Student Leaders Chart Course for Year Ahead
September 10, 2024
The college’s Student Senate works hard to promote new ideas, organize events and activities, advocate for student needs and increase engagement, and incoming leaders Austin Shulkin, Ryan Connors, Kayleigh Carrino and Andrew Lee, have ambitious plans for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
One of the Senate leaders’ first priorities is student engagement and empowerment; one of three major pillars that they have established for their success.
“Not only do we want to get students involved by coming to Senate meetings or by joining one of our active clubs, but then we want to empower them with new programs and services too,” said Student Senate President Austin Shulkin. “We also want to give them leadership and growth opportunities and set them up with opportunities where they can develop new skills and excel.”
Their second pillar is communication. The Senate leaders hope to keep students informed and in the loop of campus doings by creating Student Senate social media accounts and regularly posting relevant information for students.
Inclusiveness is a third pillar. The group is following in the footsteps of the previous student leaders, and they explained that they hope their efforts can serve as an example for future Senate leaders.
“Looking back at our predecessors, I think they did an amazing job getting everyone involved. They made sure to capture and celebrate the voices of everyone,” said Connors. “Creating a diverse and inclusive Senate very early in the year is important. Getting people involved from all sectors, nontraditional students, traditional students, people from different backgrounds and different majors, so that everyone is represented, is key.”
The student leaders expressed that they hope all students take advantage of the many opportunities on campus, whether that’s athletics, student-led clubs, student government or academic resources.
Learn more about the Student Senate leadership below.
Austin Shulkin, Student Senate president, is a Business Administration student from Kinderhook. This year, he is looking forward to engaging and empowering HVCC students within the campus community. “Being a student leader at Hudson Valley means making a positive impact on our campus community, fostering greater student camaraderie and growing alongside my peers,” he said.
Ryan Connors, Student Senate vice president, is a Business Administration student from Clifton Park. This year, in addition to his elected position as the student representative on the Board of Trustees, he is prioritizing getting more students involved and aware of the happening on campus. “I find joy in connecting with others and am happiest when helping those around me. I hope to leave a lasting impact on the Hudson Valley community; after all, I believe the real return on investment of college is who you meet,” he said.
Kayleigh Carrino, Student Senate secretary, is a Business Administration student from Cambridge. She aspires to do social media marketing and hopes that the Student Senate can connect students and provide fun in the midst of their classes and school work. “To be a student leader at Hudson Valley, to me, means continuing a path of compassion, student encouragement, building a strong team and most of all, being in a respectable environment that people continue to strive to do their best in,” she added.
Andrew Lee, Student Senate treasurer, is an Engineering Science student from Latham. He is focused on transparency as a key goal, making students aware of what their money is going towards and how they can take advantage of student activities and academic opportunities they support. He hopes to be an advocate for all students at the college, and stated, “To me, being a student leader means being present for every student. We are here to listen and then act on behalf of the students as a whole.”