Q and A with SGA’s Charlotte Bronaugh

Charlotte Bronaugh, a senior theater major with a concentration in education from Fairfax, Virginia, serves as JMU’s 2025–26 student body president. In this role, she leads the Student Government Association, represents student perspectives to administration, and works to strengthen the JMU community. Below, she shares her experiences, goals and vision for her presidency. 

Q: How would you explain your position to someone who might not know what the student body president does at JMU? 

I wear a lot of different hats in this role. The main parts are helping run our Student Government Association and serving as a bridge between students, faculty and administration. That means I’m often in meetings advocating for students, sharing their perspectives, and also helping communicate the administration’s perspective back to students. It’s about representation, being involved in university initiatives, and helping lead our student government. 

Q: What made you want to run for student body president? 

Like many people, I fell in love with JMU right away. I’ve always been curious, with a lot of passions and ideas. When I came to JMU, I got really involved, joining different student organizations, diving into my major, and learning about campus life. A friend encouraged me to try student government, and it felt like the perfect way to meet people and make a difference. Over the years, I realized how much I loved being part of it, and I had so many ideas and people I wanted to reach. Running for student body president ended up feeling like the right next step. 

Q: As a theater major, how do you think your background makes you stand out in this role? 

I think it gives me a unique perspective. Theater is full of symbolism, messages, and deeper meaning, so I’m already used to thinking critically about big ideas. I’ve also developed a wide range of skills through theater and education including teaching, designing, building sets, performing, and presenting. Performing especially connects to this role, because so much of being student body president is about presenting, connecting and communicating with people. I think that a creative background brings a fresh lens to leadership and allows me to approach projects and conversations in a different way. 

Q: What are your top priorities for this year? 

I have three broad goals that I’m focusing on: 

• Belonging and school spirit. I want students to feel at home here, supported and excited about being a Duke. Whether that’s through school spirit traditions like wearing purple on Fridays or by making campus involvement more inclusive and accessible. 
• Clear communication. Students often feel out of the loop because there are so many platforms and emails. I want to help streamline communication and also make sure I’m articulating student perspectives to administration, while also helping students understand how the university operates and why certain decisions take time. 
• Wellness. This includes mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. I want to encourage students to take care of themselves while also pursuing their passions and responsibilities. We’re planning events to support this from multiple angles. 

Q: JMU has a new president this year. What excites you about working with him? 

I’ve already met with President Jim a few times, and I’m really impressed by his kindness and the way he’s handled the transition with such care. He asks great questions, shows genuine interest in people, and has already embraced JMU’s spirit. He even has his purple ready. I think his approach of listening first and really understanding what makes JMU special will allow us to dream big and continue improving. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together. 

Q: How has your campus involvement prepared you for this role? 

Each experience I’ve had has shaped me in some way. Orientation has been especially formative; I started as a FROG, then became an OPA, and this year I’ve served on the leadership team. That’s helped me grow as a facilitator and as someone who makes others feel comfortable. Through the University Program Board, I’ve learned how to plan inclusive events that get students excited. Theater has taught me about identity and storytelling, while tour guiding has helped me connect with prospective students. All of these roles have made me more confident, personable, and able to see situations from multiple perspectives. 

Q: You’re helping with JMU’s master plan. Can you share more about that? 

Yes! Every few years, JMU develops a new master plan that outlines the university’s future, especially in terms of construction, projects and campus growth. Right now, the plan is wrapping up for the next cycle, so this is a chance to hear from students about what they want to see and to advocate for changes that may not happen immediately but can be set up for success in future years. It’s a really exciting way for students to have a voice in shaping campus. 

Q: What do you hope your legacy as student body president will be? 

I hope people walk away feeling like they made the most of their time here and know about all the opportunities available to them. I also want students to feel proud of JMU and to see it as a place worth cheering for, representing, and carrying with them even after graduation. Building school spirit and belonging across campus and beyond would be a legacy I’d love to leave. 

Q: If you could implement one major change at JMU today, what would it be? 

On a fun level, I’d love to see “Purple Fridays” really take off. Imagine walking across campus and seeing seas of purple everywhere. On a bigger scale, expanding Bridgeforth Stadium would be incredible. A lot of my ideas connect back to school spirit because I think it’s such an important part of building community and pride at JMU. 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the JMU community? 

I want people to know that I’m a resource. I love JMU because of the people here, and I’m always excited to hear ideas and support others. If you told me during my first year that I’d end up as student body president, I never would have believed it. So, my message to students, faculty and community members is to dream big, because you never know what doors will open. Dukes don’t just hold doors, they open them.