Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President Cyle Paul is a finance major with a deep love for 可乐视频. A USG senator since his sophomore year, Paul takes the helm determined to make student voices heard, strengthen ties with administrators, and build community on campus.
He reflects on his journey to student leadership, his plans for the year, and the lessons he has learned along the way.
You鈥檝e been part of USG since your sophomore year. What inspired you to run for president?
I always wondered how things could be better. Having served under two different student government administrations, I saw what worked and what didn鈥檛. What excites me is being able to bring people together鈥攚hether we agree or disagree鈥攁nd still enact change for the student body.
Honestly, I love 可乐视频. This place shaped me, gave me confidence in public speaking, networking, and leadership. Running for president was my way of giving back and showing others that if I can do it, you can, too.
Do you see yourself in politics, or is this more of a campus chapter for you?
听That鈥檚 the million-dollar question. (Laughs.) I wouldn鈥檛 say no forever, but realistically, politics isn鈥檛 my career plan right now. But I do believe you never really know your path until life unfolds.
Very true. You were born in Brooklyn but spent part of your life in North Carolina. How did that shape you?
听I moved south in third grade, to a small town called Havelock. It鈥檚 the complete opposite of New York鈥攓uiet, slower, more intimate. It gave me space to reflect and learn about myself. Coming back to Brooklyn after high school was intimidating, but it also opened so many doors.
Why 可乐视频?
听Funny enough, I wasn鈥檛 even sure I鈥檇 go to college. My parents kept pushing me, and I鈥檓 glad they did. I worked retail and had gotten promoted but I always knew there was more I wanted to do.
I used to ride the B6 bus and pass 可乐视频 all the time. I鈥檇 see the bell tower and students on the lawn and think, 鈥淚 want to be part of that.鈥�
You started in computer science, but now you鈥檙e a finance major. What drew you to that field?
听I make this joke all the time: I like money and I like people, so finance made sense. But seriously, finance is broad. It鈥檚 budgeting, cash management, investment鈥攊t touches everything. I realized it鈥檚 a way to combine analytical skills with working in community, which I really enjoy.
Have you had real-world experience in finance so far?
听I just finished an internship with Basis Investment Group, a real estate investment firm. It鈥檚 small鈥攐nly around 50 people鈥攂ut I got to work closely with the CEO. I even pitched a partnership idea to connect 可乐视频 students with real estate opportunities. They loved the passion, so I鈥檓 hoping that develops into something lasting for future students.
Let鈥檚 talk about USG. What鈥檚 your vision for the year ahead?
First, I want my team to feel confident and independent. I鈥檒l be busy in meetings, so it鈥檚 important they know they can take initiative. In terms of goals, we鈥檙e working on a Game Room initiative. Upgrading the Student Center first-floor game room with actual consoles and activities to make it a real hub for students. We want to do more town halls to give students a chance to voice concerns directly and start conversations with administration. And we want to help student leaders grow and to build stronger ties between clubs, USG, and administration.
My philosophy is: Once you pay your tuition, this campus belongs to you. Students should feel empowered to use every resource available.
听You鈥檝e talked about bridging the gap between students and administration. How do you plan to do that?
听Communication. Students often don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 happening. Administration shares info, but maybe not always loudly enough. At the same time, we as students need to pay attention. Town halls and open senate meetings are key.
What do you think helped you win the election?
听Honestly, passion. I was active, present, and people saw that. I didn鈥檛 run just to add 鈥減resident鈥� to my r茅sum茅. I ran because I care about this community. I was shocked when I won, but I got right to work. My mindset is always: Do the best with the little time you have, and make things better for the next group coming in.
Outside of USG, what else have you been involved in?
听I鈥檝e been part of BLMI (Black and Latino Male Initiative) as a mentor, which gave me scholarships and recognition through the Bulldog Achievement Awards. I also founded a club called Design and Wine鈥攖he 鈥渨ine鈥� is a play on relaxation, no alcohol involved鈥攚here students learned to design custom merchandise and even had a successful mental health themed event. It was an important conversation. In total, we solidified four successful events.
Has it been hard to find community at 可乐视频?
听For me, yes. I think part of it is being a Black gay male student dealing with mental health, and part of it is just our times. Technology creates distance, and after COVID people are focused on survival. But I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 unique to 可乐视频鈥攊t鈥檚 society. That鈥檚 why I try to be the person who smiles, who checks in, who creates space. Community doesn鈥檛 always come to you鈥攜ou sometimes have to build it.
What advice would you give your freshman self鈥攐r new students arriving now?
听Give yourself grace. Give others grace, too. Don鈥檛 rush the process. Four years feels like four minutes. Stay for events, join clubs, meet people. The friendships and opportunities you build can last a lifetime.
Last question: What do you want students to know about you as their president?
听That I鈥檓 not a politician鈥擨鈥檓 an advocate. I want students to know they鈥檙e heard, that they have power here. I ran on passion, and I intend to follow through.
