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Athena Center Home Page

Welcome to Our Post-Baccalaureate Fellow, Kory Louko '17

Kory will spend her Fellowship year working on Athena Film Festival programming and operations activities as well as pursuing creative projects of her own. We're excited to welcome this all-star alum back to campus!

Congratulations to the Athena Scholar Class of 2019

We are so proud of the 51 graduating senior Scholars — we cannot wait to see all you will accomplish.

Athena Film Festival: LA Screenwriting Lab A Success

In mid-June, the Athena Film Festival held its 2nd LA screenwriting and TV Lab. The three-day lab focused on emerging women writers in both film and television; we were thrilled to have 18 writers from across the country participate. Special thank you to our partners at WIST and Stephens MFA for facilitating, and to our sponsor Lifetime for hosting the lab. 

What We Offer

The Athena Center for Leadership Studies is dedicated to the development of inspired and courageous women leaders. There are a variety of ways to get involved with the Center. These programs are open to all Barnard students — we hope you will join us. 

Build Your Leadership Skills
Learn to Code with ADDA
Funded Opportunities
Volunteer at the Athena Film Festival
Attend An Event
Develop Your Financial Fluency

Athena in Action

Group photo of 2018 Rio Program Group

Leadership Growth for Women in Brazil

Athena partners with the Columbia Global Center | Rio on a program serving ~30 Brazilian professionals who will contribute to the transformation of Brazil’s public service. 

Financial Fluency Instructor

Financial Fluency Workshop for Seniors

As part of our efforts to foster financial empowerment amongst Barnard women, we offer a two-hour seminar tailored to seniors to learn more about financial health and prepare them for life after Barnard. 

One team from 2018 Final Pitch Event during Athena Summer Innovation Institute

2019 Athena Summer Innovation Institute

Congratulations to the 31 graduates of the 2019 ASII boot camp — a program that provides young women with the practical skills and knowledge they need to develop innovative ideas and business solutions.

Student Spotlights

Name: Nishat Chowdhury

Major: Computer Science

Class Year: 2020

Athena Affiliation: Athena Digital Design 

“I'm passionate about representation of women in STEM. Women often endure imposter syndrome in a male dominated field. ADDA provides an incredibly supportive environment that brings together women of various majors interested in using coding skills so they learn to make an impact.”

Name: Michelle Lin

Major: Chemistry with a minor in Psychology

Class Year: 2021

Athena Affiliation: Athena Scholar 

“What I love most about Athena is that it brings me out of my comfort zone. Being both a science major and Scholar, Athena allows me to look beyond my science classes and investigate entrepreneurial opportunities in science.”

Name: Phanesia Pharel

Major: Theatre 

Class Year: 2021

Athena Affiliation: Athena Scholar and Center Intern

“I love that Athena allows me the freedom to become the woman I want to be while challenging me to have discussions and conversations that I would not force myself to have.”