Newly elected Student Government Association President-elect Myles Wilson and Vice President-elect Chancellor Bacon are moving quickly from campaign to purpose. Following the election results, announced Wednesday, April 15, both Wilson and Bacon will focus on connection, access and building community at Alabama State University.

In an interview with The Hornet Tribune conducted immediately after the announcement, the two reflected on their journeys and their plans to close what they described as a gap between student leadership and the student body.

“I want to make State feel like home again,” Wilson said. “There should not be a gap between SGA and the student body. We are not above anyone.”

When asked why they chose the university, both pointed to personal experience.

“Why not?” Wilson said, explaining that his path to the university was not always clear.

“I didn’t even want to come to college at all,” Wilson said.  “So sitting here in front of you now, it’s surreal.”

He said he had no initial plans to pursue higher education, making his current role as president-elect unexpected.

“There were times when I wasn’t on the right path,” he said.

Wilson, a junior radio and television communications major from Atlanta, said attending the university was one of the best decisions he made, calling it an opportunity that gave him a chance when others would not.

When asked what he plans to do with his degree, Wilson pointed to his interest in media and content creation.

“I have a podcast right now,” he said. “I want to open a podcast studio and create a space for content creation.”

He said the goal is to remove financial barriers for students interested in media and to expand opportunities within the university’s communications media department.

“When I was growing up, I couldn’t afford it,” Wilson said. “Studio time can be expensive. I want students to know it’s possible to create content and make videos without that barrier.”

Bacon, a junior biology pre-med major from Albany, Georgia, said his decision to attend the university was rooted in familiarity and a sense of belonging.

Referencing area codes, he pointed to “334,” Montgomery’s area code, and “229,” his hometown area code, saying the connection stood out to him.

“I’m a hometown kid, a small-town kid, very family-oriented,” Bacon said. “So coming to Alabama State, it just felt like home.”

He said his parents were also comfortable with his decision to attend the university and encouraged him to pursue something different.

“When I came to visit, everybody spoke, everybody showed love,” he said. “It just felt right.” Bacon said he feels blessed to be selected and honored to serve in the role of vice president-elect.

Both Wilson and Bacon emphasized that their leadership will center on service to the student body.

Together, the two described their leadership as a balance of engagement and accountability, with a focus on making student leadership more accessible.

“For some reason, people think you can’t talk to SGA or approach us,” Wilson said. “That’s not true. We want students to feel comfortable coming to us.”

Wilson also emphasized inclusion, particularly for non-traditional students.

“They go through the same things,” he said. “Just because they’re older doesn’t mean they shouldn’t feel like they belong.”

The pair said they also plan to strengthen connections with alumni and rebuild a sense of community across campus.

“We just want to turn the State around,” Wilson said. “Not only community-wise, but connection-wise, including with alumni. We want to bring that family feeling back.”

Wilson and Bacon have not yet been officially sworn in. The Hornet Tribune will follow up with a formal interview once they assume office on May 1.