Sarah Conticello

Conticello named to SUNY Student Voices Action Committee

Sarah Conticello, a State University at Fredonia junior, has been selected as one of 27 students from throughout SUNY to serve on its newly formed Student Voices Action Committee.

Conticello, from Lake Grove on Long Island, is majoring in childhood inclusive education, with a concentration in natural sciences.

Representing every SUNY sector — from comprehensive, technical and community colleges — the students were chosen to amplify the collective student voice and expand students’ representation and influence in key discussions and decisions that impact their lives.

Conticello looks forward to the committee serving as a vehicle to express the concerns and needs of students in a structured manner to SUNY leadership.

“I am optimistic that this committee will bring lasting changes to the community on the campus of SUNY Fredonia,” she said. “My hope is to use the resources provided by SUNY Fredonia for the students to act as that platform. If there are some concerns to be expressed, I would be happy to listen.”

Conticello said she is excited to represent Fredonia at the SUNY level, and thanked Jennifer Ruhland, coordinator of Disability Support Services for Students at SUNY Fredonia, for nominating her.

“I am honored to serve as the bridge between students at Fredonia and SUNY,” Conticello said.

At Fredonia, Conticello has been president of the American Sign Language Club for the last four years, assists students through Disabilities Support Services and is a substitute teacher in the Fredonia Central School District.

The students last week joined newly-appointed SUNY Student Advocate John Graham in a virtual meeting to amplify their collective student voice and expand students’ representation and influence in key discussions and decisions that impact their lives

“We are striving to be a more student-centric SUNY and to achieve that goal we must open up additional venues to listen to our most important voices: our students,” said SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras. “Student Advocate John Graham has assembled a diverse and impressive group of students from every SUNY sector whose input on the Student Voices Action Committee will be invaluable to providing the input and insight to improve the student experience at SUNY. Amplifying that collective student voice allows us to adequately and proactively respond to students’ needs and give them the tools they need to succeed and feel fulfilled in their college experience.”