About Hofstra
Hofstra University is a dynamic private college on Long Island, NY, where students can choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 150 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education, health and human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law and School of Medicine. | more |
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Meet Your Discovery Leaders
Discovery Leaders are upper-class students who are highly motivated to be "change agents" in their community. They want to lead by example and teach/lead new students about helping the planet or serving others. Discovery Leaders will live in the same residential housing for the duration of the Discovery Program; they will expose you to campus and community resources and assist with your transition to Hofstra by being your mentors.
Mark Atkinson – Compassion Leader
Mark Atkinson is a sophomore at Hofstra, pursuing a major in Oral Communications and a minor in Political Studies. He is very involved in the organizations Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Mark has been involved with various community service programs in the past including The Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), The Bowery Mission, Father's Heart Ministries, and also the Boston Dream Center. Mark is passionate about the Discovery Program because it really solidified in his heart that Hofstra University was the place for him. At the Discovery Program he was able to finally understand what it means to become a part of the Hofstra family, and get to serve people in need at the same time. Mark's future plans are to create and establish a center for youth in underprivileged communities all over America.
Krista Collopy – Compassion Leader
Krista Collopy is originally from Haskell, NJ. She is a junior majoring in Speech Communication & Rhetorical Theory with a concentration in Communication, Culture and Social Action. Her plans after graduation are to work for a nonprofit organization. Krista currently volunteers with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Comfort Zone Camp (CZC), a camp for children seven to seventeen years old who have lost a parent or sibling. She is also on the NJ/NY volunteer council for CZC that develops fundraising events and recruits volunteers. On campus, Krista is involved in Entertainment Unlimited and is a member of Hofstra's radio station, WRHU. Last semester, she began Hofstra's Blue and Gold Leadership Program and hopes to finish it in the fall. She participated in the Discovery Program as an incoming transfer student and it allowed her to become acclimated with her new school. For Krista, the best part about the program was the close friendships she made over the few days. They became a family. It was a great way to start off her year feeling connected to Hofstra's community. Becoming a Discovery Leader is very exciting for Krista because she loves finding new places to volunteer at and meeting new people! And a fun fact: she loves the color green!
Alex Demarest – Compassion Leader
Alex Demarest is a sophomore at Hofstra University studying Creative Writing. Other than school work, which always comes first of course, Alex plays on the Hofstra Rugby Team and is the President and Co-Founder of the Hofstra Versus Zombies club. He enjoyed his experience with the Discovery Program last year and thought he should come back and share his half Eagle Scout, half zombie hunter talents. Alex also loves music, staring at clouds, and long walks on the beach and plans to write a million dollar novel before he graduates.
Samantha Mendolia – Sustainability Leader
Samantha Mendolia is a sophomore Elementary Education major and a Psychology minor. She is involved in Hofstra C.I.A.O., the Italian club on campus and works almost every day as the co-manager of a local supermarket. She was a Girl Scout for eleven years and considers the time she spent with her troop as some of the best memories of her life. She did everything from sleeping over at the New York Aquarium to singing at a nursing home at Christmas time to helping a younger troop during their first ever camping trip. It was fun and hard work but a rewarding experience all at the same time. Doing the Discovery Program last year was something that Samantha was very glad she did. Not only did she meet people before school started but she served the community through the sustainability path and helped make the world a little greener and healthier. Samantha wants to be a Discovery Leader so that she can help incoming students feel at home whether they are a resident or a commuter, like herself, through activities that better themselves and the world around them.
Catherine Moulton – Compassion Leader
Catherine Moulton is a sophomore Health Sciences major. She is involved in volunteering at the local elementary school for after school homework help and at the local Food Not Bombs food drive on Sundays. She is also involved in the a capella group Makin' Treble, plays on the Women's Club Soccer Team, and is a member of Hall Council in her residence building. Catherine has participated in several service trips in high school, including a trip to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. In her spare time, she enjoys blowing bubbles and star gazing. Catherine can't wait to be a Discovery Leader this summer to help her community, and show incoming students ways to do the same!
