Akkeem Polack serves as the 39th Chairperson of the University Student Senate and the Student Trustee on the CUNY Board of Trustees, representing more than 240,000 students across 26 campuses. His advocacy is informed by his personal experience navigating academic responsibility, work, and community life. These experiences provide a grounded understanding of the challenges facing CUNY students.
Before becoming Chairperson, Akkeem served as the student representative on the Committees for Finance and Administration and Education Policy of the CUNY Board of Trustees. He also served as Vice Chair for Legislative Affairs for the 2024 to 2025 academic year, chairing the Legislative Affairs Committee and co chairing the Student Voter Awareness Committee, promoting civic engagement across the university.
At York College, Akkeem serves as President of the Student Government Association and as a Director on both the College Association Board and the Auxiliary Board, overseeing programs and services that support student life. He has participated in working groups evaluating remote learning and serves as a peer mentor supporting new students. He is active in interfaith dialogue and student wellness initiatives.
Akkeem’s leadership began in Jamaica, where he served as Head Boy at St Jago High School and sat on the school’s Board of Trustees. He supported digital learning efforts during the COVID 19 pandemic and worked with a leading Caribbean e learning company to ensure continuity of instruction.
Professionally, Akkeem has experience in digital marketing, legislative research, web development, broadcast engineering, data management, product support, and youth development. He assisted older adults in navigating technology and staying connected. He has contributed nationally recognized youth perspectives as a freelance writer with the Jamaica Observer.
Akkeem is completing a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Technology at York College.
He remains guided by a mission to ensure student voices are represented, supported, and empowered.