President’s 64, an elite group of graduate, undergraduate and professional student ambassadors, is accepting nominations until March 25.
President’s 64 consists of 64 students who represent NSU and provide feedback to the President George Hanbury. The number of members in the program pays homage to NSU’s foundation in 1964.
Fabian Sarrias, senior behavioral neuroscience and biology major and member of President’s 64, said, occasionally, he meets with the president for lunch to talk about the university.
“It’s a different level of professional relationship,” Sarrias said. “President Hanbury wants to know people on a personal level. He has taken time and effort to get to know me.”
Sarrias said he thinks President’s 64 represents the student voice.
“We help this university become a better place,” he said. “You’re the voice of the people living on campus, and you’re the voice of the commuters. You’re the voice from the classrooms; you’re the voice saying what needs to be improved; you’re the voice of everything here, telling the president what’s going on.”
Sarrias said that in addition to possessing NSU’s eight core values, a President’s 64 member has to be outgoing and easy to talk to because members interact frequently with university donors.
Serena Brown, graduate assistant for Special Events and Projects and master’s in College Student Affairs student, said a key part of President’s 64 is the networking opportunities students have with the donors and potential employers.
“Members of President’s 64 get to showcase the university, but they also get to showcase themselves,” she said. “I know students who have gotten job offers networking at President’s 64 events.”
For Sarrias, networking is one of the most beneficial parts of President’s 64.
“Knowledge can take you to a certain point, but after that, you have to depend on social networking,” he said. “When you know how to network, and you have a background of knowledge and a great attitude, that’ll help you succeed with this university.”
Faculty and staff can nominate students. Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, be involved in at least two NSU organizations, be in good academic standing with the university and reflect NSU’s core values to be considered for President’s 64.
Brown said that the President’s 64 selection committee considers a wide range of students for the organization.
“We usually look for people who are able to give good feedback, constructively critique, speak their minds and really do their best to represent NSU well,” she said.
Brown said that although students can’t nominate themselves, there are things they can do to increase their chances of receiving a nomination.
“Definitely be involved,” she said. “It’s a small campus, so put your name out there and genuinely try to get to know faculty and staff. Show them your initiative and your passion for NSU. Faculty and staff definitely pick up on people who are excited about NSU and who would like to improve or showcase the university.”
The President’s 64 committee will interview nominated students at the end of April, and, if selected, students will become official members in the fall.
To access the nomination form, visit nova.edu/president/the64/forms/nomination-form.doc, and email it to presidents64@nova.edu. For more information about President’s 64, visit nova.edu/president/the64.
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