Meet Our Student Government Association Officers and Senators

Charles is also a member of the Dungeons and Dragons Club and in the TRIO program.

What are your goals as a student leader?
To better the experiences of students at the College and to get people involved. 

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
After going to a four-year or six-year school, I want to get involved with politics.

What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
I'm usually working non-stop on college work or working for SGA, but I do get time to game sometimes and spend quality time with family and friends.

Who gives you the best advice?
School wise, Mary from TRIO and Steve from Student Affairs. In my personal life, my grandmother and mother.

What’s a motto that you live by?
"Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place." Thomas Shelby

Who’s your favorite band or artist?
Frank Sinatra

Favorite study snack?
I don’t eat when I work, but if I had to choose I'd say Cheerios, no milk just a handful of cheerios.

Alexandre also works as as a Peer Tutor in the Learning Center and a Barista at the Joshua Schwartz Cafe in the Learning Commons. 

What are your goals as a student leader?
My goal is to be a bridge between student voices and staff at the College willing to utilize student input.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I plan on transferring to a four-year college.

What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
I am an amateur basketball player; I try to spend my time training to hopefully play for the college I transfer to.

Who gives you the best advice?
My big brother and my mom; they’re outside the box thinkers.

What’s a motto that you live by?
Does anyone live by one motto? My life motto is to learn more life mottos.

Who’s your favorite band or artist?
Koffi Olomide goes hard.

Favorite study snack?
A full course meal usually loso, madesu na soso (rice, beans and chicken).

Maureen is also Vice President of the Interntational/English Language Learners Club and a Student Worker in the Food Pantry and Foundation.
 
What are your goals as a student leader?
My aim is to bring all the perspectives of my fellow students into the board room, creating an inclusive environment for all students and reminding them that they are not alone in this journey, being a mentor and guiding them towards achieving a goal. I understand that every student comes from a different background; their viewpoints will be recognized. I am ready to learn from them and empathize with them. 

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I am planning to transfer my credits in my Accounting major for my bachelor's degree and later after obtaining my accounting degree, I plan to become a CPA. 

What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
Cooking, reading, writing, going to the gym, and volunteering at the City Mission of Schenectady. 

Who gives you the best advice and why?
Marie—Odile Savarit, my mentor. She gives me more motivation to keep going no matter what comes my way. She always reminds me how much the best she wants for me. Not only that, sometimes fear gets in my way, but she is one person who has reminded me not to be afraid of anything. She is the reason behind my confidence. 

What’s a motto that you live by?
"You are not controlled by your circumstances; you are controlled by how you see those circumstances."

Who’s your favorite band or artist?
Lauren Diaigle

Favorite study snack?
Milk chocolate

Dylan is also a member of the Dungeons and Dragons Club.

What are your goals as a student leader?
To make sure the student body is happy and enjoy their time here.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
To eventually start a catering company. 
 
What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
Working as a line cook, cooking at home, and listening to audiobooks. 

Who gives you the best advice?
My mom because she was always with me at my lowest moments. 

What’s a motto that you live by?
"You can’t change the past, but you can change your future." 

Who’s your favorite band or artist?
Elton John

Favorite study snack?
Energy drink

Amarianna is in the Schenectady Smart Transfer Early College High School Program.

What are your goals as a student leader?
One of the main goals when it comes to being a student leader is giving a voice to the Smart Transfer community. I noticed these past three semesters that not everyone knows what the program is about and the process of being a full-time college student at the age of 16. I want to have Smart Transfer students be more comfortable with being a part of the campus culture as well as having SUNY Schenectady be more involved with the program. That would look like having more pictures of the students in the program or simply just about the program being a thing to get the word out there for my peers outside of the program who might have someone interested in this amazing opportunity. Another one of my goals as a student leader is to have the College be even more inclusive than last year. I saw a lot of clubs and opportunities for various cultures to show their true colors. However, I think it’s equally as important to educate others about multiple aspects when it comes to different cultures and subcultures (such as the LGBTQ+ community). I hope to have more cultural holidays mentioned throughout the Twitter page or having small events here and there similar to the ones held last semester. Beyond paying tribute to cultures, I want to provide a place for all students to vent about current or past events that have a positive or negative effect on society that not a lot of people pay attention to. My overall goal is to give confidence and a voice to those who feel as if they don’t matter or feel left out when it comes to being able to express themselves whether it’s on or off campus. 

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I plan to transfer to a four-year institution to continue my degree in Business.

What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
When I’m not going to the College, I spend most of my time reorganizing, doing homework for my classes, or working. 

Who gives you the best advice and why?
This might sound vain, but I think I will give myself the best advice. I do get others' perspectives on certain situations, but no one knows me the way I do. Nobody but myself went through my exact situations. I feel as if by taking the time to process what happened and looking at things from different points of view, I will be able to give myself the best advice possible.

What’s a motto that you live by?
"While it may seem like a failure to outsiders, it’s a lesson for yourself on how to do better FOR YOU."

Who’s your favorite band or artist?
I don’t have a favorite band or artist.

Favorite study snack?
Some kind of candy or fruit (mainly watermelon).

 

Annelise is also a member of the Dungeons and Dragons Club and in the TRIO Program. 

What are your goals as a student leader?
To promote a sense of community across the College campus.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I would like to continue my education and move on to graduate school.

What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
I also work as well as spend my time at home as a parent of a special needs child. 

Who gives you the best advice?
Me, because I know my own life better than anyone else. 

What’s a motto that you live by?
“It is what it is.”

Who’s your favorite band or artist?
Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Favorite study snack?
Redbull

Tagreed is also a member of the Educational Opportunity Program, TRIO Program, Muslim Student Asssociation, Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP),  and the International/English Language Learners Club.

What are your goals as a student leader?
To make sure that I represent the concerns and voices of the students. For example, I feel that there should be more support for ESL students.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
Continue my studies and pursue a career in healthcare. 

What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
Working and taking care of my daughter.

Who gives you the best advice?
My mom.

What’s a motto that you live by?
"Work hard and succeed." 

Who’s your favorite band or artist?
I listen to Arabic music.

Favorite study snack?
Potato chips.

Abhishek is also a member of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Student Activities Board, International/English Language Learners Club, and Community and Cultural Events Committee. 

What are your goals as a student leader?
To be an advocate for those in need, to inspire students to speak up for themselves, and to create a safe learning space for everyone in all aspects.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
Utilize my certificate, two associate degrees and bachelor's degree to my advantage by studying for the MCAT and applying for medical school.

What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
I work and volunteer.

Who gives you the best advice and why?
My parents, as it is usually short and simple but takes me far upon implementation.

What’s a motto that you live by?
"In the joy of others lies our own."

Favorite study snack?
Bananas and avocados.

Ryan is also on the Sustainability Committee and Student Activities Board, and is a member of the Garden Club.

What are your goals as a student leader?
My goals as a student leader are to encourage other students to get involved with helping our environment by leading activities such as trash clean ups around campus and by spreading the word about local environmental marches.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
My plan is to transfer to UAlbany and study Political Science.

What do you do when you’re not going to the College?
When I’m not in school, I have outdoor hobbies. I like to bike, hike, travel, spend time with my family, and hang out with my friends.

Who gives you the best advice?
My parents give me the best advise because they always try to encourage me to do my best at things. They know me best and want me to have a good future doing something that makes me happy.

What’s a motto that you live by?
“Keep Our Earth Green.”

Who’s your favorite band/artist?
I don’t really have a favorite band or artist, but I like a variety of music.

Favorite study snack?
Tortilla chips.