About Us
The College Democrats of New York are the official college outreach arm of the Democratic National Committee and are affiliated with the College Democrats of America. We focus on electing Democrats from the grassroots level up. In 2008, we canvassed all over the Northeast for Democratic candidates on the local, state, and national level.
As the next generation of Democratic leaders emerges, CDNY will stand behind them to bring peace and prosperity back to America. Young voters have already made a difference in 2009. Thanks for stopping by, and don't give up the fight.
Elsie currently serves as President of the College Democrats of New York, the National Council Vice chair of the College Democrats of America, and works as an intern at the U.S. Department of Education.
Elsie grew up in Madison, WI, where she developed an interest in policy and organizing by working for Obama for America, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. Elsie studies political science and education at Vassar College, where she worked to engage and involve her fellow students in her role as President of the Vassar College Democrats.
She continued her involvement in New York by working for the Center for Arts Education, the Bill Thompson Mayoral Campaign, and CDNY. In 2010, Elsie returned to Wisconsin to work for the Wisconsin Coordinated Campaign as the Milwaukee Deputy Regional Field Director.
Rebecca Lamorte is a junior at Fordham University where she is working to graduate with her degree in political science. Rebecca lives in New York City and works throughout the boroughs in local politics. Rebecca worked on the 2010 New York State Assembly campaign for Aravella Simotas and has also done work for Andrew Cuomo's 2010 campaign for governor and other elections throughout New York State and the surrounding areas.
Rebecca currently serves as Vice President of CDNY and became involved in the organization in her freshman year of college as Deputy Region New York City/Long Island Region Chair. She also serves as the Political Director for the Fordham College Democrats.
Rebecca is currently working for the New York State Democratic Party.
Kevin Fox is a Junior at the University at Albany. Before becoming the CDNY Political Director, he was an intern at US Senator Michael Bennet's DC office. He was also a Corps Member in AmeriCorps NCCC, and a wild-land firefighter in Colorado.
His hobbies include running, amateur comedy, and making Republicans cry. Kevin is pictured here at Governor Cuomo's State of the State address 2011.
Andy Laub, Secretary of the College Democrats of New York is a rising Senior at Fordham University, where he is also the Secretary of the College Democrats and President of his Class on Student Government. Andy has been very active in Democratic Party politics since he was 14, starting on the Presidential campaign of John Kerry and working for other notables such as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Andy recently became the youngest Democratic Party District Leader with the Westchester Democratic Committee and served as finance assistant for Andrew Cuomo’s 2010 Gubernatorial campaign.
Meghan Levine is entering her final semester as a student at Vassar College. A double major in Political Science and Urban Studies (concentrations: Urban Policy and History), Meghan currently serves as Communications Director for the College Democrats of New York.
A Dutchess County native, her political involvement began from an early age with the Dutchess County Young Democrats, where later served as Vice President of Public Affairs (2010). Upon arriving at Vassar, she quickly became involved with the Vassar College Democrats, serving first as Freshman Representative (2008-2009), then as Director of Voter and Community Outreach (2009-2011), and finally as Co-president (2010-2011). She is also an active Democratic Committee member on both the Town of Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County Democratic Committees (2008-2011).
Through the Vassar College Democrats, the Dutchess County Young Democrats, and CDNY, Meghan has long coordinated voter registration, campaigns, fundraisers, and events throughout the Hudson Valley. Meghan has managed several key local campaigns, interned for the Dutchess County Democratic Committee, and worked as a clerk at the Dutchess County Board of Elections, where she developed a passion for voter protection and student voting rights. This past spring, she participated in an intensive five-month Justice and Law seminar through American University's Washington Semester Program. She is grateful to have the opportunity to bring these varied experiences to CDNY.
Meghan is currently in the semi-finalist stage for the 2011 National Pearson Prize for Higher Education competition. She serves as an Intern Assistant to the Administrator at the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Steven Tucker is currently a senior at the University at Albany where he is studying Public Policy with a focus in American government and politics. Joining College Democrats during his sophomore year, he participated in many campaigns during the 2010 primaries and served as the Political Director for the UA College Democrats. His experience also includes a government relations internship at the NY Farm Bureau and a statistical internship at the USDA where he is currently employed.
Through his experience working for campaigns such as Scott Murphy, Dan Maffei, John Hall and Kathy Hochul, his experience working on advocacy and working within the government, Steven hopes to continue the goals of the Democratic Party and help to lead a great group of College Democrats. Steven hails from Skaneateles, NY.
A native of Syracuse, New York, Alexander Marion is currently in his third year at St. John’s University. A major in Government and Politics, he concurrently serves as the President of the St. John’s Chapter of College Democrats. Previously, he had served as Vice-President and Secretary of that organization.
Elected Development Director of the College Democrats of New York in April, 2010, Alexander brings years of experience in Democratic politics to the College Democrats of New York. Starting in high school and continuing during college, spent four summers interning for the Syracuse Regional Office of United States Senator Charles E. Schumer. Alexander was also an active volunteer on the successful 2009 campaign of Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. Most recently, he has worked as an intern for the New York Regional Finance Office of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in New York City.
Colleen Kutney is a senior currently attending the University at Albany, State University of New York. She is a political science major with a minor in history. Sophomore year she was the treasurer of the UAlbany College Democrats and the following year became the chapter president. In 2010, the SUNY Albany College Democrats hosted the CDNY Convention where Colleen was elected at Communications Director for the organization. In her last year of college, Colleen is looking forward to working with College Democrat chapters across New York as CDNY's Membership Director.
