Jacob D. Benoist

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.