About Chol

Chol was born in South Sudan. One of the “Lost Boys” of South Sudan, he came to the United States in 2001 as a refugee and became a U.S. citizen. Chol’s lived experiences continue to shape his agenda to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to live the American dream.
Chol is a 2004 graduate of Fowler High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University in 2008, an MA in Political Science from the University of Albany in 2015, and his Doctorate Degree in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College in 2020. 

​

COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE
 

Chol believes in listening and bringing community input into the political arena. He worked in the New York State Senate for Senator Martin Golden as a Senate Fellow and for Senator David Valesky as Community Engagement Representative. As the City of Syracuse Director of Constituent Services under Mayor Stephanie Miner, he listened to neighbors and brought their concerns and ideas back to City Hall.

​

Also, Chol is a strategic human resources and workforce development professional focused on talent development; re-skilling and up-skilling of community members to find jobs and careers, organizational culture, workforce pipeline creation for employers, and partnership building.

Chol was elected to the Syracuse Common Council from the 3rd District in 2019 and again in 2021. In 2023, he won election as citywide Councilor-at-Large.

 

As a Syracuse Councilor, Chol chairs the Council’s Public Safety Committee. Under his leadership, the Council advanced police reform legislation. Chol moved stalled “Right to Know” legislation out of committee, giving Syracuse citizens access to information when stopped by police. Working with Councilor Patrick Hogan and the Syracuse Police Department, Chol responded to neighbors’ complaints and introduced legislation putting restrictions on illegal dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles on city streets and public spaces. Chol collaborated with the Mayor’s Office to increase the Citizen Review Board budget to investigate more cases. He worked to provide much needed upgrades to Fire and Police Department equipment. 

In 2022, Chol was a candidate for Congress in the new 22nd Congressional District. His campaign was focused on inspiring participation from community members who have been historically overlooked and unrepresented in the political process.​

​​

​CHOL’S FAMILY

Chol and his wife Abiei are proud homeowners in Syracuse’s Elmwood neighborhood. Together, They have six children: Akuch, Gop, Majok, Akau, Yar, and Agoot. 

They are members of the Diändït Episcopal Chapel. Chol is an executive member of the New American Forum (NAF) and chair of the Advisory Committee for FAHNN (Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now).