Meet Our 2019 – 2020 Leadership Team

The Student Alumni Association Executive Board consists of 7 voting student members and a staff advisor. Our E-Board is made up of a group of leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the University of Connecticut.

President:
Aakash Parikh

Email: aakash.parikh@uconn.edu
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
Class of: 2020
Hometown: New Milford, CT
Main SAA duties: Overseeing the Executive Board, CASE ASAP participation, main liaison between SAA and the UConn Foundation
Previous SAA roles: VP of Tradition, General Member
Also involved in: Huskies for Health, ResLife Ambassador
Favorite place on the UConn campus: The Student Union
About me: I love all sports, especially football and golf. I am a fan of the Colts, Yankees, and Rangers. I am almost always Bleeding Blue and love to go to UConn sporting events. I look forward to meeting new people throughout the campus.

Vice President of Communication:
Alexis Abbotts

Email: alexis.abbotts@uconn.edu
Major: Art (with a concentration in Photo/Video)
Class of: 2020
Hometown: East Hampton, CT
Main SAA duties: Documenting SAA events and campus traditions, improving and maintaining our SAA social media presence
Previous SAA roles: General Member
Also involved in: Alpha Lambda Delta, UConn Student Activities, Husky Ambassador Program
Favorite place on the UConn campus: Alumni Center orStudent Union
About me: My parents met at UConn in the late 80’s, so I was raised to be one of UConn’s #1 fans! Though I love cheering on my fellow Huskies at any sporting event, my favorite sport is ice hockey (you can catch me cheering for the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals of the NHL!). I’m also a photographer, so if you need any Instagram photos, I’m down to do a photo shoot. I love being a part of organizations like SAA that help connect me to other people who love UConn just as much as I do. I bleed blue and hope I can get other students as excited about UConn as I am!

Vice President of Finance:
Rich Garcia

Email: richard.garcia@uconn.edu
Major: Political Science
Class of: 2020
Hometown: Trumbull, CT
Main SAA duties: Managing the SAA budget, coordinating the care package program, spearheading SAA’s participating in Ignite
Previous SAA roles: VP of Finance, General Member
Also involved in: Human Rights and Action Learning Community, Resident Assistant, Business and Human Rights Student Aid
Favorite place on the UConn campus: The Dairy Bar
About me: I’m a super friendly person who is always excited to meet a new face. I’m in love with Netflix and coffee, so much that my bosses think that I must have stock in both companies. I’m excited to be a part of the E-Board this year and can’t wait to meet everyone.

Vice President of Tradition:
Will Raccio

Email: william.raccio_jr@uconn.edu
Major: Chinese and Global Studies
Class of: 2022
Hometown: Hamden, CT
Main SAA duties: Coordinating OOzeball, raising awareness of the 81 Things to Do Before You Graduate bucket list,  planning our “Jonathan’s Birthday” celebration
Previous SAA roles: General Member
Also involved in: SUBOG Major Weekends Committee, Alpha Lambda Delta, Undergraduate Student Government, Husky Ambassador Program
Favorite place on the UConn campus: Wilbur Cross
About me: In my opinion, traditions are the most important aspect of a community that aid in building a stronger relationship between members of the given community. I am excited to be a part of the Student Alumni Association E-Board where I will be able to play a role in the development of a closer community than we have already! In my free time, I enjoy traveling, visiting with friends, golfing, or lounging in the sun with a good book, among other hobbies. If you’re looking for me on campus, and I am not in the Alumni Center or Wilbur Cross, chances are you will be able to find me eating a sushi roll at Oriental Café in Storrs Center or sitting at the counter in Starbucks doing work and, very likely, watching Netflix. If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Go Huskies!

Vice President of Alumni Relations & Philanthropy:
Damon Reynolds

Email: damon.reynolds@uconn.edu
Major: Accounting
Class of: 2021
Hometown: Stafford, CT
Main SAA duties: Leading student and alumni networking events, building philanthropy education and spirit programs across campus, connecting with SAA alumni
Previous SAA roles: General Member
Also involved in: Undergraduate Student Government, Lodewick Visitor’s Center Tour Guide, Business School Career Development Office, WOW Leader, Business Connections Learning Community
Favorite place on the UConn campus: School of Business
About me:  I love the privilege of being able to go to a school like UConn that has great spirit, broad perspectives and diversity, and unlimited opportunities. I enjoy hanging out with my friends in the Union or McMahon Dining Hall, and the secret to my heart is iced coffee, cheese, and taco salads.

Vice President of Programming:
Alexa Sentementes

Email: alexa.sentementes@uconn.edu
Major: Communication
Class of: 2021
Hometown: Monroe, CT
Main SAA duties: Overseeing SAA’s participating in Homecoming Week, coordinating our annual Pinning Ceremony, and assisting with senior events
Previous SAA roles: General Member
Favorite place on the UConn campus: The Student Union
About me: I love to spend time with my family and friends! I interned at iHeart Media in New York City during the summer of 2019. I’ve been in SAA since my first semester at UConn, and I am so excited to be on the E-Board and to meet everyone and make new friends! In my free time, I like to watch sports on TV, bake, go shopping, and paint my nails.

Vice President of Membership:
Jake Stark

Email: jacob.a.stark@uconn.edu
Major: Computer Science
Class of: 2021
Hometown: New Rochelle, NY
Main SAA duties: Recruiting new SAA members throughout the year, point tracking and rewards, and planning membership retreats
Previous SAA roles: General Member
Also involved in: Lodewick Visitor’s Cener Tour Guide, SUBOG Special Events
Favorite place on the UConn campus: The Student Union
About me: I love all things UConn, hanging out with friends, traveling and seeing new places, and of course, Netflix!

Advisor Since: 2012
Education: ’12 M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Position: Associate Director of Student Engagement, UConn Foundation Office of Alumni Relations
Email: jsokol@foundation.uconn.edu
Phone: 860.486.2607
Office Hours: By appointment