Learn more about your student body president

BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR

When Jonathan Dubois was sworn in as Undergraduate Student Body Executive Vice President on May 1, 2025, he was fairly certain his involvement in student government would begin and end there.

His parents jokingly asked “So next year, what are we looking at? We’re looking to try it again next year?” alluding to a future run for president. 

Months later his parent’s dreams would come true. Jonathan Dubois was sworn in as the Undergraduate Student Body President Jan. 24 after his running mate, Isaiah Grays, was impeached and removed from office in the last weeks of the fall semester.

Jonathan Dubois speaks at an Undergraduate Representative Body meeting on Feb. 12 in Merten Hall. (Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

Now president, Dubois said he will not run for the presidency again, but he still hopes to “make an impact in the larger student body, regardless of what my position is or what I’m doing.”

Dubois is a sophomore at Mason studying International Security and Law in the Schar School of Policy and Government. He decided to join student government because he said he “thought student government was an opportunity to make a broader impact.” 

“I had a great experience my freshman year, and I wanted to be able to help other students also have that same experience, or have that same joy when they come to Mason,” Dubois said.

Dubois was born in Congo, but spent a significant amount of his formative years in South Africa, coming to the United States in 2023. He explained that he came to Mason because it had everything he wanted. 

“I was looking for a university that would particularly help me deal with international politics,” Dubois said.

Dubois emphasized that this background motivates his policy positions. He said he prioritizes “making sure that every student has what they need … that just everybody always is on a fair playing field to achieve.” 

His most ambitious goal for this semester is to prevent Mason from raising tuition. 

“That’s the most ambitious [goal], just because there’s so many factors that go into it … whether it’s in regards to inflation or faculty wages going up, or certain projects the school wants to take into account,” he said.

To describe student government in one sentence, Dubois said, “Student government advocates for student needs, using all the tools within their power to achieve the necessary means of meeting those needs and causing instrumental change … for the student body.” 

Jonathan Dubois speaks at the Board of Visitors meeting on February 26 at Merten Hall. (Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

In addition to serving as student body president, Dubois is involved in the African Student Association, Black Filmmakers Association, HLLA, No Lost Generation and other advocacy-based organizations. 

When asked about his favorite dining hall, Dubois said he prefers Southside over Ike’s, but argues the best dining hall on campus is the Globe. His favorite hangout and study spot on campus is the Paul Robeson room in the Johnson Center.

If the student body were to know anything about him, Dubois said he wants them to know, “I have a very high social battery… I love conversating … If you ever do see me somewhere, feel free to, like, stop and have a conversation.”

In a closing thought, Dubois’ advice to the student body is to “get as much outside of your comfort zone as possible, just meet people and be genuine with people.” 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Accompanying video was shot by Adam Roth.