TU’s SGA President ready to help students roar

Rayne Rivera-Forbes’ passion for student government started long before her time at Towson University.

But this coming academic year, Rivera-Forbes will put that passion into action as president of TU’s Student Government Association’s 106th administration.

The junior law and American civilizations and political science double major has always used her voice, but it took a little push to find a way to turn that voice into action.

In middle school, that voice initially led to a period of self-doubt. But after a conversation with her middle school math teacher, Rivera-Forbes wanted to find a way to rewrite her present and her future.

“I vividly remember this conversation— he sat me down and said he knew I had these aspirations to become a lawyer,” Rivera-Forbes recalls. “He told me you don’t realize how much influence you have both good and bad. And that I needed to start using that influence for good to reach the potential that others saw in me.”

That conversation led her to join the Student Government Association at Duval High School in Lanham, Maryland, starting her on a path of using her voice to advocate for her fellow students.

When I got here, I got to see how big TU’s SGA is compared to other schools in the area, and that’s when I knew I wanted to be in a leadership position.

Rayne Rivera-Forbes

One of her first—and fondest—advocacy memories was fighting for students who were enrolled in the school’s free lunch program. She would watch as her friends were served a cold cheese sandwich and milk. She started finding ways to help students advocate for better lunch options and make their voices heard when decisions were made.

Prince George’s Regional Association of Student Governments and served as a representative for the Maryland Association of Student Councils. There she testified that student representatives should be able to vote in Maryland’s Board of Education meetings. 

“Being able to meet with principals and school supervisors meant a lot to me,” Rivera-Forbes says. “I realized in high school that students deserve a voice at every single table. So, when I was getting ready to apply for college, I knew immediately I wanted to be involved in SGA at whatever school I chose.”

Becoming the top tiger

Her passion for student government led Rivera-Forbes to TU. She learned that she could get involved right away.

Joining the TU SGA in the summer before her freshman year, she initially planned to just join freshman council. But through the encouragement of then-SGA Vice President Simi Sanni, she became a senator.

I am hoping everyone's ready to see my face every day because I plan to be as accessible as possible.

Rayne Rivera-Forbes

As a 17-year-old freshman, she also served as chair of SGA’s appropriations committee and helped lay the foundation for the grant review process for student organizations.

“For the SGA retreat, I had to have someone sign a permission slip for me to go,” Rivera-Forbes laughs. “When I got here, I got to see how big TU’s SGA is compared to other schools in the area, and that’s when I knew I wanted to be in a leadership position.”

That desire to advocate for her peers has followed Rivera-Forbes throughout her time at TU, eventually leading her to the university's top student leadership position.

Now, as one of the main voices for student concerns on TU’s campus, Rivera-Forbes’ administration is built around a simple phrase: “For You, TU.”

The platform centers on three pillars: accessibility, transparency and unity. The SGA plans to expand office hours and provide a more informal meeting space with its leaders, strengthen communication through open forums and quarterly meetings with student organizations and expand student representation, civic engagement and collaboration across campus.

The Towson University Student Government Association held its first general assembly meeting on Tuesday, August 25. There directors got to address the assembly with updates (right), while new members wore sworn in to start the new academic year (right).

Strengthen Students Voices

As students return to campus this academic year, Rivera-Forbes wants student organizations to know she is ready to work with them.

“I expect myself to be everywhere,” she says. “I am hoping everyone's ready to see my face every day because I plan to be as accessible as possible.”

She’s already finding ways to make sure student groups feel supported. Financially, the administration has expanded its large event fund, giving student organizations more resources to host bigger events.

That aligns with Rivera-Forbes’ broader vision to rebuild SGA to better serve the student body. Whether it’s providing a budget for bigger events, supporting the Basic Needs Hub, the Collegetown Shuttle or student research, she wants to make sure students are taken care of.

“We’re here to advocate and make a difference in this community we’re all a part of,” Rivera-Forbes says. “We want to make sure that SGA is not just accessible, but make sure every student’s voice is heard.”