Student Advisory Board
Athena's Student Advisory Board is a group of Barnard students who ensure that Athena's offerings meet the needs of Barnard students.
The Board meets four (4) times a semester with Athena staff. During those meetings, SAB members provide input on programs in development and ideas for new programs. Outside meetings, SAB members represent Athena at campus events as needed and host community-building events 1-2 times a semester on behalf of the Center. The Board is co-chaired by Emma Sullaway ‘25 and Bria Dominici '26.
We welcome all Barnard students, whether you are new to Athena or have participated in any of our programs. This is a great opportunity for you if you want to shape the programs that serve you, build relationships with the Athena team, and build community with fellow students. Even better if you see yourself joining a board one day!
If you are interested in joining the Student Advisory Board, please contact Erika Guzman at eguzman@barnard.edu.
Athena Student Advisory Board Members 2024-2025
Emma Sullaway '25, Co-Chair (she/her)
Emma Sullaway is a senior majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior. On Campus, she is a Lead Peer Mentor at the Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services (CARDS), VP of CU Sketch Show, and a video editor for WKCR. In her free time, Emma enjoys running in Riverside Park.
Bria Dominici '26, Co-Chair (she/her)
Bria Dominici is a junior and an Environment and Sustainability major. She is an Environmental Science Pathways Scholar, Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, Roosevelt Institute Fellow and a proud first-generation college student. She is passionate about environmental justice in marginalized communities and is involved in several community organizing initiatives on campus and throughout New York City. In her free time, she can be found trying new restaurants around the city and visiting flea markets.
Nicole Chang '25 (she/her)
Nicole Chang is a senior from Brazil and Taiwan. She is studying Educational Studies and Human Rights and has a keen interest in international affairs. On campus, Nicole works as a Peer Academic Coach for the Dean's Office, where she helps students identify and resolve their academic barriers and achieve their academic goals. During her free time, she loves to read, cook, and explore NYC.
Nubia Gooding '27 (she/her)
Nubia is passionate about human rights, political science, and understanding the history of economics to help promote social justice within underserved communities. Through the Athena Center, Nubia hopes to help minority students succeed and feel comfortable in their respective industries. In high school, she became one of the founding members and leaders of the "Hair Love Workshop"(HLW), an initiative to promote self-worth and love to the Black youth through hair care. Nubia is a member of Columbia Women’s Business Society, Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs, and ONYX dance troupe a black fem centered hip hop group created at Barnard. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, watching movies, and hanging out with friends and family.
Abby Jack '25 (she/her)
Abby Jack is a senior from Elizabethton, TN, majoring in Urban Studies with an Environment and Sustainability concentration and a History minor. On campus, she serves as BCUR's Outreach Coordinator, an Access Barnard Peer Mentor, and an intern at the Columbus-Amsterdam BID. In her free time, she loves to bike, explore the city with friends, and attend live performances, whether that be a concert or theater. She has previously served as an Athena Fellow in Fall 2023 and hopes to increase Athena's visibility and impact on underrepresented groups on campus.
Anushka Khetawat '26 (she/her)
Anushka Khetawat is a junior from New Delhi, India, majoring in Economics. On campus, she is a speaking fellow at Barnard's Speaking Center, a peer tutor in Economics and a photographer for Ratrock magazine. At Athena, she has been a part of Laidlaw Scholars, Athena Fellows and Ringside with Athena. In her free time, you can find Anushka cooking, reading or trying out new restaurants and cafes with her friends.
Nithiya Meng '26 (she/her)
Nithiya Meng is a junior from Philadelphia majoring in Cognitive Science specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and minoring in Psychology. She is passionate about recognizing and fulfilling user expectations to drive positive change through product marketing. What drew Nithiya to Athena was the vibrant communities of practice serving as risk-taking space for passionate changemaking students to tackle their diverse interests. She previously participated in Storytelling for Change and ADDA UX, where she deepened her understanding of user experiences in UI/UX and learned how to use storytelling to amplify often-suppressed voices. She's currently an Access Barnard Peer Mentor and proudly represents her FLI Cambodian heritage through Barnard’s Asian Diaspora to foster greater Asian visibility on campus. In her free time, she enjoys attending NYC pop-ups with friends, collecting miniature figures, and trying different matcha spots around the city.
Melina Nath '28 (she/her)
Melina Nath is a first year majoring in Cognitive Science. She is on the Columbia Spectator staff and is a Columbia Democrats Electoral Fellow. In her free time, Melina enjoys thrifting, trying new restaurants, and walks around the city.
Mira Nayak '27 (she/her)
Mira Nayak is a sophomore on the pre-med track with intentions of becoming an OBGYN. She is deeply passionate about facilitation and building spaces for dialogue. On campus, Mira created and is the facilitator for the Athena Center's SPARK program called Dinner and Dialogue. She is also a Learning, Engagement & Assessment Fellow at the Center for Engaged Pedagogy. In her free time, she loves to hangout with her friends and watch the Boston Celtics win championships.
Gabriela Sarahi Martinez Rodriguez '28 (she/her)
Gabriela Sarahi is a freshman from Mexico, currently intending to pursue a double major in Neuroscience and Economics. She is passionate about the positive impact that collaboration and leadership can have on individuals and communities, particularly in how STEM intersects with social change. In her free time, Gabriela enjoys having deep conversations on the lawns with friends, writing or reading in the park, and exploring the city. She is always happy to connect with new peers and engage in meaningful discussions!
Priya Shah '27 (she/her)
Priya Shah is a sophomore from New Jersey majoring in Economics and Art History. On campus, she writes for the Columbia Political Review and is a member of the Columbia University Formula Racing team's business team. In her free time, she enjoys reading and visiting the many museums of New York City.
Frances Alexandra Wasito '28 (she/her)
Frances Alexandra Wasito is an international student from Indonesia studying Economics and Political Science. As a freshman, Frances is excited about all the new opportunities within Barnard, especially the Athena Center. Above all, she is excited to learn and practice ways to give back to her community at home while contributing to campus. In her free time, Frances loves wandering around New York City to explore bookstores, coffee shops, and people-watch!
Vane Weingrad '26 (he/they)
Vane Weingrad is a junior and Film & History major from Miami, Florida. He studies and works towards highlighting the presence of marginalized identities in film archives, with a focus on queer, trans, & Latino history in media. On campus, he is currently working as a web developer for the History Lab at the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy. In his free time, he likes to cook recipes from home and watch television through a less academic lens.