ASGC Builds Community, One Gathering at a Time

On a spring evening in Philosophy Hall, graduate students lingered around tables long after the café had closed, painting canvases and talking with peers from departments they might otherwise never encounter. The gathering was one of a growing number of events organized by the Arts and Sciences Graduate Council (ASGC) to create new opportunities for connection across the GSAS community.

This semester, the ASGC, the student government of Columbia's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), introduced two new initiatives designed to strengthen community and deepen graduate student engagement: Nights@Nous and ASGC Month. 

The first project grew out of a collaboration among the ASGC Executive Board and GSAS Dean Carlos Alonso and his staff. Together, they expanded graduate student access to the Graduate Student Center in 301 Philosophy Hall. While the Nous Café continues to close at 5:00 pm, the center now remains open exclusively to graduate students until midnight throughout the academic year. The extended hours created new possibilities for the space, prompting the ASGC to launch Nights@Nous, a series of evening programs intended to bring students together outside the classroom and laboratory. Throughout the semester, graduate students gathered for activities ranging from bouquet arranging and zine-making to a Bob Ross-inspired painting night. Former ASGC Vice President and incoming President Tia Abdul-Wasi said the council “wanted to take advantage of the resources and space that GSAS offers the graduate community to maximize the student experience.” They added that the events provided opportunities for “community cultivation, and trust building with our peers.”

The council also inaugurated April as ASGC Month, dedicating a full slate of programming to celebrate and support GSAS students. In partnership with GSAS Compass and the GSAS Alumni Relations Office, the ASGC hosted an alumni networking event at the Graduate Student Center, bringing current students and alumni together for an evening of conversation and professional connection. Nicole DeLeon Bulmer, Assistant Director of Employer Engagement at GSAS Compass, said the gathering “brought together GSAS students and alumni for an evening of meaningful conversations, and created valuable opportunities for connection and mentorship.”

Additional ASGC Month events reflected the breadth of the graduate student experience. Programming included a group outing to see Every Brilliant Thing on Broadway, a teaching assistant appreciation event, and a workshop tailored to the needs of international student scientists. The month concluded with the council's second annual formal boat cruise departing from Chelsea Piers, held just before the start of final examinations.

Over the summer, the ASGC Executive Board will evaluate this spring's initiatives and explore ways to build on their success through future programming and community-building efforts. Lucia Espineira, GSAS Assistant Director of Student Life and Well-being, and staff advisor to the council, noted with pride, “The ASGC leaders really leveled up their student engagement efforts this year. I was impressed with how they were able to connect with their peers and strengthen community among students from different backgrounds. I look forward to seeing what they do next.”