Session on supporting underrepresented students draws virtual crowd

Being accepted into a Columbia graduate program is a huge accomplishment, but navigating the academy can be daunting for first-generation and other historically underrepresented students. On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement hosted They Said ‘Yes’: Supporting underrepresented students to belong and thrive in the academy, a conversation featuring experts in graduate student services and support. 

Over 100 participants logged in to the remote session. The audience included administrators in academic affairs, admissions, student affairs, career services, pathways programs, and public safety, as well as faculty and school-based DEI leaders from across the Morningside and CUIMC campuses. Adina Berrios Brooks, Associate Provost for Faculty Diversity and Inclusive Pathways, introduced the speakers.

The lively roundtable discussion was moderated by Ixchel Rosal, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Life. The panelists were contributors to the Yield, Onboarding and Student Support section of the Guide to Equity-Based Graduate Admissions: Celina Chatman Nelson, Associate Dean of Academic Diversity and Professional Development in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; Karma Lowe, Senior Associate Dean for DEI, Enrollment, and Community Engagement at the School of Social Work; Laila Maher, Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs at the School of the Arts; and Judy Wolfe, Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs in the School of Nursing.

The attendees left the session with fresh ideas and best practices for enhancing the programming and resources offered to graduate students in their departments and units.

Future sessions, featuring the Outreach and Recruitment and Review and Selection sections of the Guide to Equity-Based Graduate Admissions, are planned for the upcoming academic year.