Sean and Liz both attend State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo, a public liberal arts division of SUNY of around 6,000 students located in Western New York between Buffalo and Rochester. The school brings together a diverse group of New Yorkers as reflected by the partnership for this project. While Sean was raised outside of Rochester in Webster (the source of our challenge), Liz comes from Port Chester, closer to New York City, and brings with her energy and experiences from the busiest part of our state.
Sean is a junior studying English and adolescent education. He works closely with Geneseo’s and Rochester’s special education students, and enjoys opportunities for expression and representation for these people and other underrepresented groups. Sean loves to write, and he runs for Geneseo’s cross country and track teams. He hopes this project engages its audience through fascinating characters’ stories and ensuing questions on censorship at large.
Liz is a senior English (literature) major with a minor in psychology. She’s loved to read fiction ever since she discovered Meg Cabot’s books as a child. Liz even got to meet Meg, but was not told she was the princess of Genovia, which put a damper on things. After graduation, Liz is going to Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service to get a Master’s in Social Work and hopes to work with children and adolescents. She believes representation in literature is paramount, especially in young adult fiction.
