UAlbany Students Lead SUNY Student Assembly
ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 12, 2024)—This year marks the 50th anniversary of the State University of New York’s Student Assembly (SUNY SA), a group of representative students who advocate for the interests of their campuses.
Since its inception in 1974, University at Albany students have been well represented in the group, including this academic year.
Giovanni "Gio" Harvey, a UAlbany graduate student in Communication, College of Arts & Sciences, is the current president of SUNY SA. Harvey has always been drawn to advocacy work and ensuring that everyone has access to SUNY's resources. He cites effective communication as a means of empowering people, especially students.
“Communication for me, is about connecting people with what they need to succeed and making sure everyone feels heard — whether it’s working on new advocacy initiatives or speaking to other student leaders,” Harvey said.
Harvey is an active social media user, connecting with students on Instagram by sharing his journeys as he meets with student governing bodies across the 64 SUNY campuses. “Though it’s a busy position, there’s no place like the home base. “[Going to school in the Capital Region] has really driven my vision for the Student Assembly,” he said.
UAlbany students populate the SUNY SA executive cabinet at a rate unmatched by other SUNYs. Half of the public relations and policy & government relations directors positions are held by UAlbany representatives, many of whom are also involved in the UAlbany Student Association.
Senior Advisor to the President for Special Projects & Deputy Chief of Staff Sean Millington recognizes these numbers and says that UAlbany students have a natural gravitation to student politics because they recognize the opportunity to get involved and engaged, being right where policy decisions are made.
Millington is a UAlbany junior majoring in political science, Capital Region native and first-generation college student.
Haddy Gai, SUNY SA chief of staff and UAlbany senior majoring in business administration, added that the location-based opportunities are undeniable. “UAlbany has a lot of opportunities. A place, big or small, is what you make of it. Seek out opportunities and put yourself out there,” she recommended to her peers.
UAlbany students in the Student Assembly are directly working to have a positive impact on SUNY students. Last year, the governing body pushed for an increase in the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), a program to help full-time students receive additional financial assistance. Millington is specifically looking forward to Advocacy Day next semester, an event for SUNY students to speak with elected representatives, held just a bus ride away from campus at the Capitol Building.
SUNY SA will celebrate its 50th anniversary this month in Syracuse with its Fall Conference.
“As we celebrate 50 years of SUNY SA, we’re not just looking back — we’re building a future where every SUNY student has the tools and opportunities to lead, serve and make a difference,” Harvey said.