Akilah Wilson graduated from Hampton University in 2018 with a degree in Strategic Communications and Business Management. Impassioned by public service, Akilah relocated to Albany, New York where she is currently working to obtain her Master of Public Administration at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy of the University at Albany. Akilah joined SUNY Student Assembly after visiting just one SUNYSA conference where she was inspired by the work of students, like herself, to foster a more inclusive student experience through advocacy.  She now serves as a Representative for Doctoral Granting Institutions within the SUNY system. Akilah has a keen passion for equity and social justice and is excited to uphold these values in her work as representative. 

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Hobbies: Painting, reading, spending time with friends and family.

Favorite quote: 

“Fear is a liar” -unknown

Amanda is a student at Broome Community College in Binghamton, majoring in Health Sciences to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner in Pediatric Psychiatry. Amanda has only been in college since 2018 & has already transitioned from a senator position within her campus's Student Assembly to Vice President of Student Activities, along with serving the Student Assembly. Outside of school, Amanda is an access care representative with United Health Services, a self-directed services worker with Spring Brook to care for individuals with developmental disabilities, & a foster parent.

Hobbies: Writing poetry, Netflix binging, & visiting Brooklyn as much as possible!

Favorite quote: 

"Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks” - S. Johnson

Amy Zhang is a junior at the University at Albany. Currently, Amy holds the following positions Board of Finance Liasion, Intercultural Specialist, Campus Life Advisory Board Member, UAS Board of Directors Member, Doctoral Granting Institution Undergraduate Representative, UCAN Ambassador, and Student Philanthropy Ambassador. Formally she held the following positions Chief of Staff, Peer Career Advisor, Student Caller, and Elevating Student Leaders Program Graduate.

Hobbies:

Embroidery, creating art, exploring nature, and finding good food spots

Favorite quote:

“If you do not intentionally include, you unintentionally exclude."

amy.zhang@sunysa.org

Callie is a sophomore political science major currently attending SUNY Cortland! Callie hails from Manlius, N.Y. and is a proud second-generation Red Dragon.  Last year Callie served as a club senator and the chair of Housing & Student Life for Cortland SGA. This year she serves as the Coordinator of Student Advocacy. In these roles, Callie has had the opportunity to speak with and advocate for students campus wide on a variety of issues. She is thrilled to now have the opportunity to do the same for students statewide in her role as a University College Representative!

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Hobbies: Watching Jeopardy!, Playing violin, Debating politics, Eating halfmoon cookies

Favorite Quote: 

"If women understood and exercised their power, they could remake the world"

 -Emily Taft Douglas

Cristian Rodriguez is a senior at SUNY Fredonia pursuing two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and in Political Science. Cristian has served as Junior Class President, University Senator and a member of the President's Cabinet of SUNY Fredonia. In these roles, Cristian has advocated for students on a number of issues, including closing the TAP Gap, increasing access to feminine hygiene products, and strengthening relations between University Police and the general public. Running his first race under the slogan “United for a Better Future,” Cristian is dedicated to ensuring justice and access to all. Cristian is extremely excited to serve the students in the SUNY system, and advocate on behalf of all students, because when every voice is heard, justice can truly prosper.

Hobbies: Violin, Traveling, Board Games, Socializing, Theater

Favorite Quote: 

"When any barrier falls in America, it clears the way for everyone. After all, when there are no ceilings, the sky is the limit." - Hillary Clinton

Daniel is a Fashion Business Management major at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. He was born in Lima, Peru and was raised in Long Island, Suffolk County, NY. Daniel has already obtained an associate degree in Digital Animation from Suffolk County Community College. His short term goal is to do an internship at Calvin Klein after he graduates. Now, his long term goal is to live in South Korea as a product developer and own his clothing brand. Daniel is a very passionate student leader, that uses his free time to serve other students and help them achieve success. He is a huge advocate for student rights, especially for undocumented students. Being a first-generation immigrant himself, he understands the struggles and stigma that come with being from a different country. Therefore, he did not let this country define who he is or throw away his culture. Instead, Daniel uses his differences to empower himself and others around him. He believes that everyone is beautiful and it is important to learn to love oneself. He states, “we are living in a time where people believe that it is alright to shame one another. However, I  believe that fighting hate with hate is unless cycle of pain. We need to remember that we are all different and that is ok. We may be different, but the love we all seek is that same.”

Hobbies: Design digital art, styling my wardrobe, and staying fit

Favorite Quote: 

“The circumstances of one's birth is irrelevant, it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.”

Dylan Guilfoyle is the student government president at Adirondack Community College.​

Hobbies

Favorite quote

Dylan Rice is a senior at the Fashion Institute of Technology, majoring in Advertising and Marketing Communications. In addition to his role as Representative, Dylan serves as the Chief of Staff for the FIT Student Government Association. Originally from Smithtown, Long Island, Dylan is a proud Hauppauge Eagle. 

