Eligibility for public membership

2. a. A person shall be eligible to be selected as a public member of the New Jersey Advisory Council on Youth and Collegiate Affairs, pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection d. of section 1 of this act, if the person: (1) is at least 14, but no more than 22, years of age; (2) has been a resident of New Jersey for a period of at least two years immediately prior to applying for membership on the advisory council; (3) is a student at a middle school or high school in the State, or is enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing at, or graduated from, a public or independent institution of higher education in the State; and (4) demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the director of the advisory council, high moral character, good citizenship, and leadership skills. b. A person who meets the eligibility requirements listed in this section may apply to the director to become a public member of the advisory council on a form and in a manner prescribed by the director. c. Upon receipt of an application, the director shall review the application, and, if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements, may consider selecting the applicant as a public member of the advisory council. d. The director shall select an applicant to become a public member of the advisory council based on the applicant's understanding of the responsibilities of the advisory council and general interest in becoming a member of the advisory council. e. The process by which the director selects each applicant for public membership to the advisory council shall be designed to ensure diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and political affiliation, to the maximum extent practicable, and the representation of a cross section of middle schools, high schools, and public or independent institutions of higher education located in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State.