Lena Nash – Compassion Leader
Lena Nash is a sophomore majoring in International Business with a minor in Classics and Italian. She hopes to go on to Law School after Hofstra to become an Entertainment Lawyer in the music industry. Here at Hofstra Lena is involved with Hofstra Paw Pals, Hofstra Cares About Animals, Hofstra For the Homeless, and the Hofstra Crew Team. This past spring, she was a captain for one of the top fundraising teams for the American Cancer Society during Hofstra's Relay For Life. Back in her hometown, Lena volunteers at an animal shelter, the Ronald McDonald Charity house, and Habitat for Humanity. Being a part of the Discovery Program last year helped her explore all of the available options to do service work both on and off campus. At Hofstra, there are a vast number of opportunities available to students and it can seem a bit overwhelming. Lena wants to be a Discovery Leader because she believes it is important to show her peers how they can give back to their community. She strives to open the eyes of students and to help them realize how important it is to give back and get involved on campus no matter what they end up doing.
Julie Procopio – Compassion Leader
Julie Procopio is a sophomore from Kirkland, WA. Majoring in Anthropology, with a concentration in Archaeology, and Geology, Julie hopes that in the future her work with archaeology will take her around the world. She spent part of her junior year of high school abroad in Australia and hopes to have a similar opportunity studying abroad in Italy her junior year at Hofstra. She's currently a goalie on Hofstra's Women Club Lacrosse Team, Vice President of Lion's Den Club, and a senator on Hofstra's Student Government Association. Since her start at Hofstra, Julie has also been volunteering with Long Island's Big Brothers Big Sisters program that meets at Hofstra, which she will be continuing this year as well. While at home, Julie volunteers with a literacy program called Reading with Rover where she takes her dog to local bookstores and libraries and has children practice reading to the dogs. She's extremely excited to be a Discovery Leader this year after enjoying her time as participant last year. She feels that the Discovery Program is a great new experience that helps participants get settled into life at Hofstra. She's still good friends with many of her fellow participants and leaders and attributes much of her success at Hofstra to her time in the Discovery Program.
Alice Rodrigues – Compassion Leader
Alice is a sophomore majoring in both Finance and Management. She was a senator in the Student Government Association for two years and is a new member of Phi Epsilon sorority. Since high school, Alice has been volunteering in animal shelters, schools, and other areas. Her community service efforts include tutoring children with disabilities, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, and painting a mural for an elementary school. She continues her service through philanthropic events. Starting out as a Discovery participant, this will be her second year as a Discovery Leader. Alice decided to return as a leader because she enjoyed watching participants grow, like she once did.
Alan Stentiford – Sustainability Leader
Alan Stentiford is a sophomore Drama major who is so excited and honored to be a Discovery Leader! He is involved in Hofstra's theatre clubs: Masquerade Musical Theatre Company and the Spectrum Players, as well as the Hofstra Film Club. He also has performed in local theatres on Long Island and has been involved in many student films on and off campus. He has performed (played piano and sang) at East Neck Nursing Home, made pillows for patients at Good Samaritan Hospital, created coloring book pages at Christmas time for children in need, and regularly helps out at his church while being the assistant Superintendent for Sunday School. Alan's future goals are to become more involved in community service activities, especially in the arts, perhaps bringing theatre to hospitals and other facilities. He thoroughly enjoyed his experience in the Discovery Program on the Sustainability path, where he met and worked with fantastic people! He can't wait for his next experience with the Discovery Program!
Ortal Weinberg – Compassion Leader
Ortal Weinberg is a junior Psychology major and Dance minor from White Plains, New York. She is involved in Student Government and DanceWorks as well as a PrideGuide Trainee. Ortal frequently volunteers with the Office of Student Leadership and Activities for Habitat for Humanity, Step-Up Women's Network, and Midnight Run. She loves helping out and has participated in the MS Walks, Light The Night, and Relay For Life. In the future she hopes to run her own psychology practice and help people be their best. From her experience as a Discovery participant she acquired lifelong friends and realized how much joy is received from helping others. She would really love to pass this feeling on to others, which is why she is returning as a Discovery Leader.