LINDSAY BERNARD is from Big Rapids, Michigan and is graduating spring 2009 as a Women’s Studies and Sociology double major. Her inspiration to become an APA is to “help students find their degree paths.” Lindsay’s extracurricular activities include singing for a band, working for NYPIRG, and being a research assistant for a Psychology lab. She’s like to be a health teacher and work with women and children. Lindsay likes to watch T.V. and hang out with her friends. Based on her experience at SBU, her advice to other students is to “Get involved.”
REBECCA FREEMAN is from the Bronx, NY. She is a member of the class of 2009 as a Psychology major and Child and Family Studies minor. Her inspiration to become an APA is “the opportunity to give back to the SBU community what was given to me.” Some of the extra curricular activities she’s involved in include Black Womyns Weekend, Secretary; and the Caribbean Student Organization, Cultural Officer. Rebecca is pursuing a Ph.D. and a career as a School Psychologist. She enjoys community service, shopping, and reading during her spare time. Her advice to SBU students is “Be willing to step outside your box.”
JESSICA GILL is from West Babylon, NY, is a senior and a History major. She wants to share her experience to help others to succeed at SBU. She works at the Alumni Association and is a member of Sigma Iota Sigma Sorority, Phi Alpha Theta, and the Dean's Student Life Advisory Council. Jessica is pursuing law school and is also a member of Phi Alpha Delta. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and shopping. Her advice for SBU students is not to “stress too much” and adds that “people still can be successful with some mistakes.”
MICHELLE GILLEN is a Psychology major with a Women’s Studies concentration. She is planning to graduate in spring 2009 and is from the Bronx, NY. She wanted to become more involved on campus and thought being an APA would help her do this. She is a Chill Peer Health Educator, a research assistant, and a teaching assistant. She plans to pursue a Ph.D, in Psychology and get a “great job.” In her spare time she likes to sleep and “pamper myself.” Michelle’s advice for SBU students is “If you need help, go early on.”
GILLIAN GLADD is from Smithtown, NY, and is a Psychology major with a double concentration in Sociology and Women’s Studies. Her inspiration to become an APA is to return the help that she was given by an APA when she was a new transfer student. She’s in the band, volunteers for Response of Suffolk, and is a member of NSCS. She would like to become a school Psychologist and eventually would like to earn a Ph.D. In her spare time she enjoys going out with friends.
FRANCESCA GUTIERREZ is from Queens, NY and is graduating in spring 2010. She a Spanish major who is pre-med and Biology minor. Her friend is an APA and was inspired to become one as well. She works at the Dean of Students Office, participates in LASO 9Latin American Student Organization), and NSCS. The career path she is pursuing is to become a Pediatric Neurosurgeon and work at St. Judes. She enjoys listening to music, cooking, singing, and dancing during her spare time. Her advice to SBU students is “There are always available resources.”
GABRIELLE HERARD is from Brooklyn, NY, and is a Psychology major planning to graduate in 2009. She likes “giving back; I like helping my peers and students, as well as being a student leader on campus.” She is a Resident Assistant and a member of the CSO (Caribbean Students’ Organization). She is on a pre-medicine track and would like to become a Pediatrician working in a hospital. She likes to sleep, hang out with friends and family. When asked “If you could be any fruit, what would you be? Why?” Gabrielle says, “I would be a mango because they are sweet and give you a taste of the islands.” Gabrielle’s advice to SBU students is to “Stay focused and determined and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.”
SAAD KHAN is a senior, Psychology major from Smithtown, NY. His inspiration to become an APA is to help transfer students with their adjustment to SBU college life. He does research in the Psychology department, does “Bhangra” Indian dance, plays basketball and tennis. He is pursuing a career in Medicine. Saad’s advice to SBU students is “Don’t waste your time, stay on top of everything, and be responsible.”
SOI LONG KUAN (MAX) is from Macan, China, and plans to graduate in 2009 as a Business major and an ISE minor. He is planning to pursue a career in marketing and finance and sees himself in 10 years as a “normal business man.” In his spare time he studies and plays basketball. Max’ advice for SBU students is to “Come and get advice from Advising.”
