The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the voice of the students at Athens State University. It provides leadership experience to students and serves as a bridge connecting students, organizations, and the campus community.
Students active in SGA learn about leadership, governance, and service while working with others to achieve common goals. Students are elected to the positions of President, Vice President, and Marketing Coordinator. Senator positions are appointed by the President.
Throughout the Spring and Fall semesters, SGA hosts and/or sponsors events that bring our students together. From movie nights in McCandless Hall to Meet and Greets with State Legislators, SGA is always working to make Athens State an active and interconnected community for our student body.
SGA is open to all students currently enrolled at Athens State University. All students may attend SGA meetings, but active SGA members are those who attend at least two meetings per semester and two events per semester. Active members have the option to purchase SGA chords for graduation.
President
Emily Jimmerson
SGA Vice President
Dalton Thrasher
SGA Treasurer
Aaron Moseley
SGA Senator, COAS
Charles Prince
SGA Secretary
Michelle Bissell
SGA Student Retention Council Officer
Ashley Powers
Officers Bio
Emily Katherine Jimmerson is a graduate student at Athens State University pursuing a Master’s in Strategic Leadership. She recently earned her Bachelor’s degree in Management with a minor in Marketing. Emily serves as an Athenian Ambassador, where she represents Athens State at university and community events, leads campus tours, and organizes student engagement programs. She has also gained professional experience in marketing, event planning, and customer service through her work on campus and in the community. Passionate about leadership, service, and creativity, Emily is dedicated to fostering student connection and making a positive impact at Athens State and beyond.
Dalton Thrasher is a graduate student at Athens State University pursuing a Master of Science in Strategic Human Resource Management. As Vice President of the Student Government Association, Dalton is committed to strengthening student engagement, promoting campus initiatives, and ensuring that student voices are represented in university decision-making.
He also serves as an Athenian Ambassador, is an inductee of Sigma Tau Delta, and has been recognized on the Dean’s List for his academic achievement and leadership. Beyond SGA, Dalton works as an HR Coordinator at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, where he is gaining practical experience in human resources.
Passionate about leadership and advocacy, Dalton’s long-term goals include earning professional HR certifications such as the SHRM-CP, aPHR, and PHR, as well as advancing into executive leadership within innovative organizations. In his free time, he enjoys exploring topics related to space, spending time with family, and caring for his two dogs and two cats.
Aaron Moseley is a senior at Athens State University majoring in Educational Studies with a concentration in Physical Education. He is currently serving his second term as SGA Treasurer and is also a member of Teachers of Kennis and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Before attending Athens State, Aaron was actively involved at Troy University, where he served on the SGA Cabinet for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as an SGA Senator-at-Large, and as a member of the NAACP, Black Student Union, and the Physical Education Student Organization (PESO).
Michelle Bissell – Secretary
Michelle Bissell is an undergraduate student at Athens State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, with graduation expected in July 2026. In addition to serving as the Secretary of the Student Government Association, Michelle is an active member of the Athenian Ambassadors and the Director of Student Relations for SHRM.
Her professional focus is on employee onboarding and talent development, with a passion for creating positive first impressions and fostering continuous growth throughout the employee journey. She aspires to design programs that help new hires feel welcomed, supported, and prepared for long-term success.
Outside of her academic and leadership roles, Michelle enjoys gaming with her family and spending time with her cats.
Charles Prince is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in English with a minor in Instructional Design. As the CoAS Senator, Charles is dedicated to strengthening intercollegiate relationships and initiatives while serving as an active voice for his constituents. He also serves as Vice President of both the Kappa Zeta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta and the Athens State University Tabletop Gamers.
Beyond SGA, Charles works as an IT Technician at Lockheed Martin, where he is gaining experience with training and instructional materials that will support his future career in Instructional Design. Passionate about learning, literature, and technology, Charles’s long-term goals include pursuing master’s degrees in both Cybersecurity and English Language Arts, with the possibility of continuing on to a Ph.D. in literature. In his free time, he enjoys dancing, spending time with family and friends, and rolling dice while playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Ashley Powers is a senior at Athens State University, majoring in Human Resource Management. As the Student Retention Council Officer, Ashley is dedicated to fostering meaningful student involvement, strengthening connections within the campus community, and advocating for programs that support student success. She extends this advocacy to the state level as Athens State’s representative on the Student Retention Council, a student-led initiative of the Higher Education Partnership of Alabama.
She also serves as an Athenian Ambassador and as the Director of SHRM Merit Awards for the ATSU Student Chapter. Professionally, Ashley works full-time in the gaming industry, where more than a decade of leadership experience informs the perspective she brings to both academics and service. She is passionate about workforce development, with long-term goals of advancing into executive leadership while expanding educational and career opportunities across Alabama. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exploring new subjects, gaming, and volunteering with elderly residents in her community.
