STONY BROOK, N.Y., November 21, 2008 — Stony Brook University seniors Mark Geraci and Sana Hashmi have been selected to serve as student representatives on the Youth Service Committee, as part of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service. The Committee is a brand new program endorsed by New York State Governor David A. Patterson, and will have a significant role in the approval of community service grants, policies, procedures, and funding proposals submitted to the Corporation for National and Community Service. Both Mr. Geraci and Ms. Hashmi were selected to serve as student representatives based on letters of recommendation from Stony Brook University faculty and staff, their exemplary employment and volunteer experience, and their outstanding leadership abilities.
Sana Hashmi and Mark Geraci
Mr. Geraci, a member of Stony Brook University’s Honors College, is double majoring in History and Political Science. He is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, and the Pre-Law Society. His work experience includes an internship at the New York State Supreme Court in 2007, a peer mentoring position at the Catholic Campus Ministry, and service as a student representative on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Academic Judiciary Committee. Mr. Geraci also has extensive volunteer experience in soup kitchens and with collecting items for the homeless.
Ms. Hashmi, also part of Stony Brook University’s Honors College, is double majoring in Biology and Sociology, with a minor in History. She is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and the Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society. Her work experience includes her current position as a student staff assistant in the Dean of Students office, and service as a student representative on the Provost Selection Committee and the Academic Judiciary Committee. Ms. Hashmi is the President of the Alternative Spring Break Outreach (ASBO) initiative for the 2008-2009 academic year, and is a member of the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) and the AmeriCorps Education Award program.
As Committee members, both Mr. Geraci and Ms. Hashmi will establish and hold meetings of a Youth Leadership Commission of 12-18 New Yorkers who represent the geographic diversity of the state and are between the ages of 16 and 25. They will also identify unique ways to reach out to young New Yorkers, between the ages of 12 and 23, to promote the value of volunteering, service- learning, and national service programs across the state. They will coordinate with state and local entities, including New York Campus Compact and other colleges, universities, and local school systems to coordinate service projects, and they will serve as liaisons to the State Commission on National and Community Service to communicate outreach initiatives to engage New Yorkers in service activities. The Committee’s first meeting was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany on Wednesday, November 19.
