Columbia University School of Social Work
Student Union & Caucuses
STUDENT UNION Executive Board, 2010-2011
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Sasha Ahuja
President
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Erinn Furey
Vice President
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Maggie Lo
Treasurer |
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Zeeshan Ott
Academic Senator |
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Garen Nigon
Caucus Liaison |
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Brian Rosenbaum
2nd Year Representative
Holli Silverman
2nd Year Representative
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Cynthia Antonio
1st Year Representative
Paul Ibarraa
1st Year Representative
Luis Santiago
1st Year Representative
Amy Schapiro
1st Year Representative
Laura Sinkman
1st Year Representative
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Jordan Miraglia
16-Month Student Representative |
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Dorsey Massey
Advanced Standing Student Representative |
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Huajuan Chen
International Student Representative |
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Yetunde Oshodi
Reduced Residency Student Representative |
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Carrie Dorn
Dual Degree Representative |
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Sarah Clore
Extended Student Representative |
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Karri Mayhan
Special Events Coordinator |
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Zanetta Harris
Asst. Special Events Coordinator |
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Gleneara Bates
Communications and Outreach Coordinator |
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| ADVOCATES FOR GERONTOLOGICAL EDUCATION (AGE) |
| Sadie Rubin |
| Eric Wong |
| Paul Nikolaidis |
| Rachel Itzkowitz |
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| The purpose of the Aging Awareness Caucus is to promote greater understanding of the aging community through group activities and critical discussion. The Caucus seeks to expand students’ recognition of aging as an important social work concern, encourage students to consider aging as a field of choice, work to reduce stigma towards older adults, recognize global issues of aging populations, encourage multicultural views of aging, and recognize the needs of underserved aging populations. |
| ADVANCED GENERALIST PRACTICE & PROGRAMMING (AGPP) CAUCUS |
Katherine Ambia
Adeline Medeiros
Michelle Grier |
kla2110@columbia.edu
meg2180@columbia.edu |
| Our purpose is to organize and engage in school and community activities that allow us to collaborate across multiple system levels. We aim to further educate our members by disseminating information that builds upon our Advanced Generalist Practice & Programming practice competencies. We hope to sustain these activities while continuing to embody the core principles of the AGPP method. |
| ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER CAUCUS |
| Jennifer Nguyen |
| Michael Kwon |
| Luke Patterson |
| Hana Sun |
| Brian Kim |
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| The Asian Pacific Islander (API) Caucus exists to support the professional development of its members and promote a greater understanding of the API experience, both domestic and global, through social work theory and practice. The API Caucus is dedicated to fostering greater diversity and cross-cultural competence within Columbia University School of Social Work by raising awareness of the API experience. It seeks to accomplish this by hosting panel discussions, guest speakers, and other networking and educational events that will include students, faculty members, alumnae of CUSSW and practicing professionals. |
| BLACK CAUCUS |
| Lauren Thompson |
| Ebonie Ellington |
| Shakira Jones |
| Patrick Burden |
| Alyssa Cose-Primus |
| Nawel Salim |
| Dianne Graham |
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| Our mission is to develop a support system for students of color at CUSSW, establish a positive relationship with the Harlem community, and through networking and partnering with other organizations, create a legacy of empowerment, leadership and social justice. |
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAUCUS |
| Tanisha Douglas |
| Kei Ri |
| Lucy Kasdin |
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| The Criminal Justice Caucus seeks to provide a forum for CUSSW students to access a spectrum of issues related to the social issue of criminal justice in order to build awareness, raise consciousness, and enhance practice competencies. Through the use and facilitation of film, lectures, debate, panels, and trainings, the caucus will provide essential context and information about prison expansion in the United States, in which currently one in one hundred adults is in jail or prison; about 10 million children have a parent in jail or prison; and one in nine African American men between the ages of 20 and 34 are in jail or prison. We believe it is the right and responsibility of all social work students to access critical dialogue, both inside and outside of the classroom, about the needs of people affected by incarceration; this client population crosses lines of generation, race, gender, religion, economic status, political belief, ability, sexual orientation, and otherwise. Student voices are essential in building solutions to serve the magnitude of need of people in prison, jail, on parole, on probation, victims of crime, children of prisoners, and their families. |
