SUNY Student Assembly Elects Great Danes into Leadership

Omar van Reenen led a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration on the SUNY Oswego campus in June.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 13, 2020) – The Student Assembly of the State University of New York (SUNY SA) will be led by Great Danes this academic year.

Bradley Hershenson, a doctoral student at the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, was elected as the 2020-21 president of SUNY SA at a virtual plenary session of elected student delegates on Friday, Sept 25.

Eusebio Omar van Reenan, a first-year graduate student from Namibia studying public policy at Rockefeller College, was elected vice president during the same event.

“I decided to run for Student Assembly president to work with students from across the state to unite the student voice and fight for investment in SUNY,” said Hershenson. “It is imperative that we work together to preserve the affordability and accessibility of our system – especially in midst of a global pandemic.”

"Now more than ever the students of our Empire State need leaders who will vehemently advocate for them,” added Omar van Reenen. “As the first international student elected to this office, I know the obligation we have to not only give these students a seat at the proverbial table, but a mic to amplify their voices.”

SUNY SA is the recognized student government organization for nearly 1.4 million students across SUNY’s 64 campuses. It is comprised of student leaders elected by their peers and “committed to empowering students throughout the state, and ensuring the representation of its members on the state and national level, as well as throughout the SUNY system.”

Hershenson proceeds Austin Ostro, a two-time UAlbany alum, who served as SUNY SA’s 2019-20 president during his second year of graduate school at Rockefeller College.

Hershenson won a Terra Award last year for his work in engagement and mentoring as an ambassador for sustainability on campus. (Photo by Margaret Hartley)

On campus, Hershenson, a two-time alum, is a graduate assistant in the Office of Sustainability and served as a University Council Member. He was named the SUNY SA director of legislative affairs last year and briefly served as vice president over the summer.

“As President, I look forward to the opportunity to work with the students, faculty, administration and alumni of SUNY as well as our champions in government to strengthen academic excellence, educational opportunity and student success in public higher education,” said Hershenson. Stability of funding at the organization, campus, and system-level will remain at the forefront of our agenda as we work to create a more diverse and inclusive environment for all at SUNY.”

Bryce Mack, a student of SUNY New Paltz was re-elected as SUNY SA treasurer. Kelvin (Angel) Cooke, a student studying epidemiology at Monroe Community College was elected as secretary.