Student Affairs Committee

Sen. Varna Vasudevan is an MBA student at Columbia Business School, where she focuses on social enterprise, innovation, and early-stage venture capital. Originally from Northern California, she studied Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley, where countless hours spent prototyping in the campus makerspace sparked a career at the intersection of design, technology, and business. Sen. Vasudevan began her career in product strategy and user experience design at Ford, Lyft, and creative agency Instrument - helping imagine autonomous vehicle concepts, launch CitiBike and multimodal transit products, and lead design for the reimagined Oura App and Fortnite’s first loyalty program. At Columbia, she serves as a VP of Education for the Venture Capital Club, VP of Admissions for Columbia Women in Business, a Nonprofit Board Leadership Fellow, and an Orientation Leader for the Class of '27. She’s currently an MBA Associate at Female Founders Fund, supporting early-stage VC investments across healthcare, deep tech, and consumer sectors. Varna hopes to bring a creative, cross-disciplinary perspective to the University Senate - drawing on the open-minded, collaborative spirit of her alma mater and previous organizations to strengthen connection across Columbia’s diverse schools. In her free time, she loves exploring new matcha cafes, hip-hop dancing, traveling (country #37 this year!), and tinkering in the campus woodshop!

Sen. Simon Ogundare is an MD-PhD student at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a graduate of Columbia College (’24), where he studied neuroscience while participating in the John Jay and Laidlaw Scholars’ Programs. Born in New York and raised between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, he brings a transnational perspective to questions of health, identity, and structural inequality. 

Simon's research background explores the neuroscience of comorbidity, examining how chronic pain and depression co-occur, and how their neural representations become entangled in the brain. Elected to the University Senate in 2025, Simon is committed to transparency, structural accountability, and expanding student participation in university governance. His platform emphasizes cross-campus coalition-building and ensuring that the University Senate reflects the needs of students across CUIMC, especially during a time of active review of the University Senate’s structure and scope. 

Simon’s approach to advocacy is shaped by his international background, his work as a science communicator, and his commitment to building a community that welcomes and celebrates – rather than dilutes – diverse voices. He believes healing, education, and institutional change are fundamentally communal processes: each requiring trust, shared power, and sustained dialogue. On the University Senate, Simon aims to strengthen avenues of communication through existing and novel channels, strengthen the links between Morningside and CUIMC, and push Columbia toward a more inclusive, responsive, and transparent future. He sees the University Senate not just as a governance body, but as a platform for collective action: a space to organize across schools, challenge institutional inertia, and push for a Columbia that truly reflects the values, needs, and voices of its community.

Sen. Robert Mulvey is thrilled to begin his work as a University Senator representing the School of General Studies. Prior to Columbia, Robert performed with numerous professional ballet companies around the United States. Robert fought for dancers’ labor rights as a union organizer and directed outreach initiatives. His career was dedicated to protecting dancers and expanding arts access to underserved communities.

Robert is pursuing a B.A. in Philosophy with a concentration in Dance, with plans to pursue research in performance and media studies. His academic interests center on aesthetics, critical theory, and performance studies, with a focus on the relationship between movement, embodiment, and knowledge production. His research is driven by the rich insights scholarship can achieve at the intersection of dance and philosophy.
At Columbia, Robert has been actively involved in student leadership and advocacy, serving as a Senior Resident Advisor, GS Social Media Ambassador, and participant on University committees. His Senate priorities include expanding financial aid access, supporting FGLI and nontraditional students, improving arts and performance space availability, and fostering cross-school collaboration and integration.

Robert is committed to amplifying the voices of GS students and advancing policies that promote equity, academic flexibility, and interschool engagement across the University.

Sen. Naveen Anupoju is a master’s student in the Mathematics of Finance Program at Columbia University. Before joining Columbia, he graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and worked as a quant at an international bank, focusing on developing and refining risk models. Outside his academic and professional interests, Naveen enjoys practicing yoga, exploring music, cooking simple comfort meals, and finding new relaxing spots around New York City. He is excited to contribute to the Columbia community through his role in the University Senate.

