Name: Serena Zachariah
Year: Junior
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Succasunna, NJ
What organizations are you involved with on campus and why did they pique your interest?
Serena: “I’m involved in a few but the two most important to me are the Psychology Student Alliance (PSA) and Stony Brook Graduate Student Organization (GSO). PSA is a club which gives students of any major the opportunity to network within various departments, so it’s not limited to psychology, and the opportunity to learn and connect with each other over the beautiful science that is psychology. I’ve been treasurer for around two years and it’s one of my favorite jobs on this campus. I’m also the Media Relations Specialist for the Graduate Student Organization. I interned for GSO last year and I loved being behind the scenes when artists and speakers came to campus. After my boss graduated I applied for her job so I could continue to be a part of the madness.”
Serena, top left, with the PSA Eboard.
What is the mission for PSA?
Serena: “We call it BRAIN and it stands for Building, Research, Advocacy, Diversity, and Networking. These are all aspects that we believe are the most important to the development of science in society and are available through our club. Every year we look to our general body for suggestions on how to improve in these areas.”
What has been your GSO favorite event so far?
Serena: “I should probably say there was a concert we put on that changed my life or something but our Halloween parties are by far my favorite. We throw one every year at the University Cafe and it’s always the biggest success. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and setting up for it and seeing people enjoy what we put so much time and thought into planning is the best feeling.”
Serena with the 2015-2016 GSO Staff.
How do you feel about the UCafe closing?
Serena: “This is such a touchy topic now. Conor, the Productions Director of GSO and I were interviewed about this earlier in the semester and when we were forced to think about it, we ended up reminiscing about old times and our favorite shows which made thinking about the closing even harder. It makes me upset that our venue is closing. When you walk in, posters from past shows are taped up against the mirror wall and you just kind of wonder what it would have been like to be a part of GSO back then, when the majority of what GSO did was music, as opposed to now when we have fewer than two shows a semester. I’d love for our new space to have the same worn-in and welcoming feel that the caf has but it doesn’t seem to be going in that direction.”What do you want your legacy to be?
Serena: “I truly love what I do on this campus. As much as I complain to my friends, I feel as though I found the value in the things I spend time on. Even if I’m frustrated in that moment and I’m overwhelmed by work, I can look back on what I did and love that I was a part of it at all.”