Meet Our GOLD Leader Mentors

WHAT IS A GOLD LEADER MENTOR?

GOLD Leader Mentors are student leaders who volunteer their time to work with the GOLD program. Mentors staff the GOLD Leadership Center in MacVittie College Union Room 114 weekday afternoons & evenings, participate in GOLD events and complete certificate programs, serve as role models for other student leaders and campus organizations, provide information on campus activities and organizations, and help students to make connections to get involved in campus life.

The mentor staff introduces speakers at workshops, oversee student Personal Development Sessions and provide support and assistance for all GOLD programs, including Leadership Certificate Programs. Student leaders and students enrolled in the GOLD Leadership Certificate Program are encouraged to apply for the leader mentor positions in the spring semester. Become a GOLD Leader Mentor. Expectations of Mentors.

MEET OUR 2012-2013 GOLD LEADER MENTORS!

CHAZ ABAD

is a sophomore Accounting Major. He runs Cross-Country and Track & Field at Geneseo. During his free time on weekends he volunteers at the Teresa House hospice.

Fun fact about Chaz: He won a road race this summer with over 7,000 competitors.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "The miracle isn't that I finished, the miracle is that I had the courage to start." ()

ALEXIS ANNITTO

is a sophomore Math major with a Business Studies minor from Long Island, New York. In addition to being a GOLD Mentor, Alexis is the Philanthropy Chair for the Regional NEACURH conference, an Orientation Advisor, and the Inter-Residence Council (IRC) Representative for Allegany Hall. GOLD is a unique program that fits everyone's needs in some way or form and allows students to take part in the workshops at your own pace. Her best advice is to try different workshops because you never know what you might get out of it.

Fun fact about Alexis: Country is her favorite type of music.
Favorite Leadership Quote: " A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." (John C. Maxwell)

JACOB BLISS

is a junior Business Administration major with a Sociology minor from Wolcott, NY. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Jacob is in Phi Beta Lambda, Geneseo Toastmasters and works at Red Jacket as a supervisor. The leader Jacob admires most is Winston Churchill, for his ability to cement an entire country together in the face of a World War with only his words. He feels like the GOLD program is the best place to become acquainted with and to expand on your leadership roles and responsibilities. His advice is to start workshops as soon as you arrive on the first day to make sure you earn all the awesome certificates.

Fun fact about Jacob: He is a certified scuba diver.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "." (l)

RACHEL BOWEN

is a sophomore Psychology major with a Business minor from Rochester, NY. In addition to being a GOLD Mentor, Rachel is involved with Psychology Club and is pledging the service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. Her most admired leader is her mother because she is such a strong woman and encourages her to always stay true to herself and to do her best. Rachel believes that the GOLD program is making a positive impact in the lives of the students at SUNY Geneseo and that future leaders are being born. The program touches on so many areas that relate to college and the working world. Her advice is to find what GOLD workshops appeal to you and to take as many as you can fit into your schedule.

Fun fact about Rachel: She is doing Psychology research with Dr. Schneider, who is a fantastic professor!
Favorite Leadership Quote: "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." (John C. Maxwell)

MATTHEW BOWER

is a senior Psychology and Philosophy double major in the Edgar Fellows Honors Program from Fillmore, NY. In addition to being a GOLD Mentor, he serves as the Student Association Director of Student Programming, the Assistant Residence Director of Dante House and Suffolk Hall, the Vice President of the Golden Key International Honour Society, the Research Coordinator of the Psi Chi International Honor Society, an active member of National Residence Hall Honorary, and sits on the Board of Directors of Livingston CARES. The leader that Matt most admires is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the pioneer of Satyagraha--resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon total nonviolence. Unlike any other program, Matt believes that GOLD teaches both holistic leadership theory and concrete technical skills which can be applied to any career field. His advice to anyone who is interested in GOLD is to get involved as soon as possible.

