By Day, He's in the NYS Assembly; By Night, He's A Touro Student

And when the working day is finished, Rybstein gets in his car for the hour-and-a-half traffic-filled drive from the Assemblyman’s district office in Sunset Park to the Queens campus of Lander College for Men (LCM), where he is working toward his undergraduate degree.

It’s an unusual path for a college student. But for Rybstein, 21, the combination of professional experience and academic study feels like a natural fit.

“I really think that it’s important to focus your schoolwork around what you want to do professionally,” he said. “Ultimately, the goal is to advance your professional career, so the two shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.”

From Brooklyn yeshiva to Albany

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Rybstein attended yeshiva before spending a year studying in Israel. Upon his return in the summer of 2024, he enrolled as a part-time student at LCM.

That same summer, he applied to the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which connects young New Yorkers with job opportunities. Through the program, he landed an internship in Assemblyman Chang’s office.

The experience quickly turned into something more.

“I started as an intern but my boss thought I was doing a pretty good job, and he offered me full-time employment,” Rybstein said.

Within months, he moved from legislative liaison to legislative director, the youngest ever to hold that role in the New York State Assembly.

A front-row seat

As legislative director, Rybstein plays a key role in helping shape policy and manage the Assembly office’s legislative agenda.

Much of his day involves drafting legislation, analyzing policy proposals, and coordinating with other offices and advocacy groups. The work also brings him into contact with political leaders and officials from across the country, including U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

“It’s a really fascinating experience,” he said. “You get to meet people from all over the country and see how government works up close.”

Rybstein added that he has met New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and despite his stark disagreements with “99% of his policies,” most notably with regard to Israel, he said the mayor has always been polite in their interactions.

“He’s been nothing but cordial to me,” Rybstein said.

Managing college and the Assembly

Balancing a demanding job with college coursework requires careful scheduling. Fortunately, though the commute can be long, he said that Touro’s flexible scheduling makes it possible to pursue both his career and his degree.

“Touro is unique in that it allows you to take night classes while being able to work,” he said. “I don’t know many other colleges that give students that kind of flexibility.”

Rybstein originally expected to pursue a career in finance, his chosen major at LCM. But his time in government has opened new possibilities.

Working in the Assembly has strengthened his interest in public service and policymaking, and he hopes to remain involved in government in the years ahead.

“I really love what I do,” he said. “I could see myself continuing in public service, whether that means running for office someday or advancing through different roles in government.”

For now, he is focused on finishing his degree while continuing to serve constituents and gain experience in state government, and he appreciates his being able to them both.

“I’m really grateful that Touro gives me the flexibility to schedule my classes in a way that allows me to work in the Assembly all day,” he said. “I don’t know if I would have been able to do this anywhere else.”

At Lander College for Men, Rybstein says, the ability to balance those two worlds has made all the difference.