It was his senior year in high school when ASI President Jason Bryant first stepped onto Sacramento State, not knowing that years later he would have such an impact on the lives of many students. Growing up, Bryant always knew that he wanted to pursue a future in politics.

Watching his mom work for a lobbyist firm had an early effect on him.”I was very inspired by that line of work,” Bryant said. “I had no doubts on where I wanted to go.”

Now that the elections are over, Bryant?s time as ASI president and as a student at Sac State are coming to an end. However, he will never be forgotten.

Fall of 1996 embarked the trail of many accomplishments for Bryant. As a sophomore in college he started his ASI career answering telephones for the department.

“I really enjoyed the people in the office,” Bryant said. “The people at ASI are the most committed people on campus.”

It was then that he knew that there was no way he would let his college years pass him by without getting involved in campus politics. In 1997, Bryant was introduced to Sigma Chi, a fraternity he would later credit with his involvement with ASI. Former ASI President Gary Davis had a huge influence on Bryant?s decision to join the organization.

“Jason?s full of good ideas,” Davis said. “He?s very passionate of the challenge he takes on.”

A year later, Bryant served as executive vice president for ASI. With the support of his friends and family, it was in spring of 2000 when Bryant decided to take on the challenge of running for ASI president.

Not only has Bryant made some tough decisions that have effected many students, he contributed a great deal as well. “Leadership in the Campus Community” is a program that Bryant helped start with others, including Pat Worley, assistant director of ASI.

This is a class designed to give students academic units for getting involved around campus. The program was introduced this spring, but Bryant said it will continue to be offered every semester.

“We were able to collaborate with all these different groups,” he said. “It?s a huge success.”

The alcohol policy at sporting events was a controversial issue that Bryant dealt with. Working with President Donald Gerth and the Student Activities Office, Bryant worked on a plan to allow students to still tailgate at sporting events but to do so in a way that would be safe for everyone.

Bryant is currently interning at the State Capitol for Senator Gloria Romero, but as of now is still considering possible career opportunities. He applied for a Senate and Assembly fellowship program, which is a graduate level internship for a year. If selected, Bryant would work for a member of the legislature.

“I want to be engaged in public policy,” he said. “I want to be involved in decisions that affect the citizens in many ways.”

When asked what his dream job would be, Bryant replied, “I would race stock cars.”Ever since I was young I wanted to be a race car driver,” he explained. If that doesn?t follow through, said Bryant, he would one day hope to be a “lobbyist for any major automotive industry.”

Bryant said he will miss everything here on campus, especially the people he has worked with at ASI.

“The most important thing that the new president needs to hear is, when your dealing with students and issues, do your homework,” Bryant said. “Understand what you want to accomplish, commit yourself to it and take your time.”

Looking forward to a bright and long future in public policy, Bryant mentions that Sacramento will always be his first choice. No matter what the future holds for Bryant he will never forget his time here as ASI president, but most importantly his time here as a student.

Bryant began Sac State unsure about how he would spend his college years, but with this chapter soon closing in his life, he will always be recognized as one individual who has improved campus life greatly.

“It?s such a humbling experience,” he said of his stay on campus.