Take the Mic, Take Action!

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A community of practice offered by the Athena Center for Leadership 

in partnership with the

Center on Global Energy Policy’s Women in Energy initiative

Do you want to learn how to lead thoughtful and constructive conversations about our energy and climate challenges?

Take the Mic, Take Action! is a community of practice facilitated by Jessica Weis, director of the Women In Energy initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

CGEP hosts numerous events throughout the year to educate and inform the public and give decision makers the independent analysis and information they need to address energy and climate challenges. 

Over two sessions, you'll gain public speaking skills, learn best practices for moderating panels and apply the concept of reflective practice.

Following the sessions, you’ll be added to a pool of potential moderators for CGEP and Athena events — the perfect way to keep practicing your skills.  

Who Can Join:

• Any Columbia or Barnard student. No previous public speaking experience is required.

Our goal is to bring together a group of students with diverse experience, from across Columbia University. We're looking for students who:

• Are committed to working towards equal gender representation at every level within the climate and energy sector.

• Have demonstrated interest in moderating panels.
• Have demonstrated interest in a future career in climate and energy.
• Have demonstrated previous interest in climate and energy, for example, by attending events, whether at CGEP or elsewhere.

The Commitment:

• Two Friday afternoon sessions from 12:30 pm- 4:30 pm, in person at CGEP, and 1 hour of work between the sessions

  • Fall 2024: October 18th and 25th. Attendance at both sessions is required.

The Perks: 

• Lunch during both sessions, time with amazing leaders in energy and climate policy, and your name on a list of future moderators for CGEP and Athena events — and, of course, as always, the opportunity to build community with your peers and Athena.

Applications to join are accepted during the first two weeks of each semester. ​Check back in early Spring 2025 for your opportunity to apply!

Questions? Reach out to Jessica Weis, Program Director of the Women in Energy Program at the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia, at jw4383@columbia.edu or Lauren Carr, Senior Programs Assistant at Athena, at lcarr@barnard.edu. 

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This experience is offered as part of SPARK, Athena's series on change and how it happens. This year, we're exploring the role of "transition" in changemaking. 

Want to see what other communities of practice we're offering this year? View them here.