A Hunter College senior who has spent years pushing for youth representation in government is now taking that work citywide as New York’s first youth ambassador.
Alina Nodrat — a Macaulay Honors College student majoring in political science and minoring in African, Puerto Rican, and Latino studies and public health — would appear to be a natural for the post: She has volunteered for civic organizations since high school, when she was her class president.
“From the very beginning, I believed that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the changemakers of today,” she wrote on LinkedIn in announcing her appointment. “In this role, I will be amplifying youth voices and ensuring that we all, as New Yorkers, have a seat at the table. I cannot wait to connect communities across the five boroughs with city government and make civic engagement accessible for all.”
The office was set up this year under the mayor’s chief of staff, Deputy Mayor for Administration and Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack, to involve New York communities in the city’s decision-making.
“I am excited to welcome Alina as the city’s inaugural Youth Ambassador,” Joseph Varlack said. “Our administration has taken countless steps to empower and invest in the voices of young New Yorkers. This appointment is evidence that this work continues. Alina has proven to be a dedicated and service-driven leader who will work hard on behalf of young people across the five boroughs. I look forward to seeing the positive impact she will make in this role.”
As youth ambassador, she works alongside the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and other city and intergovernmental agencies to make sure young people’s voices are represented in local government. She also helps develop programs and policies that support youth across the city and encourage more young people to get involved in civic life.
Nodrat’s selection underscores Hunter’s role as an anchor institution providing training for young leaders and economic mobility and social integration for generations of immigrant New Yorkers.
“We are very proud of Alina’s accomplishments and selection for this post,” said Director of the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College Lev Sviridov. “She has distinguished herself as a student at Hunter-Macaulay.”
From an Afghan American immigrant family, Nodrat served as chair of the High School Democrats of America and on the New York State Senate 7th District Youth Advisory Board in Nassau County. She has supported the right to education for children worldwide by working with the global advocacy groups JINA Alliance and Afghans Empowered. “Centering young people has always been at the heart of my work,” she said.
At Hunter, she has served on the Pre-Law Student Leadership Committee and is a CUNY Climate Hub Justice scholar.
