Athena Center for Leadership

Don't have time to take on a specific project, or to explore a specific method of changemaking — or don't feel ready to do that yet? That's okay! SPARK, our event series, and the Athena Film Festival will inspire you and ignite your thinking about what's possible and what you might do. They're open to everyone and you can take part in whatever way works for you.

This year, our theme for SPARK is protest. Be sure to tell us what you'd like to see in the series! And this year, our festival will take place March 2-4, 2023. Mark your calendar now.

Communities of practice are where we roll up our sleeves and get to work here at Athena. Our communities of practice provide (1) meaningful connections with students who share your interests, (2) mentorship and guidance from experts and experienced changemakers, (3) an ungraded space to try something new, take a risk, get it wrong, and try again, and (4) funding or help accessing funding from external sources so you can dedicate the time and attention. 

In 2022-2023, we're offering the Athena Fellows Program; Athena Incubator (for entrepreneurs); Athena Policy and Changemaking; Athena Digital Design; Athena Advocacy Institute; Williams Program for Women in Politics; Laidlaw Scholars Program; and SEE + Athena: Student Leaders.

Read about how these work and find information about eligibility and application deadlines here. 

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Not sure what community of practice is right for you? Or if you even want to join one? Or maybe you do want to join one, but the timing isn't working for you right now? Maybe you want to join one, but aren't seeing it on the list?

Whatever your reason, we'd love to get to know you so that we can identify ways to help you with your individual needs.

Our team members hold office hours and we welcome drop-ins too.

Our space is open from 10-5 pm every weekday, and if the CoLab isn't in use, you're welcome to use it to collaborate with others.

At Athena, we’ve spent the year thinking about protest: who does it, why they do it, and what (or how) they impact the world around them through their efforts. In this community of practice, we invite student organizers and activists to think critically about protest and its impacts. We’ll review case studies of various different types of protests, unpack our learnings, and explore how to actually use protest in effective ways. Join us to get curious about changing our communities – now! Learn more and express your interest here by January 31 at 11:59 pm. 

Do you want to make change through policy and government in the coming year? Join us on Wednesday, February 1, from 6:30 - 8 pm in the Athena CoLab to set goals and learn how to action-plan! Led by our Expert in Residence Emma Wolfe '01. Food will be provided. RSVP is encouraged here. 

We are happy to announce our first Athena Incubator cohort! These members will participate in an year long incubator program led by Entrepreneur-in-Residence Deepti Sharma who will help guide them to reach their business goals. Click here to learn more about them and their businesses. 

We are excited to share our inaugural 2022-2023 cohort of Intrapreneurial Leadership Fellows! The program brings together 5 women service members and veterans at Columbia School of General Studies and 5 Barnard students to connect across personal and professional experiences. Click here to learn more about them.

We are thrilled to announce our Fall 2022 cohort of Athena Fellows! Ten Barnard students from diverse majors and class years have been selected to participate in this semester’s program from September 9 to December 9. Click here to learn more about them.

Bridget Hughes is a junior majoring in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Human Rights. During the Fall 2022 semester, she is assisting with Athena Center operations and supports communication between our Communities of Practice, as well as outreach to the broader Barnard/Columbia community. Check out this snapshot of Bridget's experience interning with the Center!

In addition to being an ADDA alum, Athena's Tech Expert in Residence Sarah Breen '18 was a Computer Science major with a concentration in Economics and a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies during her undergraduate years. In this feature, Sarah shares how Barnard influenced her career path - including how it brought her back to Athena, where she helps students learn how to code and develop their tech projects for good.