Senator-Elect Jolee A. Cobb

Sen. Jolee A. Cobb is a rising senior in the School of General Studies pursuing a B.A. in Urban Studies. Originally from Orange County, California, she moved to New York City at 17 and brings more than a decade of experience to her academic and civic work. Before returning to higher education, Jolee spent ten years in the food and beverage industry, a background that informs her research into developing urban systems and balancing competing interests. Jolee previously served on the General Studies Student Council as the First‑Generation, Low‑Income, Working Student Representative, where she advocated for resource expansion and policy transparency. Beyond Columbia, she has held leadership roles in local governance serving as a Board Member and later the Housing Committee Chair for Brooklyn Community Board 9. 

As University Senator, Jolee is committed to strengthening GS representation within the broader university governance structure. Her priorities include improving communication channels between GS students and university leadership, ensuring student experiences inform policy decisions, and advancing resource distribution that reflects the realities of nontraditional, working, and justice‑impacted students. She aims to build bridges across the schools and elevate student‑driven solutions for a more equitable Columbia.