as a senator, and is a part of the Men of Color club on campus.

As the Equity Diversity and Inclusion chair for BSG, Crawford says he plans to carry through those same values into presidency.

“We figure out ways we can reach out to students with various identities and from there seeing what gaps can we fill in on campus, what areas we are lacking in Brockport and how we can help students,” said Crawford. “A lot of the work I’ve been able to do has really been gearing up to what I want to project as president, not only taking my own ideas because a lot of great ideas have come from coworkers and using that to make one big foundation.”

Crawford says he’s able to navigate both spaces — the administration and the students, which would help him serve as sort of a translator between students, staff and administration. He wants to help administration understand where students are coming from.

When deciding who he wanted to run with him, he says it was not a hard choice. He asked himself who would, challenge him, push him, and keep him on his A-game. Advisors and mentors both thought of the same person he did — Nia Robertson.

Robertson, running for vice president, is also majoring in African and African American studies and has a double major in Dance. She is the events coordinator and dance coordinator for the African Student Union, or ASU. She’s a BSG senator and you can also find her working at the library.

She says she wants to continue to promote positive change at Brockport, geared to unity, diversity and inclusion. She says the steps they’re already taking toward that can be amplified if elected.

Crawford and Robertson both agree on one thing they want to accomplish if elected — transparency, diversity, equity and inclusion.

So why should you vote for Crawford and Robertson?

Here’s what they would say to that:

“The first thing that comes to mind is that in the past few months is all we’ve been planning is how we’re dedicating ourselves to Brockport, Brockport student body, and all the things that relate to how we can handle this job and be there from commencement to commencement,” said Crawford. “In terms of the two of us, we’ve dedicated ourselves to being there through no matter what circumstance. And I think just the perspectives that we come from, noticing that a lot of the voices that are unheard on campus are usually marginalized communities and groups. I can’t speak for every group or identity of student, but I can find somebody that can. That’s what it comes down to — how do we make students into leaders so they can be successful beyond that. I can’t be just the face for Brockport, Nia can’t be just the face for Brockport, it’s all of us. But it does start somewhere and I really think it could start with us.”

Nia echoed his thoughts:

“I’m going to talk for myself — the things that I’ve been through, at no point did I choose to give up. Yeah it was extremely hard, it’s hard now. This semester is a lot for everybody and you want to just break and give up but that’s not something that’s in me,” said Robertson. “Challenges come but they’re only there to mold you and make you stronger and better. You should vote for us. We’re not going to let you down.”

You can watch the entire interview, aired by Talon TV here.

Voting begins April 12 and runs through April 17. You can cast your ballot through myBrockport.