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 Dipashreya Sur ‘23 and Rachel Burns ‘24.
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 2022-2023
Dipashreya Sur '23, Co-Chair (she/her)
Dipashreya Sur (das2276@barnard.edu) is a senior majoring in Computer Science. On-Campus, she dances with Columbia Taal, an Indian Classical Dance Team. She is very passionate about dance and tries to take a new dance class every semester at Barnard. So far, she has taken Dances of India, African Dance, Afro-Cuban Dance, and Flamenco. In her spare time, she can be found exploring new restaurants and cuisines in NYC.
Rachel Burns '24, Co-Chair (she/her)
Rachel Burns (rab2275@barnard.edu) is a junior from Maine majoring in Political Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a potential minor in Italian. She is a communications intern at the Brennan Center for Justice and runs her own handmade clothing business (@handmade4hotties)! In her free time, Rachel can be found crocheting, cooking, picnicking with friends, or meandering through the city in search of adventure or bubble tea!
Fiona Campbell '23 (she/they)
Fiona Campbell (fec2114@barnard.edu) is a senior majoring in Urban Studies and Sociology. On campus, you can find her working with the Barnard/Columbia Urban Review or creating art in Columbia's print shop. Off-campus, she loves to cook with friends and have dance parties in the kitchen.
Samantha Dhanani '23 (she/her)
Samantha Dhanani (sfd2117@barnard.edu) is a senior majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior. She is from San Jose, California, and is working in the Muhle Lab and the New York State Psychiatric Institute in the child psychiatry division for her thesis project. Her project at the Muhle lab is focused on assessing mouse behavior. On campus, she is part of Columbia Synapse and organizes an annual weekend-long conference inviting professionals who work with brain injury to come to campus and spread awareness about brain injuries. She is also an RA in Plimpton! In her spare time, Sam likes to go on runs in Riverside and spend time with friends on campus.
Christina Graham '23 (she/her)
Christina Graham (cmg2238@barnard.edu) is a senior studying Sociology. She lives in San Francisco, California, but was born and raised in Brooklyn. Christina is an entrepreneur, interested in Public Health and Healthcare. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her friends, cook, and play music!
Annabelle Jack '23 (she/her)
Annabelle Jack (acj2141@barnard.edu) is a senior from Seattle, Washington majoring in Economics. On campus, she is also a Writing Fellow at Barnard and a member of the Columbia Women's Business Society. She worked in the tech sector this past summer and enjoys collaborative problem-solving. In her spare time, she can be found walking in Riverside Park or trying a new restaurant in the city.
Alexis Jean-Pierre '24 (she/they)
Alexis Jean-Pierre (ajj2144@barnard.edu) is a junior born in Queens and majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a potential minor in Chemistry. She is involved with research in collaboration with CUNY Queens College and SUNY Old Westbury. On campus, she is a member of Barnard's Chemical Society and the Student Government Association Equity Committee. In her free time, she can be found working in the Milstein Center or baking for friends and family!
Molly Leahy '24 (she/her)
Molly Leahy (mml2241@barnard.edu) is a junior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Dance. On-campus, you can find her dancing with Orchesis, Columbia's largest performing arts group, or writing for The Blue and White, Columbia's undergraduate magazine. Off-campus, you are likely to find her intercepting dog walkers in Riverside Park or exploring the city's ice cream scene.
Mahabuba Masud '26 (she/her)
Mahabuba Masud (mm6150@barnard.edu) is a freshman from Queens, New York City, and a proud first-generation and low-income student. She is passionate about combating healthcare inequalities and empowering students from minority backgrounds in their academic endeavors. She has worked with several nonprofit organizations to assist community members such as providing emotional support to older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic and mentoring underrepresented students interested in STEM fields. In her free time, she loves exploring New York City with her friends, watching science-fiction movies, and reading!
Riya Colin Shah '24 (she/her)
Riya Colin Shah (rs3911@barnard.edu) is a junior from Mumbai majoring in Economics and Cognitive Science. On-Campus, she tutors students in Economics and Mathematics, she is a member of the Women's Network and Breast Cancer Society, and she dances with Columbia Dhoom a Bollywood fusion team. In her free time, Riya can be found playing spike ball, listening to music, and roaming around the city taking pictures of food and flowers!
Mariame Sissoko '24 (they/them)
Mariame Sissoko (ms6153@barnard.edu) is a junior from West Philadelphia majoring in Medical Anthropology and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies with a concentration in Feminist Intersectional Science and Technology Studies. Mariame is a proud member of Barnard's First Generation/Low-Income community and is the student coordinator for the FLI Partnership library. On campus, they serve as the Student Government Association's Vice President of Equity, a Speaking Fellow at Bernard's Speaking Center, and a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow. In their spare time, Mariame can be seen around campus with their film camera photographing daily Barnard life which they share on their film account (mari_infilm).
Arianna Suarez '26 (she/her)
Arianna Suarez (as6779@barnard.edu) is a first-year from Westchester, NY, and is a prospective Educational Studies major. She is passionate about contemporary issues in education and improving education to meet standards in the 21st century. On-Campus, she is a member of CU sign, takes Salsa lessons at Casa Hispánica, and attends workshops and discussions to learn new skills and grow. She is the dance coordinator of the Grupo Folclórico Dominicano and leads practice groups to perform traditional dances alongside the folkloric group. In her free time, she enjoys participating in cultural and community events.
Emma Sullaway '25 (she/her)
Emma Sullaway (ess2238@barnard.edu) is a sophomore and prospective Neuroscience and Behavior major. On-Campus, she is involved with Best Buddies Club and writes for the Federalist, Columbia's satirical newspaper. In her free time, Emma can be found collaging, baking with friends, and cheering on Boston sports teams.
Menasha Thomas '24 (they/she)
Menasha Thomas (mat2244@barnard.edu) is a junior studying Urban Studies with a concentration in Sociology. They were born and raised in New York and are currently working at Barnard's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office. On campus, they lead the Barnard Slam Poetry Team, and you can often find them crafting in the Design Center. In their free time, you can find them cooking meals for their friends!