Senators

John F. Boyd II, Senator

jfb316@nyu.edu, Phone: (516) 987-2431

John Boyd is currently a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Social Cultural Analysis with dual concentrations on American and Africana Studies.

Nishant Thakkar, Senator

nst230@nyu.edu, Phone: (212) 960-3029

Nishant Thakkar is an international student at the NYU College of Dentistry. A practicing dentist in India, Nishant came to the US to pursue a Masters Program in Dental Public Health at UMDNJ, Newark. During his time there (and even at NYU) Nishant has been a strong proponent of the spirit of volunteerism and community service. He has constantly been volunteering at the American Red Cross in Greater New York, National September 11 Memorial and Museum and New York Cares. After joining NYUCD, he took over the reins of the Community Service Club @ NYUCD as a President and has been awarded the President's Service Award at NYU. Nishant is serving his maiden term in the NYUCD Student Government and as a Senator on the SSC.

Celeana M. Powder, Senator

powder@nyu.edu, Phone: (212) 998-5015

Celaena Powder, born and raised in Alaska, is an undergraduate senior at NYU Gallatin studying Corruption. As well as representing Gallatin on the Student Senators Council, she is the Council's Executive Treasurer. Celaena is on the NYU Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team, the Violet Femmes, and is researching economic regulation in regards to consumer and investor protection.

On the SSC, she serves as the Treasurer of the Executive Committee and Vice-Chair of the All-Square Student Budget Allocation Committee.

Dan Porsa, Senator

dp1530@nyu.edu, Phone: (917) 400-9293

Dan completed his undergraduate degree in Philosophy at the University of Hull, in the UK, in 2004. He has subsequently spent eight years in service with the British Army, including two tours of Afghanistan. He is now studying with the Draper Program in GSAS.

On the SSC he serves on the Graduate Affairs Committee.

Corey Blay, Graduate Senator

cab672@nyu.edu, Phone: (917) 361-4249

Corey is a second-year dual degree MBA/MPA student, pursuing specializations in Social Innovation and Impact, Entrepreneurship, and Management at Stern and Urban Policy at Wagner. He was a 2012 Education Pioneers Graduate Fellow and Stern Social Impact Internship Fellowship this summer, working at Teach For America on its strategy and diversity teams to create a staff mentorship program. At Stern, Corey is the President of the Government and Business Association and the Vice President for External Relations of SCorp (Stern's student government). Prior to graduate school, he was a teacher and administrator at an independent private high school in New York City. Corey is a 2004 graduate of the University of Chicago with a B.A. in African-American Studies and Public Policy.

On the SSC he serves on the Graduate Affairs Committee and the 2031 Space Allocation Committee.

Anthony Beshay, Undergraduate Senator

anthony.beshay@stern.nyu.edu, Phone: (714) 803-2042

Anthony is currently a senior studying finance and economics at Stern. In addition to serving on both the Student Senators Council and Stern Student Council, Anthony is an admissions ambassador for Stern as well as a founding member of Stern Ink., Stern's first weekly satirical publication.

On the SSC he serves on the All-Square Student Budget Allocation Committee (ASSBAC) and the Student Advisory Budget Allocation Committee (SABAC).

Griffin Simpson, Senator

gjs302@nyu.edu, Phone: (315) 783-5692

Griffin Simpson is a sophomore in Liberal Studies, with a prospective interest in Politics, Philosophy and Irish Studies. Originally from Northern New York, this is Griffin's first year on the Student Senate. Outside of his work on the Senate, Griffin rows for the NYU Crew team.

On the SSC he serves on the Internet Technology Advisory Board (iTAB), the Student Health Advisory Board, and the All-Square Student Budget Allocation Committee (ASSBAC).

Tai Cooper, Senator

tmc348@nyu.edu, Phone: (212) 998-5015

Tai is currently pursuing a Masters of Urban Planning at the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service at New York University. Formerly a Senior Aide for special projects and constituencies to Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Cooper most recently served as the Chief of Staff for Orange Township (NJ) Mayor Eldridge Hawkins Jr. A Newark, New Jersey native, Cooper graduated from Rutgers University (Douglass College) where she received the Hazel Frank Gluck Individual Leadership Award and served as Vice President of Douglass College’s Government Association and Co-Chair of the University Senate Student Affairs Committee. Cooper also serves as a founding Steering Committee member for the Run Sister Run leadership program which encourages minority women to campaign for public office.