Sen. Nasser Odetallah is an MFA student in Film at the Columbia School of the Arts. Originally from Oklahoma, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia School of General Studies (’25), studying English, film & media studies, and Mediterranean studies, and a bachelor’s degree from Yale University (’20), studying chemistry and molecular biophysics & biochemistry. 

While at Yale and General Studies, Nasser served in many leadership roles, supporting students and representing student interests to staff, administration, and faculty, most notably serving as Columbia General Studies Student Body President during the 2023-2024 academic year. Nasser is primarily interested in strengthening the voice of and engagement with students on central university issues including freedom of speech and academic freedom; financial support for students; campus access and space; expansion of key student services such as dining, health services, housing, and study spaces; and accountability from faculty and administrators in repairing institutional trust and integrity. Coming from Palestinian-American, Puerto Rican, LGBTQ+, and first-generation, low-income (FGLI) backgrounds, Nasser has experience working across student populations and interests to effect positive and long-lasting change at the university-level. Nasser looks forward to working with the other students on the University Senate to create positive change and continue to add the student voice on critical university-wide issues.

Sen. Michael Mitsanas is a Master of Science candidate at Columbia Journalism School, a Toni Stabile Fellow in Investigative Journalism, an Officer of the Graduate Student Government, a University Senator, and a freelance investigative reporter. His coverage has appeared in TIME Magazine, CNN International, NBC News, and other outlets, often revealing how decisions made in the halls of power shape the lives of real people. Michael has interviewed small business owners in Busan, a seaside port city in South Korea, to understand how U.S. trade policy affects their revenue streams; documented the Myanmar junta’s use of hunger as a “weapon of war” in Rakhine State; chronicled South Korean activists’ decades-long push for anti-discrimination legislation; and co-authored a TIME investigation exposing how central government data restrictions hamper local suicide prevention policy programs in South Korea. As a breaking news reporter, Michael covered stories at the nexus of law, politics, and global affairs. His reporting spanned the special counsel’s indictments of President Donald J. Trump, the 2024 GOP primary, the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Justice Department’s investigation of Hunter Biden, Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions, the Sudanese Civil War, state-level election law battles, the 2023 NATO summit, Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s diplomatic visit to China, the indictment of former CIA analyst Sue Mi Terry, and U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Michael holds a B.A. in International Studies from the American University School of International Service, and he is a member of the Overseas Press Club (OPC), Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE), and the National Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA). He speaks intermediate Korean and basic Greek.

Sen. Matthew Beck is a mechanical engineering Ph.D. student in the School of Engineering and Applied Science SEAS studying 2-D materials. Matthew is from Monmouth County, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rowan University. At Rowan University, Matthew served in several university leadership roles, including Student Government Association (SGA) President and Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs. Matthew also has several years of industry experience working at Lockheed Martin in advanced electronic packaging. While at Columbia, Matthew has served as a department representative for the Engineering Graduate Student Council and as Ph.D. Career Chair for the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Association. On the University Senate, Matthew co-chairs the Student Affairs Committee and serves on the Alumni Relations and Executive committees. 

Sen. Marc Younker is a 3L representing Columbia Law School. Marc currently Marc co-chairs the University Senate Rules Committee and serves on the Student Affairs Committee. He is from West Orange, New Jersey, and earned his B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University, graduating magna cum laude. Outside of Columbia, Marc serves on the board of Garden State Equality, New Jersey's largest LBGTQ+ advocacy organization.