| CUSSW HELPS IN HAITI |
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| The mission of the CUSSW Helps in Haiti Caucus is to band the student body to effectively respond to the devastating result of the earthquake that hit Haiti in January. Utilizing a multi-pronged approach, we seek to address the social problems created and exacerbated by this catastrophic event. We aim to provide relief through fundraising, advocacy, awareness building and community involvement. This caucus will aid, uplift, and support this population, highlighting the resiliency of the Haitian people in the face of adversity. |
| CUPID |
| Jana Metzler |
| Taylor Conger |
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The Columbia University Partnership for International Development (CUPID) is a student-led effort across all of Columbia University to facilitate multidisciplinary dialogue, awareness, and action on international development. Recognizing the University’s excellence in this field, CUPID serves as a channel for individuals interested in international development to take advantage of the University’s wide-ranging human and institutional resources in their academic, extracurricular, and professional endeavors. Encouraging a collaborative spirit among students, professors, and alumni with diverse specialties, CUPID aims to explore and demonstrate how a multidisciplinary approach to international development can produce innovative, holistic solutions for disadvantaged populations. |
| DISABILITY AWARENESS CAUCUS |
| Lauren Powledge |
| Whitney Cottle |
| Marina Badillo |
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| The Disability Awareness Caucus was started because a group of students was concerned about the lack of attention being paid to disability issues at CUSSW. Disabilities impact so much of our society, even within the CUSSW community. Because so many people are affected by disabilities, we find it essential to provide a space for students with disabilities and for those who wish to learn more, gather, discuss, advocate, teach and learn. |
| FEMINIST CAUCUS |
| Danielle Armor |
| Kerry Salkin |
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The aim of the Feminist Caucus is to promote a greater understanding of women’s issues, gender-based oppression/inequality, and how feminism can positively impact social work practice and social justice. We organize events focusing on feminist issues in society that concern social workers and their clients. Our hope is our activities will encourage students to incorporate feminism into their personal lives and professional practice. |
| GREEN CAUCUS |
| Allie Lebowitz |
| Courtney Gray |
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The Green Social Work Caucus will develop a platform for students to explore the intersection of environmental justice, the green movement, and social work with other students while working towards a sustainable future. The green movement intertwined with social work/social justice will create sustainable resources, implement participatory democracy and grassroots organizing to achieve environmental justice. Social workers ensure that the green initiatives are linked with
historical roots in feminism and peace movements while emphasizing diversity and community action.
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| HAPA CAUCUS |
| Caitlin Christensen |
| Nikki Tennermann |
| Zenaida Hernandez |
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| The Hapa Caucus is a group for people of multiple racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, folks in interracial/ethnic/cultural relationships, and transracial/ national adoptees, as well as all others who want to engage in discussions about the complexities and intersections of identities. |
| INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE CAUCUS |
| Kelly Barneche |
| Katharine Williamson |
| Dana Kuefner |
| Latonya Dawson |
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| The International Social Welfare Caucus is a student led organization that seeks to provide information, resources, and support to students who are interested in the field of international social work. ISWC's mission is also to provide a means for students and advocates to maintain a formal student voice within the CUSSW Social Welfare Services to Immigrants and Refugees program, Columbia University, and the local international community. |
| JEWISH CAUCUS |
| Dorrie Barbanel |
| Marissa Gernett |
| Holli Silverman |
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| The Jewish Caucus was created for social work students to get involved in Jewish leadership as well as organizing activities around campus. We work alongside with the Hillel of Columbia University and offer many events such as bagel brunches, religious educational seminars, and community service projects. The Jewish Caucus encourages everyone’s involvement and is open to all CUSSW students. |
| LATINA/O CAUCUS |
| Juanita Mena |
| Ana Escalante |
| Kathy Guevara |
| Daisy Esqueda |
| Tanya Suarez |
| Maria Garcia-Mugg |
| Loreta Mana |
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| The mission of the Latina/o Caucus is to engage, compel, educate and inform members of CUSSW and the surrounding areas about issues affecting the Latina/o community. In addition, we aspire to be active social agents at CUSSW and New York City as we mature into professional and culturally competent social workers. We are always looking for students who are interested in Latina/o issues and cultures and look forward to new members and new ideas. |
