It's that time of year when many students are getting ready to graduate, and one young woman at St. Francis College is dedicated to leaving her mark.

Ruben Gonzalez, the assistant dean of student affairs at St. Francis College, meets a lot of students, but says he has never met anyone like Arianna Sartzetakis.

“I remember meeting Arianna at her orientation. From the get go she just had this spirit about her that she wanted to get involved on our campus,” says Gonzalez.

The political science and economics major became involved with the student government immediately. 

Sartzetakis, who is also the valedictorian of her graduating class, has started a St. Francis College chapter of “Girl Up,” the United Nations foundation which advocates for girls' leadership chances around the world.

“I was doing some research, I knew we had sororities on campus, we didn't have anything that focused on women empowerment,” says Sartzetakis.

She also spent time interning for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is now running for president. 

When asked what’s next for the valedictorian, Sartzetakis says she is not sure after graduation but she is keeping her options open. 

She says whatever it is it will involve empowering women of the next generation.