CARLOS SIERRA, as the Chairperson of the 2005-2006 session of the University Student Senate (USS) is an ex officio voting member of the Board of Trustees. As Chair of USS, Mr. Sierra is at the helm of the student organization of the leading and largest public urban university in the nation.

A double major in photography and political science at Lehman College, Carlos came to the U.S. at age 13. Forced by economic circumstances to leave school at age 17, he entered a Kansas Job Corps Center, where he earned his GED and learned the trade of cement mason. The Job Corps turned out to be a very positive experience for him. Carlos was elected vice president of the Center’s student government and also received the Center’s highest award for achievement.

He worked as a cement mason and eventually moved to New York City, where with help and encouragement from his father, his mother, and his wife Carlos enrolled at Bronx Community College. He became president of the photography club, was eventually elected president of BCC's Student Government, and also served as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Communicator , as well as the yearbook, Pegasus .

After earning his Associate's Degree, Carlos enrolled in Lehman College where once again he joined in student government and was elected student senator and community activity programmer. Carlos took part in the CUNY Model New York State Senate Session project in 2003 and 2004. He participated in the 2005 Caucus CUNY Scholars program, as well as the 2005 CUNY Washington Internship program. Carlos has also been organizing a "Community Fair Day" to bring local businesses and community organizations to the Lehman College campus to offer internships and jobs to students.