| MEN'S CAUCUS |
| Brian Rosenbaum |
| Abby Mitchell |
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| The Men’s Caucus is an open forum that seeks to (1) identify men’s issues that social work can address and (2) normalize, promote and explore the experience of male social workers. The Men’s Caucus actively seeks the participation of all CUSSW students. |
NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT CAUCUS (OLD SCHOOL CAUCUS) |
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The Non-Traditional Student Caucus represents and supports the interests of older students returning to school after having been away from the academic arena for several years or more. We provide a forum that encourages new learning and the sharing of previous life/work experiences, while addressing some of the unique issues confronting non-traditional students - such as enriching a career path or professional goals, refreshing academic and technical skills, and developing a network of peer supports and social outlets within a university culture. |
| POLICY CAUCUS |
| Alyce Harriott |
| Jacob Wicks |
| Dereck Norville |
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| Policy Caucus is for students who are interested in policy and want to be involved in making a difference. We come together to learn more about policy issues and how each of us is affected by and can affect policy. We also work on improving the curriculum, field education and career information for Policy students, yet this group is not exclusive to policy method students. |
| QUEER CAUCUS |
| Sarah Bowman |
| Allie Lerner |
| Garen Nigon |
| Molly Ribble |
| Heather Zayde |
| Shilpa Ramesh |
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| The Queer Caucus at Columbia University School of Social Work seeks to create a welcoming space in which to foster camaraderie amongst lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and unlabeled (LGBTQQIU) students and their allies. We are committed to providing a supportive environment in which we can discuss issues relevant to the LGBTQQIU community and to social justice, engage in community action, and enjoy queer life at Columbia University and in New York City. We also aim to collaborate with members of the Columbia community to examine how queer issues intersect and overlap with those of other groups. |
| SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ADMINISTRATION CAUCUS |
| Charlene Pena |
| Atavia Whitfield |
| Maia Bookoff |
| Mark Fopeano |
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| The Social Enterprise Administration Caucus (SEAC) is a student caucus that cultivates the professional development and social work values of CUSSW students with an interest in social enterprise, corporate social responsibility, community organizing and practice, staff development, and the application of management models and evaluation techniques to the delivery of social services. The caucus provides a forum for academic support, career guidance, networking, and open discussion. Students from all methods and fields of practice offer insight from their experiences and disciplines. |
| SOCIAL WORK FILM SOCIETY CAUCUS |
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| The Social Work Film Society screens films (documentary, experimental, narrative fiction) related to social work topics, pairing each screening with a professor, discussant, or filmmaker to facilitate an open post-film dialogue. We are introducing two hands-on multimedia projects this year: a visual & audio diary for social work students ("Catch the Moment"), and a Media Activism project. |
S.S.W.A.P.S.
(Student Social Workers' Alliance for a Progressive Society) |
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| The Student Social Workers' Alliance for a Progressive Society is an organization of student social workers committed to reclaiming the social justice oriented tradition of our profession through advocacy and activism. We at SSWAPS believe that the challenge for budding social workers is to raise the political consciousness of our colleagues and clients and to combat the burnout of those who feel disempowered to take action. As social workers, we have no choice but to take action, and indeed, we are ethically obligated to do so. |
| TRANSNATIONAL CAUCUS |
| Ching-Hsuan Lin |
| Tao-Wen Fu |
| Yeongbin Kim |
| Yu-Ying Hsu |
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| The Transnational Caucus acts as a network platform that links current students who have overseas social work related experiences to students who are interested in practicing social work internationally. Our caucus also provides CUSSW international students with opportunities in meeting with CUSSW international alumni who are currently working in the US or in other countries. |
| WELLNESS CAUCUS |
| Billy Benson |
| Alyson Daniel |
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| The Social Worker's Wellness Caucus was created out of an interest in promoting physical, mental and emotional health and well-being among social work students at CUSSW. Self-care is important not only on the individual level but extends and influences the individuals, communities, and organizations with which we work. The aim of the Wellness Caucus is to increase member's capacity, understanding and awareness of different wellness-related resources in ourselves and in the community. |
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