Stokes, a UB graduate who has worked for the university for nearly a decade, became involved in governance a couple of years ago when he became a member of PSS. "I found the organization fascinating, and became more involved," he explained, "but when they asked me to run for president, I have to admit I still was a little reluctant." Stokes says he has worked hard to get involved in the many issues that impact the university's staff community, especially given the changing nature of SUNY and the state budget.

Only three SUNY institutions have any sort of professional staff governance structure and UB's is "by far the most functional and influential," explained Stokes. "We receive a lot of support from the administration and they actively seek our input on many things," he said. "That is not the case elsewhere."

It was the opportunity to have impact on young lives that has motivated Stokes professionally as well. Programs aimed at developing student leadership and promoting cultural diversity occupy much of the time of Stokes and his staff of five. "Next year, we are putting on three exciting cultural conferences," said Stokes. "and we will be highlighting a different culture for the university community every week."

Stokes earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology and Community Mental Health from UB. After working in the community mental health system for eight years, Stokes began his professional career here as a coordinator in Special Services in 1986.

"I took the job here in part because I was interested in getting back to my education," recalls Stokes, now a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Administration. Stokes went on to become a counselor in the Educational Opportunity Program before moving into his current position when it was created two years ago.

One of Stokes' early assignments was to secure funding to implement the national Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at UB. The McNair Program, named for the African American astronaut killed in the Challenger explosion, is an extensive program for "first-generation college students and low income students," explains Stokes.

These students, who are preparing for graduate work leading to a Ph.D., receive individualized mentoring and faculty support, GRE test preparation and perform extensive research, culminating in an academic presentation to their peers. More than 70 percent of McNair students go on to graduate work at UB and other top graduate schools across the country, Stokes reports.

Stokes truly values working with college students. "It is probably the most important time in these people's lives," says Stokes. "Helping make that a positive experience is probably the most impact you can have on someone's life...short of giving birth to them."

Working with the many success stories of programs benefiting underrepresented minorities like EOP and McNair, makes the current political climate particularly frustrating to Stokes. The federally supported McNair program and the state sponsored EOP are both frequent targets of conservative budget-cutters. Stokes expects EOP to again be targeted for elimination by Gov. Pataki in this year's state budget. The program was axed by Pataki's budget proposal last year, but restored by the state legislature.