Fun fact about Matt: He loves to play tennis.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a living." (Arthur Ashe)

SAMANTHA CRAMER

is a junior Anthropology major with a minor in Central and Eastern European Studies. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Sam is also the Senior Resident Assistant of Allegany Hall, and a member of Geneseo Hillel. She is also on the National Advisory Council for the Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network, advocating for safer schools for all students. Sam loves the GOLD program because it is a great way to cultivate leadership skills at your own pace. You can take a variety of different workshops at the times that suit you best.

Fun fact about Samantha: She has a laugh that can be heard from anywhere on campus.
Favorite leadership quote: "Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." (Theodore Roosevelt)

SAMANTHA DAVIDSON

is a sophomore biochemistry major with a pre-med concentration from Cortlandt Manor, NY. In addition to being a GOLD Leader Mentor Sam also is an active member of the Community Health Alliance and the Biology club. She also volunteers at the Parish Outreach Center. The person that most inspires her is her grandmother because she was able to persevere through everything life threw at her and she taught Sam that giving up is never the answer and that everything truly worthwhile in life takes hard work. Sam believes that the GOLD program offers valuable skills that cannot be learned in the classroom. It has such a variety of opportunities to gain knowledge in different fields, with the underlying theme of developing one’s own leadership style. Her favorite part about the GOLD program is the diversity of students that participate in it and as a result the ability to experience different perspectives and incorporating those different viewpoints into her still developing leadership style. Her advice is to pick workshops that truly interest you because then you will get so much more out of the experience!

Fun fact about Samantha: She used to live in Yellowstone National Park and her favorite animal is a duck!
Favorite Leadership Quote: "The real leader has no need to lead- he is content to point the way." (Henry Miller)

IWONA DRAPALA

is a senior Economics and Math double major from Brooklyn, New York. In addition to being a GOLD Mentor,Iwona is a Resident Assistant in Nassau Hall, as well as an active member in Orchesis Dance club. The leader she admires most is Ban Ki-moon because of his strides to reform peacekeeping, as well as other diplomatic issues around the world. Iwona feels that the GOLD program is an excellent opportunity to get involved in learning about leadership skills, as well developing new ones. Her advice to anyone interested in the GOLD Program is to attend workshops with an open mind, because there are so many things to be learned!

Fun fact about Iwona: She is fluent in Polish!
Favorite Leadership Quote: "?" ()

LINDSAY GIACALONE

is a senior Mathematics Adolescent Education Major from Shoreham, NY. In addition to being a GOLD Mentor, she is the secretary for both the Elementary and Adolescent Education Association and Geneseo's math club, PRISM. The people Lindsay most admires are her parents. GOLD is one that everyone should get involved in because it teaches every participant what it means to be a great leader by teaching transitional skills that can be used anywhere. Her advice to anyone interested in GOLD is to not only take workshops that interest you, but to actively participate in them. If you attend workshops that interest you, you will get the most out of the GOLD Program.

Fun fact about Lindsay: I traveled abroad to Greece and Italy.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "Never... Never... Never... Never give up!" (Winston Churchill)

MELISSA GRAHAM

is a senior Biology major with minors in Psychology and Environmental Studies from Orchard Park, New York. In addition to being a GOLD Leader Mentor, Melissa is a Resident Assistant in Ontario Hall and serves as a captain on the women's basketball team. She is also an active member of the National Residence Hall Honorary. Her most admired leader is former Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy. Melissa finds GOLD to be a unique program that allows students to gain life skills from both the workshop presenters and other students attending the workshops. GOLD offers students an opportunity to collaborate their leadership experiences and to grow in a variety of areas. Her advice to students is to set a goal at the start of each semester of what they want to accomplish in regards to GOLD and each week make a commitment to reaching that goal through attending workshops, writing journals, and gaining leadership experiences.

