As Joseph Liberto prepares to leave office, the outgoing LSU student body president is looking back on a term shaped by campus engagement, safety initiatives, and the challenge of leading in a time of institutional change.
Liberto, an international trade and finance major from New Orleans, entered Student Government as an outsider. His “Energize” ticket with Vice President Amelia Carman ran on the promise of “fresh faces and new perspectives” and won the spring 2024 election after a contested race.
At the time, Liberto had no prior SG experience — his leadership background came instead from his role as philanthropy chair of Kappa Sigma and his involvement with Hams for Fams, a New Orleans-based nonprofit.
“I think the real joy of being student body president has been getting to meet everybody,” Liberto said. “Stopping in Free Speech Alley and talking to anyone and truly diving into the different clubs and organizations on campus and seeing how you get help.”
Once in office, Liberto set out to make SG more visible and accessible. He credits his success to that same student-first approach he brought with him from Jesuit High School, where he also served as student body president.
Key initiatives: Tailored Tiger and Angel Shots
When asked what he’s most proud of, Liberto points first to the opening of the Tailored Tiger Professional Clothing Closet. Though the project had been in the works for years, Liberto’s administration helped bring it across the finish line.
“The great thing about Tailored Tiger is that it took literally three years. I can’t take all the credit for Tailored Tiger. All I did was open it,” Liberto said, “but that’s one thing you can definitely see the impact. Students go in there every day.”
The closet, operated in partnership with LSU’s Olinde Career Center, provides students with free professional attire for interviews and internships.
“Seeing students go and get a nice jacket, a nice blazer, that increases confidence in interviews, increases confidence at the job,” Liberto said.
Another flagship project from Liberto’s term was the implementation of the Angel Shot initiative, a bar safety program allowing patrons to discreetly ask for help if they feel unsafe by ordering an “angel shot.”
“We can’t thank LSUPD and the local bars enough,” Liberto said. “They’ve been so receptive.”
The idea, developed in collaboration with local partners and LSU’s We’re Committed program, gained traction in the fall and was launched in several bars near campus.
“Safety has always been a big force. And seeing that really, you know, take off with the bars, it’s been really nice to see.” Liberto said.
Leading through change
Liberto’s term also coincided with administrative turnover at LSU, including the departure of President William F. Tate IV and Provost Roy Haggerty. He said navigating that shift was one of the most unexpected parts of the role.
“Changes in administration are always scary,” Liberto said. “We can’t thank Dr. B [Fran’Cee Brown-McClure] the Dean of Students, enough. It was her first year, and she was so kind. She worked with us greatly.”
Liberto praised a number of behind-the-scenes figures who supported the student government during his time, whom he called “the backbone of LSU.”
“We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish anything without people like them,” Liberto said.
A message to future leaders
Looking back on his term, Liberto said the most valuable part of being student body president wasn’t the prestige or policies, it was the personal connection. The experience, he said, reshaped how he thinks about leadership and what it means to serve a campus.
“When you take a student-first mindset into being student body president, that’s where the real joy comes from. The fun isn’t in all the meetings; that stuff can weigh you down. The fun is getting out there and actually connecting with people.” Liberto said. “You know, other schools might have good football teams, other schools might have great academics, but nobody’s got the culture that LSU has.”
His advice to future leaders is to go beyond their comfort zones.
“The worst thing you can do at LSU is stay in your bubble,” Liberto said. “You’re doing yourself a disservice if you’re only talking to the same 10 people. There are 40,000 students here. You gotta go out there. You gotta meet people. You gotta shake hands. You’ve got to make LSU what you want it to be.”
Though unsure if politics is in his future, Liberto said he plans to stay in Louisiana and help however he can.
As he exits student government, Liberto said he’s grateful not just for the role but for the chance to learn, grow and leave something behind.