Hailing from the Southern Tier, Colleen knew heading to the state capital for school would further enhance her passion for politics. Colleen did not waste any time, becoming heavily involved in politics the moment she arrived in Albany. She began by volunteering for Congressman Paul Tonko, then Congresswoman now Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, former Congressman Scott Murphy and President Barack Obama in her freshman year. Sophomore year she interned for Congressman Paul Tonko in his Albany district office, learning valuable experience in a political office through the healthcare debate and beyond. She spent the spring semester of her junior year interning in Rep.Tonko's DC office on The Hill where she witnessed the intense budget debates first hand. She will be spending her summer interning with Governor Andrew Cuomo in Albany, NY. You can often find Colleen taking full advantage of the political scene in the capital region between lobbying, attending rallies and involving fellow college students in the political process.
Erik Coler was born and raised in New York City and currently attends his third year at SUNY Fredonia. He has been a life long democrat and has participated in State, Local, Congressional and Presidential elections. Erik has had experience working for the state and federal government and hopes in the future to be able to participate and help out in government. Erik Coler was recently elected President of his chapter and the Director of New Media. He hopes that he can create a better connection for chapters and work to create a more civic and active environment for colleges and to better promote the Democratic agenda of his party.
Erik plans on attending Graduate school for public policy after graduating and would like to travel in the near future.
Maria Bernadzikowski is currently a Junior at St. John's University, majoring in Government and Politics and minoring in Economics. Maria holds positions as the Communications Director of St. John's Chapter of College Democrats, the Secretary of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society and, the recently elected NYC Region Chair for College Democrats of New York. Originally from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, an area that posesses a Republican majority, Maria has been advocating for the Democratic cause since 2005, serving as a volunteer for the Obama's presidental campagin throughout 2008. In 2009, she interned for John Carney, the former Lt. Governor of Delaware, and in 2010, worked on John Carney's successful campaign for congress.
After graduating in 2013 and attending graduate school, Maria plans to join the peace corps and to continue to advocate for the Democratic cause.
Katie Watt is a senior at Stony Brook University, majoring in political science. She has always been interested in politics since a young age. Katie is currently serving as the Long Island Region Chair for the College Democrats of New York. In high school, she began volunteering with campaigns in New York City. When she moved to Long Island for college, she began volunteering with local Long Island races. Katie spent two summers as an intern for Senator Hillary Rodham, and most recently for Congressman Anthony Weiner.
In addition to being involved with the Stony Brook College Democrats, she is also the Executive Editor of Think Magazine, Stony Brook's student-run progressive publication.
I'm a rising senior at Vassar College, majoring in Russian Studies with correlates in American Politics and Public Policy Economics. I've always had an interest in politics, but my commitment to getting involved really didn't start until my return from Russia last year. Since then, I realized the value of our system and the pivotal role that political freedom plays in our lives. Wanting to help influence that role in my community, I've joined the exec board of the Vassar College Dems and have attempted to join local campaigns in my hometown of Thomasville, GA. Constantly dealing with Republican majorities in Georgia, my Democratic views have been contested and affirmed. I've joined CDNY in the hope of creating strong unity in New York, using my position as Hudson Valley Regional Chair to help in the cause.
Meghan Nyman attends the University at Albany and currently holds the position of Capitol Region Chair for the College Democrats of New York. Originally from Oswego, New York, Meghan first became interested in politics during the 2008 Presidential Election. She then chose the University at Albany to pursue studies in Public Policy and Spanish. After graduating in 2013, Meghan hopes to pursue a career in community development.
Through her involvement with the University at Albany College Democrats, Meghan has volunteered for campaigns, lobbied the state government, and worked with other democratic organizations. Meghan also serves as the New York State Representative for the College Democrats of America Women’s Caucus and is working with chapters in the state to advocate for women’s issues. Finally, as Capitol Region Chair, Meghan hopes to continue strengthening chapters throughout the region so they can work together and support the Democratic Party.
Colin Crowley currently serves as the Central New York region Chair for CDNY. Originally from Elmira, in the Southern Tier of New York, he studies Political Science and Philosophy at Syracuse University, where he is actively involved in the College Democrats chapter.
Having been interested in politics for his whole life, he has assisted in two congressional campaigns and is always looking for news ways to get involved. Looking to the future, he hopes to work in either advocacy or campaign politics.
Chris is a rising senior at the University of Rochester. He became involved with College Democrats at the beginning of his junior year, he is now president of the University of Rochester's chapter of College Democrats. This year, he hopes to strengthen the relationship among the chapters in the Finger Lakes Region. This summer Chris will be interning with the NYS Democratic Committee.
Anders M. Korn is currently a Senior at the State University of New York, Geneseo. There he is working towards a History Degree with a minor in Anthropology and Africana Studies. Originally from Warwick New York, Anders got into politics by helping organize voter registration drives with the Warwick Democrats. Joined the Geneseo College Democrats Freshmen year where he volunteered with numerous local candidates during the 2008 elections. Western New York Regional Director is the first position he has held in CDNY, Anders hopes he can build a sense of a community within the region. When not studying or working with CDNY, Anders can usually be found playing board games or reading science fiction.