Fun fact about Melissa: She loves to creep walk with her yellow lab Peyton.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "People have to be given the freedom to show the heart they possess. I think it's a leader's responsibility to provide that type of freedom. And I believe it can be done through relationships and family. Because if a team is a real family, its members want to show you their hearts." (Coach K)

KATHERINE GULLO

is a junior Mathematics and Physics double major from Liverpool, NY. In addition to being a GOLD Leader Mentor, Kate is a Resident Assistant in Livingston Hall, a tutor in the Math Learning Center, and a Lab Instructor in the Physics department. The leader that most inspires her is Michelle Obama, taking every opportunity she can to inspire the people she influences. Kate's favorite aspect of the GOLD program is its variability to suit every student's needs. She also loves the self discovery that inevitably comes along with developing one's leadership skills. Her best advice to students is to always wear a smile and to treasure every personal encounter in both their time at Geneseo and in their lives.

Fun fact about Katherine: She was born in Pennsylvania but has never lived outside of New York.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." (JFK)

ASHLEY JONES

is a sophomore Accounting major from Endwell, NY. In addition to being a GOLD Mentor, she serves a Resident Assistant for Onondaga Hall, an Event Coordinator for the Society for Women in Business, a tour guide and a member of the Accounting Society.

Fun fact about Ashley: She interned with a state senator this summer.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "We are what we repeatedly do, excellence therefore is not an act but a habit." (Aristotle )

ABBY KLUTTS

is a junior Biochemistry major from Harpursville, NY. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Abby plays for the women's field hockey team. She is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, the Geneseo string band, Undergraduate Alumni Association and the women's club ice hockey team. Her most admired leader is her brother Dan, because of his fearless attitude about sticking up for people and keen ability to lead by example. Abby sees GOLD as an opportunity to develop as an individual and interact and network with new and exciting people. Her advice to students is not to take themselves too seriously. Try new things and take interesting workshops because you want to, not because it looks good on a resume.

Fun fact about Abby: She sometimes opts to take the hearse on errands around her hometown.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "If you want a quality, act as if you already had it." (William James)

BRANDI MARTIN

is a junior Business Administration and Psychology double major from Long Island, New York. Besides being involved in the GOLD program, Brandi also is a sister of Sigma Delta Tau and mentors high school teenagers through the HEROS club on campus. She is in both the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and Golden Key International Honour Society. The person Brandi admires most is her father, John for being the most determined and hard working individual she knows. She believes the GOLD program is truly useful and provides many realistic opportunities to help you develop into a successful individual. Her advice is to look at the workshop catalog because you would be surprised at the variety of appealing workshops available!

Fun fact about Brandi: She loves painting her nails.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "Leadership: the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

DAN MARTIN

is a Undeclared freshman, looking into the fields of Economics and Communications. He is from a small town in Syracuse, NY. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Dan is an Inter Residence Council (IRC) representative from Onondaga Hall, on the Undergraduate Student Association Elections Committee (USAEC), the treasurer for Men's club tennis, and a very active member of both Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) and Finance club. The leader Dan most admires is his father because he has never led Dan down the wrong path and has always had Dan's best interest at heart. Dan believes that the GOLD program is successfully teaching young student leaders how to successfully grow as leaders and individuals. Dan knows that any students involved in GOLD will use what they learn to better themselves during their time at Geneseo as well as after graduation.

Fun fact about Dan: He has won multiple Ping Pong tournaments.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination." (Tommy Lasorda, LA Dodger's Manager)

DANIEL MATTHEWS

is a junior Political Science and International Relations major from Massena, New York. In addition to being a GOLD student mentor, Dan is also the Fundraising Chair and “Deep Freeze” Co-Chair for the National Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho, a College Student Senator, a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and has also participated on various work trips for Habitat for Humanity. Dan admires Martin Luther King Jr. for his dedication to social justice and his use of civil disobedience to inspire others to challenge the status of minorities in American society. Dan believes that GOLD offers students a unique opportunity to develop valuable skills that will assist them with future careers and positions. Dan’s advice to students is to take as many workshops as they can fit into their schedules and aim for completing all certificates by the time they graduate.

Fun fact about Dan: He studied abroad in Argentina 2011 Winter Break and in Russia Summer 2012.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." (John Quincy Adams)

CHIKAMSO ODUME

is a junior International Relations major with a minor in Spanish from Bronx, NY. In addition to Gold, I am the vice president of FACE AIDS and a graduate of Women's Leadership Institute. I am also a member of Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor society, the Ghana Project and the Model United Nations. I love Gold because it has given me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills, something that i think is essential in the life of everyone.

