For the fourth time in five years, the president of Florida State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) was elected to serve as chair of the Florida Student Association (FSA).
Carson Dale, a native of Columbia, Missouri, was inaugurated as FSU’s 80th SGA president in April and elected chair of the FSA in May. As FSA chair, Dale has a vote as a seated member on the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System of Florida (SUS). He was elected to represent the student bodies of all 12 of Florida’s public universities, serving more than 430,000 students.
Dale follows former FSU SGA presidents Jack Hitchcock, Nimna Gabadage and Nastassia “Tazzy” Janvier in assuming the dual roles.
“One of the biggest things I’m excited for with FSA is to get more students involved to help us lobby on higher education and on issues that are important to students,” Dale said. “It’s a really unique position to serve at the state level, Board of Trustees, and Board of Governors as a 21-year-old and represent all the students. Getting to learn from them and hearing the keys to their success in life—it’s exciting.”
As president of FSU’s SGA, Dale oversees a budget of nearly $15.4 million and has a voting seat on FSU’s 13-member Board of Trustees. Dale will serve on both these posts for the term of one year while taking a full class load in both fall and spring semesters.
He is majoring in international affairs with a concentration in public administration and is set to graduate in May 2026.
Being from the Midwest with no direct ties to FSU, Dale said he Googled and saw FSU’s beautiful campus and liked the thought of being in the state capital to pursue a career in politics. He arrived in 2022, and during his freshman year founded the Theta Xi chapter of Delta Sigma Phi chapter. Dale is also a member of the Presidential Scholars Program.
“We are incredibly proud of Carson’s election as chair of the Florida Student Association and his leadership position on the Florida Board of Governors,” said Andy Johnson, program director of Student Governance & Advocacy under the Division of Student Affairs. “He brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to statewide advocacy, and we’re confident he’ll represent the voice of Florida’s students with integrity and vision.”
Dale said he is looking forward to working closely with FSA External Vice Chair Darsham Gonzalez (Florida Atlantic University) and FSA Internal Vice Chair Trista Bennett (University of West Florida).
“We have a great group of individuals,” said Dale. “I feel well supported in having their backing to achieve great things.”
Long-term plans for Dale after graduation include law school and lobbying, and he has an interest in political consulting. In his spare time, Dale said he likes to hike, fish, camp and backpack, as well as attend FSU football games.