At the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, pluralism is an academic value — one that is a marker of institutional excellence as well as a benchmark of innovation for our research and scholarship, programming, and student experience. The Office of Academic Access and Engagement is the space within GSAS in which we enact daily and intentionally our commitment to create an intellectual collective that is reflective of the disparate experiences of its constituents.
Many of OAAE's programs and resources are targeted to the unique needs of students who may be the first in their family to attend college or graduate school; or who may not have had access to intensive research experience in higher education settings. We offer programs and resources that are relevant for all students as we consider issues related to access and engagement together.
OAAE's objectives are to reduce institutional barriers to high-quality graduate education and training for students, and to enhance the graduate-student experience to promote intellectual growth and excellence.
Our office works in close alignment with the Students of Color Alliance (SoCA), and with Initiative for Diversity in Engineering and the Sciences (IDEaS) and Women in Science at Columbia (WISC) as well as other student groups and campus partners to promote community-building and provide opportunities for professional development. If you have ideas for programming, wish to get involved in any of our upcoming events, or are interested in learning more about the Graduate School’s efforts in the area of access and student engagement, we welcome you to reach out to us at [email protected].
To view the Graduate School's full statement on access and engagement, please click here.
Key Contacts
Office of Academic Access and Engagement
107 Low Library, MC 4304
535 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-8903
[email protected]
Afiya Wilson
Assistant Dean
[email protected]
(212) 854-2866
Barbara Nesmith
Program Assistant
[email protected]
(212) 854-8903
Anti-Racism Resources
President Bollinger's statement on anti-racism
University Life's anti-racism resource page
OAAE Calendar
Click here to view upcoming programs and events.
OAAE Newsletter
Click here to sign up for the OAAE newsletter.
Connect with Our Community
Programs
The OAAE Research Collective is a student-led interdisciplinary group of PhD students who are conducting research on topics of particular relevance for marginalized communities and populations.
The Learning Community collectively engages focused topics in pedagogy and practice as they relate to race and marginalization at multiple intersections.
The OAAE Student Delegation comprises GSAS students who are interested in supporting efforts to enhance academic access and student engagement within the Graduate School and across its many departments.
Each year OADI hires 4-6 Graduate Student Instructors to co-teach weekly seminars and workshops and provide one-on-one mentoring to visiting undergraduate students.
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences hosts the eight- to ten-week Summer Research Program (SRP) for visiting undergraduate students with a strong interest in pursuing doctoral study and who demonstrate promise in their chosen field of study.
Every fall semester, OAAE appoints two doctoral students to serve as Fellows in Academic Administration for Access and Engagement.
Resources
GSAS students and student groups are invited to apply for funding to support events, projects, or programming that will enhance academic access and engagement in graduate education.
The Graduate School will waive the application fee for US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in a US college or university who demonstrate financial need.
GSAS is proud to participate in the Provost Doctoral Fellowship initiative, initially established in 2012 as the Provost Diversity Fellowship to enhance the diversity of Columbia’s PhD programs.
The GSAS Office of Academic Diversity advises various affinity groups at the Graduate School.
View a list of available faculty positions listed on the LADO (Liberal Arts Diversity Officers) website.
Meet with the Sr. Associate Dean of Professional Development and Academic Access to receive feedback on and discuss job application materials.
Partners
The CTL partners with faculty, students, and colleagues across the university to support excellence and innovation in teaching and learning.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement facilitates faculty development and planning initiatives with an emphasis on creating a welcoming and inclusive climate at the university. Its Inclusive Faculty Pathways initiative serves as a bridge for prospective and continuing undergraduate and graduate students who have faced barriers in their academic journey.
The Office of University Life is a hub for University-wide student life information and initiatives.
The Leadership Alliance is a consortium comprising 41 partner organizations and has provided research, mentoring, and networking experiences to over 6000 scholars. The Leadership Alliance uses a time-tested model to leverage its collective resources to address the shortage of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in doctoral training programs, academia, and the broader research workforce.
We conduct outreach to cohorts participating in programs sponsored by The Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT), which empowers talented future educators to teach and serve as leaders in American education.
The Equity in Graduate Education Consortium brings together change-ready universities, graduate programs, and leaders to align policies and practices with commitments to equity and inclusion, making the relevant social science accessible and building supportive, sustainable infrastructure for change.