Fun fact about Chikamso: She has no survival skills, cant skate, cant swim, cant even ride a bike. I can ice skate though but that is about it.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership." (Nelson Mandela)

NICHOLAS PALUMBO

is a junior Psychology major and Biology minor from Utica, New York. Besides being a GOLD Leader Mentor, Nicholas is the Student Affairs Commission Representative for the Psychology club. He also is an Undergraduate Research Assistant with the Sibling and Peer Research Group in the Psychology department. Nicholas has been employed since the summer of 2010 as a Care Attendant on the Oncology floor of Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital. The person that he admires the most is his father. Nicholas finds the GOLD program to be an incredible way to network oneself not just amongst your peers, but also amongst alumni of Geneseo. As well as learning life skills that might not be necessarily taught in the classroom that will follow GOLD certificate holders with them far beyond their undergraduate time at Geneseo. His advice to any new students to the GOLD program is to take as many workshops as you can; even if they may not seem inherently the most appealing, you will be surprised to find out how much you can learn!

Fun fact about Nick: He worked on the "Obama for America" campaign during the 2008 election.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." (President Barack Obama)

LISA PELLEGRINO

is a junior English and Adolescent Education major from Commack, New York. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Lisa is the secretary of Delta Phi Epsilon, the secretary of the English Honor Society, an AOP tutor, and participates on the eboard of Students For Education Reform as Membership Development. She believes that GOLD is a great way for students to develop skills outside of the classroom that will apply to their life after Geneseo. Her advice for new GOLD students is to explore new ideas and break out of their comfort zones. She believes the workshops are great ways for new students to find new interests, and develop and grow as an individual.

Fun fact about Lisa: She.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "." ()

SAIF RATUL

is a senior Mathematics and Political Science double major from Queens, New York. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Saif is also a Resident Assistant in Nassau Hall, the President of Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, AOP Mathematics tutor. Saif is in both Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society. Saif considers GOLD leadership program is a viable that provides an opportunity for SUNY Geneseo students to learn more about leadership theory develop their persona leadership skills. Not only it develops the understandings and skills, but the program also introduces various diverse leadership schemes. Saif's advice for students interested in GOLD program is to venture around various certificates, and avoid being obligated or forced to fulfill all certificates. In other words, take workshops that interest you, not take them because you have to.

Fun fact about Saif: He is a professional Black & White Film photographer.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less." (Andre Malraux)

JOSHUA ROYCHOWDHURY

is a sophomore Psychology and Biochemistry double major from South Queens. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Josh is an RA in Seneca Hall, also known as Writers House, is a member of the Geneseo Men's Rugby Club, and is an active executive board member of both LFS Flow, the only hip-hop group on campus, and the Geneseo Poets Society, which includes the Geneseo slam poets. Josh thinks that GOLD is a great program because it has a tremendous spectrum of workshop topics, demands no requirements of those who attend, and are almost always engaging and educational. His advice to anyone new to GOLD is "Don't be afraid to jump right into it! Let your curiosity lead the way to personal development."

Fun fact about Joshua: He has survived falling down a small mountain that was supposedly crawling with panthers.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you don't serve the people." (Cornel West)

BRENT SANDERSON

is a senior Biology major with a pre-med concentration from Penfield NY. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Brent is an active member of Colleges Against Cancer, Biology Club, and is the scholarship and recruitment chair for the national fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho. He is also the head coach of the women's club hockey team at Geneseo. The person Brent admires most is his great grandfather. He finds GOLD as a great way to grow as a person and develop your interpersonal skills with fellow college students. Brent enjoys meeting new people at each GOLD workshop that are dedicated to improving their potential for success here at Geneseo and beyond college. His advice to anyone new to the GOLD program is to attend workshops they find appealing and interesting.

