The first presidential debate is right around the corner, and some Queens students will have a front-row seat to this historic event.  NY1's Shannan Ferry caught up with some debate volunteers who hail from our borough. 

Hofstra University is bustling with excitement ahead of the first presidential debate Monday. 

The showdown will feature Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican Nominee Donald Trump head-to-head for the first time.

Queens students like Matthew Lish and Emily Bravo can't wait to be in the center of it all. 

"To quote Hamilton, to be in the room where it happens, and witness this first hand is truly amazing," said Lish. 

Lish hails from Fresh Meadows and was selected to be a debate volunteer. 

That's something the University's Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs said is no easy feat.  

More than 800 students applied, but only 385 were chosen. 

"We have students putting on programs and events, doing satellites, busing visitors to the campus back and fourth, pretty much anything you can think of," said Jean Peden Christodoulou, Assist. VP for Student Affairs. 

Lish will be working as an usher inside the debate hall.  The sophomore will take guests to their seats.

    Reporter: "That means you can rub elbows with some pretty influential people right?"

    Lish: "Potentially yes!"

    Reporter: "Anyone you have in mind?"

    Lish: "I saw on Twitter today Mark Cuban is gonna be there so if I could shake hands with him that would be nice!"

The students said this opportunity is extra special because Hofstra wasn't originally scheduled to host the first debate.  Wright State University pulled out in July.

"My reaction was so excited, because I knew right away I wanted to volunteer," said Emily Bravo. 

Bravo lives in Flushing, and will be helping out different media outlets on debate day.  

The junior said as a first generation American, this opportunity means a lot.

"I'm a broadcast journalism major so I feel like it fits in perfectly because I'm learning so much," Bravo said.  

NY1 will bring you the debate live Monday at 9pm.​