Sen. Mahlon Mathieson, MS ’25, is a Doctor of Nursing Practice student in the Midwifery Program at Columbia University School of Nursing and serves as the School’s representative to the Columbia University Senate. She is committed to shared governance, inclusive leadership, and ensuring that student voices are meaningfully represented in university decision making. In addition to her role as University Senator, Mahlon serves on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Graduate Nursing Student Academy Leadership Council, where she contributes to the development of programs and resources that support master’s and doctoral nursing students nationwide. She also works as a teaching assistant, peer mentor, and academic coach, supporting graduate students academically and emotionally throughout their training. Mahlon’s academic and research interests center on maternal health equity and trauma informed care. Her current work focuses on the development of a structured screening tool to identify interpersonal violence during antepartum care, with the goal of improving early detection and integrating trauma informed practices into midwifery and obstetric settings. As a student leader, Mahlon is dedicated to amplifying diverse perspectives, fostering collaboration across disciplines, and advocating for policies that promote equity, belonging, and student well being. She approaches leadership with empathy, accountability, and a strong commitment to service.

Sen. Maeghan Sill (she/her/hers) is a Ph.D. student in the Education Leadership program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Driven by a deep commitment to educational equity, her passion for using data to drive meaningful change was forged by a teaching career spanning more than a decade in diverse school settings in the U.S. and overseas. While completing her M.S. in Learning Analytics, also from Teachers College, she served their Student Senate as a departmental senator and an active student advocate. She co-authored a bill that led to the rollout of free menstrual products in campus bathrooms and served on the Campus Safety Advisory Committee. She also represented student interests at the Student Library Advisory Council and worked to initiate a smaller meal plan option. Her research now lies at the intersection of education leadership and data science, where she explores how factors like school climate impact teacher retention and workforce diversity. As a University Senator, she is committed to serving as a bridge between students and university leadership, fostering greater equity, transparency, and community.

Sen. Liane Bdair is a student at Columbia College, studying economics and political science on a pre-law track. She serves on the executive board of Turath, the Arab Students Association, where she helps foster community and cultural pride among Arab-identifying students. Additionally, Liane’s Palestinian- American Background makes her deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and student advocacy. As a University Senator, Liane is focused on promoting shared governance, increasing transparency from the administration, and ensuring that student perspectives are meaningfully included in decision-making processes. With a new perspective and a dedication to building bridges between administration and student groups, she is passionate about amplifying voices that are often overlooked in university policy and governance conversations.

Sen. Ko-Chia Tsai is a master’s student in the Applied Analytics program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems from Oregon State University and brings over five years of professional experience in the technology sector, working in roles such as IT Test Analyst and Application Developer. Her academic focus includes data-driven decision-making, organizational analytics, and the intersection of technology and community impact. Alongside her studies and professional background, Ko-Chia has been actively involved in student initiatives and service-oriented programs supporting youth and community development, consistently demonstrating a commitment to collaborative leadership and inclusive engagement. In her role as a University Senator, Ko-Chia works to strengthen interdisciplinary dialogue, improve communication between students and university leadership, and ensure that student perspectives are represented in institutional discussions. She is committed to promoting transparency, equitable access to resources, and connections across Columbia’s campuses, with a focus on fostering a more engaged and inclusive student experience.

Sen. Jacob Benoist is a graduate student at the Columbia Climate School, where he studies the interrelationships between climate change and society. As the University Senator representing one of Columbia’s newest schools, he is dedicated to strengthening connections across the university and ensuring that climate has a meaningful place in campus-wide dialogue and decision-making. Jacob earned his B.A. in Individualized Studies from New York University in 2024, where he explored how environmental studies can be leveraged for effective and inclusive sustainability within business and governance. His professional and research experiences span education, policy, and finance, informing his current academic focus on climate communication – aligning corporate sustainability incentives with community-driven action.

