Join the aLIONce
Together we ROAR.
Vote for us for CCSC '22!
Who We Are
We are a diverse cabinet containing members from all walks of life. Whether you are a student of an underrepresented background, or interested in the sciences or the classics, here at aLIONce we have someone who can represent you. With members of different ethnicities, interests, and residence halls, together we will enrich the Columbia College community.
Phillip Ruddy
Class President
As a native New Yorker, I am proud to now call Carman 13 my home. I am planning to major in Economics-Political Science and dance with the Columbia Ballroom Dance Club. When I am not cycling or practicing my Russian, I am working with service organizations like Habitat for Humanity to strengthen communities in need. As your next President, I will foster a greater sense of community within Columbia College by increasing the breadth of student events on campus. Together we can be the force of change here at Columbia. I hope I can count on your support and vote!
Caroline Chen
Class Vice President
A New York native and current resident of Furnald Hall, I am a potential Biology major passionate about social outreach and mental/physical health. As your next Vice President, my focus is on campus accessibility, class unity, school spirit, and community service. I am currently watching Kim’s Convenience on Netflix and teaching myself to play the guitar off of YouTube! I love every aspect of NYC life and can’t wait to grow academically and professionally alongside the Class of 2022. I hope you choose to ROAR with the aLIONce and truly appreciate your taking the time to vote!
Cassandra Marcussen
Class Representative
Hailing from Connecticut, I’m proud to call Wallach 7 my new home. I intend to major in Computer Science - Mathematics, and I’m extremely passionate about social change. In my hometown, I developed programs encouraging young women to learn to code. At Columbia, I can often be found playing the cello or working on my start-up brand, Pun Intended. I’m also a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. My focus as your next Representative is to advocate for student concerns and inclusivity in order to increase class collaboration and spirit. I hope I can count on your support and vote!
Christian Rene Palomares
Class Representative
Raised in Los Angeles and being a member of the LGBT+ community, I’m excited to spend the next four-ish helping to embolden the typically-underserved voices here on campus!
My favorite aspects of Columbia are the free jazz concerts at John Jay lounge and hating on/loving Hartley Hall (I feel your struggle fellow Hartley-ers). As your class representative I will work to strengthen our community and our relationship with Harlem. I hope you choose to ROAR with the aLIONce and appreciate you taking the time to vote!
Nurasyl Shokeyev
Class Representative
Coming from Astana, Kazakhstan, I am excited to be part of the richly diverse John Jay and Columbia communities. I enjoy following and writing about current affairs and was the Editor of my high school’s economics publication. I intend to pursue a joint major in economics and mathematics. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, soccer and cycling. As your class representative, I will focus on ensuring every member of our community is able to take full advantage of our educational opportunities. Together, let’s make the most out of our four years here!
Our Platform
ROAR together: "R"espect, "O"rganization, "A"ction, "R"ah-Rah.
Respect
-Build long-lasting connections within our class and school
-Create a campus community conducive to establishing both close friendships and professional networks
-Aid our peers in expanding their social circle and growing to explore and appreciate different perspectives from their own
Our plan:
Highlight various cultural groups each week to encourage acceptance and appreciation of different ideas
Gratitude/Kindness Week
Professor/TA Appreciation week
Freshman tailgates and exclusive gift-backs
Have upperclassmen describe their Columbia journey to guide the Class of 2022 in their prospective majors and careers
Organization
-Increase access to Columbia College Student Council
-Combat mental and physical health issues, in conjunction with with overall stress culture
-Encourage our peers to share their concerns
Our plan:
Town halls at each Freshman dorm
Standardized digital platform for both reporting issues to the CCSC and meeting with members
A digital platform for collaborating on interdisciplinary projects, such as artwork and coding
Encouraging the digitization of health center appointments
Get Healthy Columbia Week
The creation of GuideBook for clubs and organizations
Action
-Better understand and appreciate our role within our community of Harlem and how we can be better stewards of our home
-Develop and practice more environmentally-friendly policies
How:
Class-wide community service
Clean up of Riverside & Morningside Park
Environmental service projects in Harlem
Permanent composting bins in John Jay, have daily goals for Food Waste
Small Business Saturday
Rah-Rah
-Unify for a purpose greater than ourselves
-Increase school spirit and foster a connected community for first-year Columbia students
How:
Tailgates and BBQs at Columbia Sporting events
Speaker Series which feature fellow First-Years discussing their experiences within their community or identity
Cryscream event: Ice-cream during Midterms and Finals to help alleviate stress
Contact