On the SSC she serves as the Chair of the Graduate Affairs Committee and is a member of the External Affairs Committee.

Brian Plaut, Senator

bp814@nyu.edu, Phone: (516) 312-2872

Brian Plaut is a junior studying Hospitality and Tourism Management in the Tisch Center of SCPS Undergraduate. While it is only his first year serving as the Senator for SCPS Graduate and Undergraduate students, Brian served as the Treasurer of the Undergraduate Student Council and chaired the Events Committee which helps in the planning of the annual SCPS Semi Formal. In addition to his work in the SSC and SCPS Student Councils, Brian is also very involved in Residential Life. His current positions include serving as a Resident Assistant in Founders Hall, the Finance Chair of the National Residence Hall Honorary, and as the Treasurer of the RA Council.

On the SSC he serves as the Chair of the Alumni Relations Committee and serves on the All-Square Student Budget Allocation Committee and External Affairs Committee.

Patrick Totaro, Senator

prt233@nyu.edu, Phone: (914) 539-5841

Patrick Totaro is a J.D. student at NYU's School of Law. Although he received his bachelor's degree in history and international studies from the University of Kansas, he returned home to NYC to study law so he could fight the good fight. In the meantime, he is excited to represent the students of the Law School.

On the SSC he serves on the Student Advisory Budget Allocation Committee (SABAC) and the Student Services Committee.

Ashley Valencia, Senator

ashley.valencia@med.nyu.edu, Phone: (212) 998-5015

I moved to New York City from Seattle where I graduated from the University of Washington and majored in Neurobiology. I'm currently a second year student at the School of Medicine and hope to one day become a surgeon. I love representing the interests of our student body, advocating for issues we find important, and planning events that bring all of us together.

On the SSC she serves on the Student Health Advisory Board Committee.

Ikechi Nwanko, Senator

idn206@nyu.edu, Phone: (530) 220-0838

Ikechi is a second year graduate student at Silver School of Social Work. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, he grew up in San Francisco, California before attending University of California Davis where he graduated in 2006. An avid 49er fan, he is currently interning at a substance abuse clinic in Lower Manhattan, working with dual diagnosis patients.

On the SSC he serves on the Student Services Committee and the Student Health Advisory Board Committee.

Christian Acevedo, Graduate Senator

ca1194@nyu.edu, Phone: (956) 451-8495

Christian Acevedo is a second year graduate student in the Educational Leadership, Politics & Advocacy program in Steinhardt. He hails from a small town in south Texas, however completed his undergraduate degree in English & Spanish at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em Horns!). Currently he proudly sits as the university senator of the Steinhardt Graduate Student Organization and one of the Co-Leaders of the Queer Grads group in the LGBTQ Student Center. His passion lies in the advancement of English Language Learners within the American education system and is seeking an internship with UNESCO as well as a fellowship with a federal agency in Washington, D.C. upon graduation.

On the SSC he serves on the Academic Services Committee and the Graduate Affairs Committee.

Jameson P. Lee, Senator

jamesonlee@nyu.edu, Phone: (215) 688-7041

Jameson is a senior studying Media, Culture, and Communication in Steinhardt. He is originally from a small suburb of Philadelphia called Newtown, Pennsylvania. This is his second year proudly serving as Steinhardt's Undergraduate Senator. Beyond his work in the Student Senators Council and in Steinhardt's Undergraduate Student Government, Jameson works as a Resident Assisant for first-year students in Goddard Hall, gives tours to prospective students as an Admissions Ambassador, and interns at Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and MTV.

On the SSC he serves as the Chair of the Student Services Committee and is a member of the Alumni Relations Committee.

Ali Sajjadi, Graduate Senator

sas909@nyu.edu, Phone: (408) 750-6768

Ali is a master's candidate at the Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) where he's exploring the intersections of art and technology. His personal interests include improving healthcare and how technology can help improve empathy and communications. Before NYU Ali was a published freelance photojournalist as well as a Systems Administrator for a healthcare company California.

On the SSC he serves on the Alumni Relations Committee.

Renee Mao, Undergraduate Senator

rjm470@nyu.edu

Renee Mao is currently a sophomore in the Film and Television department at NYU’s Tisch School Of The Arts. She is originally from Perth, Australia but spent her last three years of high school in Beijing, China. Now she is in New York to pursue her love for filmmaking, and hopes that in the future her passion for storytelling will allow her to continue her travels around the world.