Sen. Huda Paracha (BC ‘26) is a rising senior at Barnard College, majoring in religion, with a focus on Islam, and on the pre-medical track. As a first-generation, low-income student from Queens, New York, Huda empathizes and stands with her peers as the student body fights to make their voices heard. She is proud to serve on the University Senate and advocate on behalf of Barnard’s diverse student population, and the wider Columbia University and Harlem community. In addition to serving as University Senator for Barnard College, Huda works to give back to her community, spending her time volunteering at Mount Sinai’s Oncology Center for the American Cancer Society. On the University Senate, Huda co-chairs the Student Affairs Committee, and serves on the Executive and Education committees. 

Sen. Helen Han Wei Luo is a Philosophy PhD student whose dissertation centers the relationship between ethics and etiquette, following the Confucian tradition. Her research is partly supported by the SSHRC doctoral fellowship. Raised in Vancouver, she holds a B.A. in French and Political Science from Simon Fraser University and a M.A. in Philosophy from the University of British Columbia. A creative writer in her spare time, some of her representative work is featured at the CBC Literary Prizes, in The Plentitudes Journal, and in the Best of Canadian Poetry 2023 anthology. On the University Senate, Helen is Vice Chair of the Student Affairs Committee, co-chairs the Commission on Diversity, and serves on the Executive Committee.

Sen. Emanuel Clemente (he/him/his) is a Master of Public Health student at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, concentrating in sociomedical sciences. A graduate of the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science, Emanuel’s work and academic interests lie at the intersections of medicine, law, and community health. Originally from South Florida and from a Puerto Rican family, Emanuel’s perspective is shaped by his experiences navigating social and structural inequities in health and education. He values organization, transparency, and collaboration as essential tools for effective advocacy and student representation. His background in community outreach, health education, and civic mobilization reflects his commitment to transforming the structures that influence population health outcomes through any role he assumes. 

Joining the University Senate during a pivotal moment in the University’s history, Emanuel is dedicated to representing student voices with transparency, empathy, and integrity. He aims to strengthen the relationship between Columbia’s Morningside and CUIMC campuses, deepen the University’s engagement with the surrounding New York City community, and foster an inclusive academic environment that promotes student wellness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public service. Emanuel believes in building a public health community that not only studies inequity but actively works to dismantle it.

Sen. Elizabeth Adeoye (she/her) is a Columbia College student majoring in political science, with a minor in sociology and a special concentration in business management. She previously served on the Columbia College Student Council as Pre-professional Representative and currently sits on the boards of several cultural and pre-professional organizations, including the African Students Association. She is also a Resident Adviser, supporting undergraduate students throughout their time in University housing. Coming from a Nigerian-American background, Elizabeth advocates for increased support and resources for FLI students, international students, and students of color. She also dances on two teams, Raw Elementz and the Columbia University Dance Team, remaining active in Columbia’s cultural life.
 

As a University Senator, Elizabeth plans to push for clearer communication between students and administration, more equitable resource distribution, and stronger representation for underrepresented communities in university policy. She brings to the role a strong track record of leadership, cross-campus collaboration, and a deep investment in equity and inclusion at Columbia.

Sen. Eli Baum is a senior from Brooklyn, NY. He studies math and English at Columbia College. Currently, he is an editor at The Blue and White Magazine, where he has written and edited articles about campus and local politics. In his free time he likes to play board games and read.

Sen. Ebonnie Goodfield ('24GS, '26SW) is a Navy Veteran, Columbia Center for Veteran Transition & Integration staff, Columbia Alumni Association Board member, Founder and President of Women Veterans of Columbia University and Campbell Award Recipient for GS 2024 graduating class. During her undergraduate she updated the university's antibullying policies, co-created intercollegiate fellowship programs for women students and served as Vice President for Columbia Milvets, assisting in coordinating the Dean's Women Roundtable series, sitting on Columbia University Military Ball committee, and introducing the university's first Women President at her inaugural event. She is now pursuing her Master's in Social Work with a policy focus aimed at informing and tailoring the transition of women veterans. Ebonnie has been the recipient of the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Hero award (2018), the GS Service and Change Agent awards (2021-2023), the Columbia Alumni Association Campbell, Restorer of Broken Walls DV Ministry Purple Shoe and National Alliance on Mental Illness Max Gabriel Awards (2024) and most recently accepted the William Pearson Tolley Champion for Veterans in Higher Education Award with her colleagues at CVTI for visionary leadership, advocacy and transforming the landscape of higher education for veterans.