Fun fact about Brent: He has been working on farm for three years.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done." (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

MAYA SHAH

is a senior Communication student with a Conflict Studies minor born and raised in Queens, New York. In addition to being a GOLD Mentor, she is also a current Resident Assistant in Wyoming Hall and a member of the Program Development team for the Women's Leadership Institute. Her most admired leaders are Lisa Ling and Anderson Cooper. Maya believes that the GOLD program is a critical way for students to comprehend basic life skills that are imperative beyond the classroom. Her advice to her peers is to laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go what you cannot change.

Fun fact about Maya: She likes to spend time with her friends, and make people happy.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." (Nelson Mandela)

MARIA-GRATIAS SINON

is a junior French major from Ithaca, NY. In addition to being a GOLD Mentor, I am coordinator of community service of the Women's Leadership Institute, and a member of the Black Student Union. My most admired leaders are Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou. The Gold Program is a great way for all SUNY Geneseo students to grow personally and professionally. My advice to my peers is to work hard and play hard, and strive for optimism and stray away from pessimism.

Fun fact about Maria: She speaks French, Ewe and English.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you." (Maya Angelou)

ALYSSA STEFANESE

is a sophomore English Literature major with a pre-law concentration from Staten Island, NY. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Alyssa is a dedicated tour guide, a group session ambassador, and the Public Relations Manager of the Lamron. She is also a member of English club, Circle K, and serves as a H.E.R.O.S. Mentor. This summer Alyssa traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi as part of Livingston Cares to help rebuild damaged houses still remaining from Hurricane Katrina. One of her most admired leaders is Susan B. Anthony, for fighting for what she believed in not just for herself, but for all future generations of women. Alyssa loves the GOLD program because it gives anyone in the Geneseo community the opportunity to learn to be a leader. Her advice is to take as many workshops as you can.

A fun fact about Alyssa: She has seen over fifteen Broadway shows.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "Be the change you wish to see in this world" (Gandhi)

TIFFANY STEPHENSON

is a sophomore Political Science major and Sociology minor from Brooklyn, NY. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Tiffany is the treasurer of the Muslim Student Association and a member of the Student Advisory Board for Access Opportunity Programs. She volunteered in the past through Livingston cares by going to Mississippi to aid in hurricane relief efforts in January of 2013. She is a graduate of the Women's Leadership Institute and is prepared for leadership roles beyond Geneseo. Someone that exemplifies leadership in her life is her Dad who is objective, compassionate and understanding. For Tiffany, GOLD represents opportunities for students like herself to gain skills in order to be effective leaders of tomorrow. Her advice to students is to create the environment that will enable them to thrive as leaders, and others will follow suit.

A fun fact about Tiffany: She loves being under water.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out" (Robert J. Collier)

MARIA VOLPE-MCDERMOTT

is a is a junior political science major with a pre-medical concentration from Albany, NY. In addition to being a GOLD Leader Mentor and Co-Office Manager, Maria serves as a student ambassador and a tour guide for the Geneseo Admissions Office, is a Floor Representative on her Residence Hall's council, a member of Geneseo First Response and an active member of Habitat for Humanity and intramural sports. The leaders Maria most admires are her mother and grandmother. Maria believes that the GOLD program is a great opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, as well as learn skills that can be used throughout one's life. Her advice for new students in the GOLD program is to begin by attending workshops that interest them to learn about how the program functions.

A fun fact about Maria: She has a twin brother with a different birthday.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why...I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" (Robert Kennedy)

JASON WANG

is a senior Biology major from Merrick, New York. In addition to being a GOLD mentor, Jason is a member of the National Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho and has served as its Secretary. He serves on the Executive Board for the Golden Key Honor Society. Jason has been on three Livingston Cares trips to Biloxi, Mississippi. During his summer breaks, Jason serves as a supervisor of a ropes course from which he obtained a great deal of leadership experience.

A fun fact about Jason: He survived living for one year with three members of the opposite gender and is going strong for a second year.
Favorite Leadership Quote: "The true leader must submerge himself in the fountain of the people." (V.I. Lenin)