On Friday, February 9, 2024, New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado visited Union’s Kenney Community Center to discuss the community service work done by Union students. The Lieutenant Governor also discussed the recent implementation of New York’s Office of Service and Civic Engagement. Accompanied by Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Delgado sat down with Union students from a variety of backgrounds– those leading different committees, heading community-based organizations, and those on sports teams—as they shared their current methods and future plans for serving the greater Schenectady area. 

From city-wide sport clinics to one-on-one academic mentorship, this select group of students demonstrated themselves as impressive role models for Union’s commitment to community involvement. In turn, Delgado took these experiences and testimonies to heart, aiming to use these exemplary students as references and starting points for the larger state government’s efforts toward community and volunteering.

After speaking with and being inspired by these Union students, Opinion Editor Sophie Glazier ‘27 was able to speak with the Lieutenant Governor and ask some questions about the state of community in New York, the implementation of his new Office of Service and Civic Engagement, and his plans for a more united future.

What do you think makes the relationship between Union and just the greater area of Schenectady, and potentially the greater area of New York, makes that so special through community service?

Well, what you have is individuals who are coming from all over the state and in some cases all over the country to get a better education, to elevate themselves. They come from different backgrounds, different walks of life. And to be able to tap into the surrounding community and not just learn in the classroom, but learn outside the classroom and figure out ways to give back, and get in return that sense of community, that sense of human connection is, is very important.

So anytime you have an institution of the caliber of Union, and as a leader in New York, you want to elevate and you wanna continue to empower people.

Most students here are not residents of Schenectady and like myself, like I’m not even from New York. So how do you think is the best way for students to build a truly lasting connection with the town and again, the state that surpasses their four years of college?

Right. And I think that’s why the ability to extend out into the community that you spend a lot of your time in is important because those are relationships as well, not just with your fellow students or your classmates, but the community that you are surrounded by.

Just a great potential to develop meaningful relationships with people. When you help or service somebody, you know, there’s an opportunity to build a meaningful relationship, particularly if you’re, for example, tutoring elementary school students or providing food security for a family.

These are all opportunities to build relationships from as well and to enrich your entire perspective on life. And you’ll take these stories and relationships with you. Whether in the literal sense or just in your heart for many, many years, and it make you a better person over time. 

Since you are a Schenectady native yourself, how do you think the town has changed over the years and what do you think you’re looking forward to seeing be developed in the next couple of years?

Well, when I was growing up General Electric (GE) was a big employer in Schenectady. My parents worked for GE and it was a major factor in our success as a family to work our way up from middle working class to middle class, you know, and then starting in the 1990s, you know, it kind of stopped a lot of those jobs that my parents had.

It was a bit of a downward turn economically for a number of years, for a number of decades. And I’m encouraged ’cause I’m starting to see a bit of an upturn now. I think there’s a lot more energy and a lot more economic development that’s happening. I think if we continue to build on that and continue to revitalize our downtown area and bring more and more culture and keep our families here and provide opportunities for job growth, that’s where we’re ahead. So I think we’re in a good spot. There’s more work to do, but I’ve seen us make this effort over a period of time now, and it’s gonna be important that we continue to focus.