Sen. Daniel Peishan Li is a graduate student in Columbia University’s Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences Program, where his work centers on applied data science, statistics, and interdisciplinary social research. He previously earned his B.S. at Emory University, majoring in quantitative science and economics. His interests span machine learning, political behavior, and empirical finance, with experience across investment banking, asset management, and AI adoption. At Emory University, Daniel served as President of Eta Omega Chi, a professional business fraternity aimed at strengthening career development and community-building across campus. As the University Senator representing GSAS/Social Sciences, he is committed to building equal practical support for cross-disciplinary channels, expanding actionable access to academic and career support services, and connecting social science students with the institutional and professional resources they need to thrive.

Sen. Dafne Sarfati is a senior at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, studying industrial engineering with minors in computer science and entrepreneurship and innovation. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, she is passionate about utilizing technology, data analytics, and entrepreneurship to drive social innovation, sustainability, and educational equity. 

Dafne has served on the Engineering Student Council for two years as the International Student Representative, where she advocated for policies and initiatives that support the academic, career, and campus life of international students. She is currently the Co-President of the Columbia Turkish Students Association and the Treasurer for the Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs (CORE), where she manages club finances and leads weekly workshops on entrepreneurship and product management. She is also involved with Columbia Undergraduate Admissions, serving on the Engineering and Global Recruitment Committees. 

Dafne has worked on projects such as developing a community-led well-being index in New York City, and creating a digital course advising system for Columbia’s Industrial Engineering and Operations Research Department. Through the University Senate, Dafne hopes to advocate for international students, promote transparency, and strengthen communication between SEAS undergraduates, the University Senate, and the wider Columbia community.

Sen. Camille McGriff was re-elected to the University Senate in Spring 2024. She is a dual degree student in the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) and Master of Critical, Conceptual, and Curatorial Practices (CCCP) programs at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. She received her undergraduate degree in Architectural Studies and Writing & Rhetoric from Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2022). As a member of the University Senate, she focuses on the campus experience, including spatial planning and development. She is passionate about the spatial politics of architecture and their resulting rhetorical practices. Her personal interests include fiction writing, running, and sailing.

Sen. Bruce Fan is the University Senator representing the School of International and Public Affairs. Bruce is currently a first-year Master of International Affairs student at SIPA, concentrating in data science for policy. His academic and professional interests sit at the intersection of public policy, technology, and governance, with particular focus on AI governance, digital assets, and evidence-based policymaking. Prior to SIPA, he studied political science and has worked across government, policy research, and technology-oriented organizations. 

As University Senator, Bruce is focused on strengthening communication between SIPA students and the broader Columbia community, advocating for transparency in university governance, and advancing policies that support student well-being, academic flexibility, and cross-school collaboration. He is especially interested in ensuring that graduate student perspectives are meaningfully represented in institutional discussions that shape Columbia’s future. Bruce views student governance as both a responsibility and an opportunity to listen carefully, act thoughtfully, and serve with integrity on behalf of the SIPA community.

Sen. Aarsh Ray was born and raised in Katy, Texas, a suburb west of Houston. He attended Texas Tech University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Microbiology. Currently, he is a member of the class of 2027 in the College of Dental Medicine. He is passionate about learning about the issues and challenges facing the oral health care system and how to approach them. In his free time, he enjoys watching and playing basketball and football. Within the University Senate, his main passions lie in ensuring that Columbia University is an encouraging and safe place for all students to excel in their collegiate endeavors. He is thrilled to serve his institution, Columbia University, which has been a pillar of educational excellence for centuries.