LAUREN MARAGLIANO is a senior from Brooklyn, NY, who is planning to graduate in spring 2009. She is a double major in Psychology and Sociology. She enjoys helping students make their schedules. She works at the University’s bookstore, is a member of NSCS, and is a teaching assistant. She would like to be a high school guidance counselor. Lauren enjoys her leisure time hanging out with friends, reading and Karoke. Her advice for SBU students is that “the more you stress, the worse it will be. Just be relaxed and things will get done.”
VICTORIA MELILLO is from Cortland Manor, NY and is planning to graduate in 2010 as a Sociology major and Business minor. She felt that becoming an APA is a “good chance to help out people.” She has a part-time job and is involved with her hall council. Victoria spends her spare time either hanging out with friends or reading. Her advice to SBU students is to “Use your resources wisely.”
LEANNE MERILL is a senior from Patchogue, NY, and is majoring in Biology. Her inspiration to become an APA is that she wants leadership experience and likes to help others. She works at an animal hospital and does research for the Ecology and Evolution Department. She would like to go to graduate school and earn her Ph.D. in Biology. In her spare time, Leanne likes to spend time with friends. She advises SBU students to “take courses from many different areas to experience . . . “
ABIGAIL NICOLAS is from Brooklyn, NY, plans to graduate in spring 2009, as a Psychology major and Women’s Studies minor. She is planning to be an academic counselor and enjoys “helping people in general.” She is a Resident Assistant and a member of the Cadence Step Team. In her spare time, Abigail likes to hang out with her friends, sleeping, watching T.V. and listening to music. Her advice to SBU students is “Don’t overwhelm yourself and learn time management.”
ROBERT O’BRIEN is a senior, History major, from Ronkonkoma, NY. He wanted to become an APA so that he could aid students in their college experience. He is a volunteer at a church as a teacher, and is involved in Martial Arts (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). He is pursing a career as a high school Social Studies Teacher on Long Island. His advice for SBU students is to “Try to figure out what you want to do and have a plan and do something.”
KIPEUM PARK is from South Korea, is a junior, and a Psychology major. Her inspiration to become an APA is that she enjoys talking to people and helping new students. She is currently involved in a family translational research project focused on married couples. Kipeum would like to be a Psychiatrist. She enjoys watching movies in her leisure time. She advises SBU students not to “Give up; challenge yourself!”
LAKSHMI RAMSOONDAR is a senior from Brooklyn, NY, who is a Political Science major with a double minor in International Relations and Asian American Studies. She is an Orientation Leader (OL) and was inspired to become an APA based on her experiences as an OL since she likes to help new students. She will be a Student Ambassador, and is currently a campus tour guide, OL, R.A. and a member of NRHH. Lakshmi is pursuing law school. She enjoys hanging out with friends and relaxing or "just sleeping" during her spare time. Her advice for SBU students is to "Be aware, open minded and get involved."
NICHOLAS RUSSO is from Staten Island, NY, and is planning to graduate in 2009 as a Biology and Technological Systems Management double major. Nicholas’ extracurricular activities include being a fireman and EMT, research assistant, co-founder of the TSM Honor Society, CEAS and Stony Brook Student Ambassador. He plans go to medical school and “eventually work to improve the health and science field” as a medical doctor and surgeon. Nicholas lifts weights, plays sports, and enjoys hanging out with his friends. His advice to SBU students is to “Be open-minded, try everything and don’t let fear keep you from doing what you want to do.”
AMBER SPEED is from Huntington, NY, and is graduating in 2009 as a History major and Political Science minor. She’d like to help other transfer students successfully transition from their transfer school to SBU in the way that she’d benefited as a transfer student in her SBU 101 class. This year, 2008-09, she is the President of Cardozo College. She serves on the Academic Judiciary Council, is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, and Sigma Beta. Amber sees herself “helping and interacting with people on a daily basis and leading an active lifestyle” although she hasn’t decided on a specific career. In her spare time she baby-sits, travels, watches movies, shops and reads. Amber suggests: “Don’t follow a rigid track based on what you think your major will be when you start freshman year. Most people change their majors so keep an open mind. "Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions."