Student Leadership
The many student groups and activities at Columbia Business School provide a rich and varied complement to academic life. Serving as a student leader can round out your experience at Columbia Business School and help to broaden your skills for a successful career.
The Office of MBA Student Life works closely with all student groups, including the Graduate Business Association (GBA; the student government) to help meet your organization’s goals.
Below is a sampling of leadership programs and opportunities.
- Graduate Business Association
- Peer Advisors
- The Bottom Line
- Class Committee
- Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center Student Leadership and Ethics Board
- Program on Social Intelligence: Advanced Leadership
Graduate Business Association (GBA)
The GBA has elected officers and a governance committee, which operates as the student government for the School. The leadership of the GBA is composed of the GBA Executive Committee, the GBA Council and first and second-year cluster representatives.
The GBA Executive Committee
Composed of elected second-year students, the GBA Executive Committee represents the student body to the administration and faculty on a number of issues. The committee works closely with the Office of MBA Student Life, Student Academic Affairs and the Dean’s Office. It also coordinates a variety of social events and appoints representatives to standing committees.
Peer Advisors
Peer Advisors are students, selected through an application and interview process, who guide new students through the first-year transition to Business School. Peer Advisors are actively involved in both fall and spring orientation and, as part of the Program on Social Intelligence, coach and advise first year-study groups through the first year. Peer Advisors go through extensive leadership training and work closely with faculty, departments and the Office of MBA Student Life as liaisons with the first-year class.
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line is the biweekly student newspaper, the “voice” of Columbia Business School.
The Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center Student Leadership and Ethics Board
The Student Leadership and Ethics Board is composed of first- and second-year MBA and EMBA students who develop programs focused on ethical decision making and principled leadership. Students are selected based on an interest in leadership and ethics as well as academic and work experience. The board interacts with faculty, staff, alumni and students to develop, support, organize and market extracurricular events under the auspices of the Center. Events include high-profile speakers and experiential learning activities such as films, role-playing activities, events featuring improvisational actors and other creative sessions as determined by the board.
The Program on Social Intelligence: Advanced Leadership
As part of the Program on Social Intelligence, Advanced Leadership programs are available to students through the Peer Advisor Program and as sessions for club presidents and other officers. The Peer Advisor Program includes several days of advanced leadership training on team development and dynamics, coaching and facilitation and using assessment tools for setting objectives. Led by faculty, alumni and outside consultants, other workshops topics include conflict management, motivating peers, delivering performance feedback and communication and presentation skills.