On the SSC she serves on the Public Relations Committee and the International Affairs Committee.

Alicia Bell, Senator

alicia.bell@nyu.edu, Phone: (929) 234-8333

Alicia Bell is in her final year at NYU Steinhardt completing a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy. Her passion is social justice, which is why she's worked with the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, the Participatory Action Research Center for Education and Organizing, and several grassroots organizations along the way. In addition to being a Student Senator At-Large, Alicia currently serves as a Resident Assistant at Goddard Hall and as a Graduate Assistant at NYU's Center for Multicultural Education and Programs.

On the SSC she serves as the Chair of the Academic Services Committee and is a member of the Graduate Affairs Committee.

Stephanie Gent, Senator

srg320@nyu.edu

Stephanie is a second year graduate student in the MBA Program at the Stern School of Business where she is a Vice President of both the Government and Business Association and The Social Enterprise Association. Prior to Stern, Stephanie worked in The Office of Policy Planning at The State Department in Washington, DC. There she focused on women's empowerment, global youth engagement, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Stephanie has BA in Political Science from The Ohio State University.

On the SSC she as the Co-Chair of the Graduate Affairs Committee and is a member of the Public Relations Committee.

Rhoen Pruesse-Adams, Senator

rpa231@nyu.edu, Phone: (802) 310-1136

Rhoen is an undergraduate senior at Gallatin studying politics and power. Rhoen represents students as a Senator at-Large, with a constituency focus on commuter, and study-abroad students.

He has been a member of the NYU Swing club and Latin and Ballroom dance club. He is originally from Burlington, Vermont and loves to ski. He hopes that through student council he can positively effect the student experience at NYU.

On the SSC he serves on the Academic Services Committee, the Public Relations Committee, and the All-Square Student Budget Allocation Committee.

Mariam Ehrari, Senator

mariam.ehrari@nyu.edu, Phone: (631) 748-9680

Mariam is a junior majoring in Economics in the College of Arts and Science. Mariam represents students as a Senator at-Large on the SSC.

Her work with the Student Senators Council originally began as a school senator for Liberal Studies but with her determination to help the student body in its entirety, this year she serves as a Senator at Large. As a keen traveler, Mariam is a big proponent of the Global Network University, speaks French and Farsi fluently, with working knowledge of Urdu and literary components of Arabic.

Committees serves on: External Affairs Committee, All-Square Student Budget Allocation Committee, ITAB, and the Alumni Relations Committee.

Malina Webb, Senator

malina.webb@nyu.edu, Phone: (987) 587-1033

A senior, she is majoring in Sociology in the College of Arts and Science and double minoring in Business Studies & Management and Public Policy. Malina represents students as a Senator at-Large on the SSC.

Malina is also a first-year resident assistant at Weinstein Hall. As a first generation college student, she is taking full advantage of all opportunities at NYU.

Malina serves as the 2012-2013 Chair of the Student Senators Council.

Mason Dettloff, Senator

mason.dettloff@nyu.edu, Phone: (702) 249-5371

Mason Dettloff is from Las Vegas, Nevada and is pursuing a major in Politics and a minor in Religious Studies. Mason represents students as a Senator at-Large on the SSC.

With a passion for politics and student advocacy, Mason has participated in several programs that have sent him to New York stateʼs capital and Washington DC to advocate for financial aid on behalf of studentsʼ at NYU. In 2011 he was an NYU John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress Scholar.

On the SSC, he serves as Secretary of the Executive Committee, Vice-Chair of the Student Activities Board and Chair of the Student Senate Pubic Relations committee.

Committees serves on: Student Activities Board, All-Square Student Budget Allocation Committee, Public Relations, External Affairs, and the University Senate Judicial Board Committee.

Rocco Puno, Senator

rep278@nyu.edu, Phone: (917) 775-1487

Rocco is a senior in the College of Arts and Science studying Economics. Rocco represents students as a Senator at-Large, with a constituency focus on international and greek-life students.

An international student from the Philippines, he is tasked with representing the interests of international students on the University-level as an At-Large senator. As the Vice Chairman of the SSC, Rocco also serves as the Chairperson of the Student Activities Board, a group that oversees over 300 All-Square Student Organizations. In addition to the SSC, Rocco is the Chairperson of the 1831 fund and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

On the SSC, he serves as Vice Chair of the SSC and Chair of the Student Activities Board.

Committees serves on: Student Activities Board, Alumni Relations Committee, and the Internation Affaris Committee.