Virginia State University has welcomed the new Mister and Miss Virginia State into their positions as leaders on campus. They are Melvin Cooper, Jr. and Sarai Findlay. They sat down for interviews to unpack what it means to take on these new roles in the Royal Court.
1. What motivated you to run for Mister Virginia State University, and what does this title mean to you personally?
Melvin Cooper, Jr.: My friends were my motivation to run for this position. I wanted to show them, and everyone, that greatness is not reserved for a select few, but is within each and every one of us. To me, this title is more than a responsibility; it’s a vow. A vow to myself and to others that I will always strive for greatness in everything I do, and to encourage others to recognize the greatness within themselves as well.
2. How do you hope to use your platform to positively impact the student body and surrounding community?
Melvin Cooper, Jr.: I want to use my platform to strengthen the bond of our Trojan family and the surrounding community. My goal is to create spaces and opportunities where students can truly enjoy college life while also feeling supported and included. I hope to leave a lasting impact that reminds us that college isn’t just about academics, but also connection, growth, and celebrating life together.
3. In what ways do you feel you represent the values and spirit of Virginia State University?
Melvin Cooper, Jr.: I feel I represent the values and spirit of Virginia State University through my commitment to excellence, leadership, and community. As a student-athlete, an Honors College member, and an active part of campus life, I strive to embody the balance of hard work, resilience, and Trojan pride that VSU stands for.
4. What challenges have you faced as a student leader, and how have those experiences shaped your outlook?
Melvin Cooper, Jr.: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a student leader is learning how to balance my responsibilities, academics, athletics, work, and leadership while still showing up fully for the people who count on me. At times, it felt overwhelming, but those experiences taught me the importance of time management, asking for help when needed, and leading with humility. They shaped my outlook by reminding me that leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being consistent, resilient, and willing to grow through challenges while helping others do the same.
5. How do you balance your academic responsibilities with the duties that come with holding this title?
Melvin Cooper, Jr.: It’s all about discipline and time management. I’ve learned to prioritize what’s important, stay organized, and make the most of my time so that neither my academics nor my leadership duties are neglected. Holding this title requires consistency and accountability, the same qualities I apply in the classroom. By keeping a clear schedule and staying focused, I’m able to honor both my responsibilities as a student and as a representative of Virginia State University.
6. What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
Melvin Cooper, Jr.: The legacy I hope to leave behind is one of unity, inclusivity, and pride in who we are as Trojans. I want students to look back and say that during my time as Mister VSU, our campus felt more connected. More than a title, I want my impact to remind others that leadership is about service and that each of us has the power to leave a mark that inspires those who come after us.
7. How has this role helped you grow personally and professionally?
Melvin Cooper, Jr.: This role has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Personally, it’s taught me confidence, patience, and the importance of staying true to myself even under pressure. I’ve learned how to connect with people on a deeper level and to listen as much as I lead. Professionally, it has sharpened my communication, organization, and leadership skills, qualities that will stay with me long after my time at VSU. Overall, this role has shown me that growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing challenges head-on.
8. What advice would you give to future students who want to step into leadership positions on campus?
Melvin Cooper, Jr.: My advice would be to always be yourself. Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Everyone has their own style, and it’s okay if you’re still discovering yours. Great leaders are made, not born, so take things one step at a time, be willing to learn, and never be afraid to ask for help. Most importantly, embrace the journey, enjoy the experience, and let your authenticity shine through.
9. You’ve shared that your goal is to provide compassionate care to women of all backgrounds as a future OB-GYN. How do you see that goal connecting to your decision to run for Miss VSU? And what core values from? Your journey from Brooklyn to here —do you feel are most important in carrying your crown?
Sarai Findlay: So for the first part, I feel like my future, my end goals once I graduate college and then, of course, go to grad school, and then medical school, becoming an OBGYN… what I tell everyone is that I always want to represent the underrepresented, which is the Black community, understanding that we have way more health disparities… A woman’s body’s just interests me. So that’s really my drive towards that part of my education journey, and then turning that to my crown. I feel like I always wanted to be the person that is visibly a strong leader, and my platform, I always tell everybody that it was random transparency. I want them to understand that I’m a student just like anyone else. Coming from Brooklyn, I had to change my whole persona. I’m not that hard, tough -core person that I was when I came here freshman year.
10. You have such a unique perspective coming from Brooklyn to VSU. Can you share a story about how one of those experiences shaped a key moment or decision in your journey as Miss VSU?
Sarai Findlay: I always tell everyone when I came here, I did run for Miss Freshman my freshman year, and the current reigning Miss Junior was not a friend of mine, but she was a friend of a friend. Her name was Aliyah. She was from Brooklyn as well, so Aliyah took me in as a mentee, and the things that she told me freshman year always stuck with me, and it helped me develop. I had someone to connect to on a different level. I always tell myself, don’t let Brooklyn shape me, and always shape the way that I think about Brooklyn. I feel like being from New York, everybody’s always going to be like, “Dang, you’re from New York accent or this and that? Do you do this?” And it’s like they already have a certain perspective, or they already have these things in their mind that they’re generating about you, but you always want to be like, “No, I’m bringing this to the table, right? This. I actually look like this when I’m stepping here.” So just always remembering why I came here. I came here for my scholarships. I always wanted to meet in the middle, because I live in Georgia now. So New York and Georgia… eight hours either way you meet in Virginia…
11. The title of Miss VSU comes with a lot of responsibility. What’s been the most rewarding part?
Sarai Findlay: … I feel like the most rewarding thing was understanding that there are little ‘me’s’ on campus right now roaming around, and they’re looking and thinking exactly how I was thinking. And I always wanted to be that person, to pour back into somebody. Every time I have a conversation with somebody that I’ve never met, they’re like, “You inspired me, or you said this, and it stuck with me,” and I’m just like, yes, that’s exactly what I want to do… Some people take certain things differently than others, but I always want to deliver the message responsibly.
12. How do you plan to use your platform to advocate for women’s health and empowerment, especially in the context of your medical career?
Sarai Findlay: I feel like, for me, I always want to share my story. I have certain things that I’ve been diagnosed with and that I have to live with because I am a Black woman, and the things that are running in my family tree or the genes that are passed down from generations to generations, I always want to remind Black women about being Black. I feel like that’s what makes me me. I’ll tell my pre-med advisor that I eventually want to start my own practice, because I just want to take up the space and always think about our voices.
13. What does representation mean to you, and how do you feel you’ve been able to bring that to life?
Sarai Findlay: I always try to see myself in other people, if that makes sense. I always try not to compare experiences but make sure I can understand where they’re coming from. That’s why I’m so strong with telling my story and being transparent.
14. I saw that you completed a summer research internship at VCU’s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. What advice do you have for someone during the application process?
Sarai Findlay: The summer internship that I had this summer was my first internship ever, and I feel like it definitely opened my eyes to what an internship can offer for you… The internship that I had this summer was a research based internship. It let me know that I didn’t want to do research. You never know what you can get into if you just branch out literally, just promote yourself. You literally have to be your biggest, your biggest support system. I was just like, “You know what? You’re just going to just gonna apply. You never know what’s gonna happen!”