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Hobbies: Reading, Movies, T.V., Writing, Music

Favorite quote: "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." - Thomas Jefferson

Elisabeth is from Attica, NY and has attended Alfred State, studying Human Services Management and Interdisciplinary Studies, since the fall of 2016. She serves as the Executive Vice President of Student Senate, Political Engagement and Leadership Advocate for the Office of Civic Engagement, and performs various roles within the Office of Student Engagement. Elisabeth spends her summers working for the Summer Mentor Staff that facilitates New Student Orientation and the EOP Summer Prep Academy. 

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Hobbies: Gardening, Fishing, and Drawing/Painting

Favorite quote: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” - Marie Curie 

Esther Joseph is a current Senior at New Paltz, double majoring in Political Science and International Relations with minors in Black Studies and Economics. During her time at New Paltz, she has performed numerous roles that align with her passion for advocacy, diversity and higher education. Roles such as appointed student representative for Judicial Hearings, current Student Association Senate Chair and former college Post-secondary coach for her former high school non-profit, Urban

Assembly. As former deputy director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion for the Student Assembly, Esther is currently a representative for State-Operated Campuses for the Student Assembly where she looks forward to continuing her efforts in representing the students at SUNY with integrity, nobility and accountability.

Hobbies: Reading,Traveling, Community work, Watching Netflix

Favorite Quote:

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

-Maya Angelou

Jahad Hoyte came to Farmingdale State College for their bachelors’ program in Aviation Administration. However, as time progressed his involvement in the community, the campus, and the SUNY Student Assembly strengthened his interest in social justice issues. As such, Jahad shifted his academic focus to Political Science and recently sought opportunities at local non-profit organizations to learn more about the social issues in today's society. Having served as a Representative for a year already, and now as the President of the FSC Student Government Association, Jahad has learned one must stand for those who are voiceless. 

Hobbies: Flying, Jiu-Jitsu, and Running Track

Favorite Quote: "I come as one, I stand for ten thousand."

James Vassallo is a first-year medical student at Stony Brook University, where he also earned his Master’s in Public Health & Bachelors in Biology & Sociology. During both his undergraduate and graduate careers, James has served in a number of leadership and advisory roles at his University, serving as President of Graduate Student Organization, President of the Commuter Student Association and Executive Chair to the President’s Council of Advisors, amongst other positions. James is excited to use his diverse background in student leadership and campus operations to continue advocating for students across the SUNY system as Chair of State-Operated Campuses.

Hobbies: Cooking & Baking, Weightlifting, Pokemon, listening to music

Favorite Quote: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky

Kelvin Cooke is a Biology student at Monroe Community College, born in the Bronx and raised in Long Island with his mother and younger brother Kwincy. Growing up in and out of a homeless shelter system, Kelvin and his family overcame adversity and persevered through every challenge they faced. By the time Kelvin was 15, he had a place to call home, and decided it was time to give back. After getting involved in a program called S.I.M.B.A for homeless youth, he witnessed firsthand the power of advocacy and community. These early experiences developed leadership skills in Kelvin that brought him to where he is today. With a strong passion for biology, Kelvin hopes to one day shape the lives of others and repay his mother and those who helped him to have this opportunity. 

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Hobbies: Swimming, Gaming, Napping (in the cold), training in MMA, and talking long walks exploring new places.

Favorite Quote: “If life can be put into currency it would be called experience. So experience all life has to offer and truly become rich” -Kelvin Cooke

Mitchel is a lifelong resident of Western New York and is a byproduct of both a SUNY community college and now the University at Buffalo. He is currently a senior at the University at Buffalo (Go Bulls!) majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies. Within the University at Buffalo Undergraduate Student Association, Mitchel serves as Speaker of the Undergraduate Student Assembly for the upcoming school year. He chose to run for this position once again because of the chief role the group plays in championing advocacy initiatives regarding student life and wellbeing throughout the University at Buffalo community. 

Hobbies: Reading, singing, writing, watching VEEP and Parks and Rec., and enjoying the great outdoors in all four of New York's distinct seasons.

Favorite Quote: “Fear is always with us but we just don’t have time for it. Not now.” - HRC

Yamilex is a Political Science major at Stony Brook University. Since setting foot at Stony Brook, she knew she wanted to expand student engagement efforts with regards to the Latin American community on campus. She began by joining the Latin American student organization, where she now serves as president. Yamilex found a passion for increasing diversity campus-wide and catering to the different ethnicities and cultures on campus, and became a committee member for the student diversity, inclusion and equity university council, as well as a senator for our undergraduate student government. Yamilex is very passionate about protecting and advocating for human rights, beginning with education. 

Hobbies: Socializing, reading, Netflix, window shopping

Favorite Quote: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

-MLK

Zion Sherin is the student government president at Hudson Valley Community College.

Hobbies

Favorite Quote

zion.sherin@sunysa.org