Not many people can add a kidnapping narrative to the story of a well-rounded college experience like Charles Turner, president of the Black Student Alliance.

When arriving for a study abroad semester in Mexico during the spring of his sophomore year, Turner deplaned and searched for a bus station to get to his host family’s house in Pueblo.

However, two con artists in a taxi found him first.  As they assured Turner that they would take him to the bus station, his surreal journey began.

“We traveled through random neighborhoods of Mexico City for about 20 minutes. These guys looked official, and I thought they were OK,” Turner said. “One even had an ID badge. But then, they started asking for my money.”

The two men took Turner’s money and left him with only his luggage on a street corner in the foreign city of almost nine million people. He eventually found a taxi driver who saw him to the bus station and off to his host family in Pueblo.

“Aside from that, I had a great time. I still have contact with so many people from around the world,” Turner said.

Now a senior International Studies and African American Studies double major, Turner also serves as the president of the Black Student Alliance. In addition, Turner has also participated in Mock Trial, worked in Housing and Residence Life, was a mentor for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization as a “big” to a third grader named Christian and served as a Student Government Association senator for BSA,

“SGA, especially, I really enjoyed,” Turner said. “I got to make a lot of essential connections with campus leaders, faculty administrators and students. I also was kept in the loop with campus opportunities.”

Turner transfers the leadership skills he learned through these activities to his role as BSA president.

“People have said in the past that BSA is inclusive,” Turner said. “We wanted to be more visible to the SLU community. We wanted to be the group that reaches out.

Turner said they strove to accomplish this goal by holding many fall activities outdoors as well as making a special effort to welcome all.

During February, BSA has a unique opportunity to reach to the SLU community through Black History Month.

Turner is leading this effort.

The BSA is bringing in notable speakers like Jeff Johnson and creating noteworthy opportunities for students outside BSA, including an art show and a Harambee ball.

“I definitely want to see SLU become a more diverse campus, a better reflection of the population surrounding campus, than what it is even after I leave,” Turner said.

After graduation, Turner plans to continue his education either by attending law school at Howard University or the University of California Los Angeles or applying to graduate schools in pursuit of a degree in urban policy or urban planning.

“I have enjoyed my time here at SLU and as president of BSA,” Turner said. “Even the challenges have been well worth my time.”

Passionate about improving the urban education system, Turner will no doubt face challenges as he continues his education after life at SLU.

However, as SLU sends him off into the real world to pursue his hopes and dreams, hopefully his experiences will not include another kidnapping.