"Hi, my name is Tahiyah and I am a senior at Barnard studying English with a minor in Psychology on the Urban Teaching Track! As a first-generation, HEOP scholar, Writing Fellow, Peer Mentor, and aspiring educator, I have a keen interest in working toward creating equitable and engaging classroom experiences. Having joined the LEAF community during its pilot 2022 Student Learning Assessment Community, I have had the opportunity to consistently provide meaningful feedback and engage in dialogue with faculty from my unique perspective as a student. From running mid-semester feedback sessions to engaging in pedagogical partnerships, it has been both fulfilling and a pleasure to first handedly center student voices, help professors implement changes in their classroom, and work toward making classrooms inclusive of all people from varying academic backgrounds."

-Tahiyah Hussain '25
English major, Psychology minor

"Hello, my name is Guadalupe Vasquez! I am a first-generation senior double majoring in Human Rights & Spanish and Latin American Cultures with a minor in Education Studies. I began working with the Center for Engaged Pedagogy in Summer 2022 and have since served as a Learning, Engagement & Assessment Fellow. Passionate about addressing the hidden curriculum and its resulting educational disparities, I utilize my role as a LEAF to foster meaningful and transparent student-professor relationships, which I believe are crucial for creating and sustaining an equitable classroom and transformative learning experience for students and professors alike." 

-Guadalupe Vasquez, ‘25
Human Rights & Spanish and Latin American Studies major, Education Studies minor

"Hi! My name is Zala Bhan, and I’m a sophomore at Barnard College studying Mathematics and Economics. I’m passionate about fostering meaningful social change, whether through public health initiatives or reconciliation and dialogue efforts. At Barnard, I began this journey through the Dialogue and Difference community of practice, which deepened my understanding of how conversations across divides can shape more inclusive and resilient communities. The lessons I've learned from those sessions are not only applicable in conflict zones but also in creating mutual respect and understanding in everyday settings. I'm driven by the belief that education, empathy, and action can lead to lasting social impact. With this in mind, I see the LEAF program as a meaningful opportunity to bridge the gap between students and professors, fostering connections that fuel both academic and personal growth."

-Zala Bhan '27

"My name is Sahmaya Busby. I am a rising senior at Columbia College double majoring in Drama and Theatre Arts and Political Science. My concentration is Directing, for which I will complete a senior thesis in Spring 2025. I am passionate about equity within artistic practice, which begins with equitable artistic education. I am excited about the opportunity to work with Professor Reagan on developing a course that approaches underrepresented and formerly untold artistic practices of Zora Neale Hurston and those inspired by her work. Utilizing the Center for Engaged Pedagogy’s approach to inclusive, student-involved educational practice will allow students to bring their experiences and perspectives to the forefront as we engage with artistic theory and practice."

-Sahmaya Busby '25

"My name is Ria and I am a rising sophomore double-majoring in English and philosophy. This May, I was given the opportunity to become a Learning, Assessment, and Engagement Fellow following a strong passion for fostering equitable pedagogical practices and shaping meaningful relationships between students and faculty. In my first year, I participated in the Dialogue and Difference community of practice which taught me that facilitation is not only a tool, but a fundamental life skill that brings complex individuals together to negotiate conflicts, set goals, and build trust. When forming pedagogical partnerships, having knowledge of facilitation is essential to address the existing power dynamics between faculty and students, and center underrepresented voices in dialogue. As an incoming LEAF, I am looking forward to helping instructors incorporate equitable practices in their classrooms and work actively toward a transformative learning experience at Barnard."

-Ria Dalal ‘27 
English and Philosophy major

“My name is Saniya and I am a senior majoring in Cognitive Science. I am excited to be a pedagogical partner for Hallucinations, Illusions, Dreaming, and Imagination, a seminar offered by Professor Iemi in the Neuroscience department. By pairing scholarly articles about hallucinations and related phenomena with multimedia materials featuring first-person accounts of those phenomena, we hope to promote critical thinking and insightful discussion about the real-world impact of neuroscience findings.”

-Saniya Gaitonde ‘25 
 

"Hi! My name is Mira Nayak and I am a sophomore on the pre-med track with intentions of becoming an OBGYN. I’m deeply passionate about facilitation and building spaces for dialogue. Last year I participated in the CEP/Athena Center Dialogue and Difference community of practice, in addition to starting my own initiative called Dinner and Dialogue. I am excited to start my journey as a LEAF and use an equity lens to build a more impactful classroom experience for students and professors alike."

-Mira Nayak ‘27 
 

"My name is Anagha and I am a sophomore interested in Medical Sociology and Health Equity. I am excited to use my skills from the Athena Center/CEP Dialogue and Difference Community of Practice to help faculty members facilitate complex connection and collaboration within their classrooms. Through pedagogical partnerships, I hope to make the classroom a space for students to actively challenge their preconceptions and come together to find new paths forward."

-Anagha Rajesh '27

"Hi! My name is Hannah Ramsey, and I am a first-generation senior at Barnard double-majoring in Neuroscience and Narrative Medicine. In Summer 2023, I was fortunate enough to join the LEAF program’s second cohort and partake in an insightful four weeks of collaborative workshops on assessment bias and ethical considerations in learning assessment practices. Since last summer, I have remained a LEAF at the CEP, working alongside my peers to support the fostering of communication and connection between students and faculty, primarily through co-facilitating mid-semester sessions and forming pedagogical partnerships with instructors. From my experience as both a student and LEAF, I have found that forming these meaningful connections becomes most possible when mutual trust and a sense of belonging are cultivated in the classroom, where every member feels their voice matters and is included. As I embark into my second year as a LEAF, I hope to use the skills and knowledge I have acquired to continue supporting the program’s mission of creating sustainable, positive change in the cultures of learning and teaching at Barnard."

-Hannah Ramsey '25
English & Neuroscience major, Educational Studies minor

"My name is Elisabeth and I am a senior studying Political Science and Human Rights. Last year I was able to complete the Athena Center and CEP's Dialogue and Difference Community of Practice, which gave me the skills necessary to bring people together to talk about difficult topics and generate solutions. As a LEAF, I am excited to facilitate dialogue between students and faculty in order to make the classroom a more equitable, engaged, and constructive space for all."

-Elisabeth Schmeissner '25
Political Science and Human Rights major

"Hi, I'm Iman Shah, a rising senior at Barnard College and a dual BA/MA candidate at SIPA. I'm excited to be a part of the Learning, Engagement & Assessment Fellows (LEAFs) program this year. I find the intersection of pedagogy and student engagement deeply enriching and believe it creates a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship. The opportunity to collaborate with instructors on refining assignments and lesson plans allows me to bridge the gap between student experiences and teaching methodologies.

I'm particularly passionate about facilitating insightful conversations and offering constructive feedback, as I believe these efforts contribute to a more inclusive and effective learning environment. The skills and insights I gain through this program will be invaluable in my future career, where I aspire to work in policy analysis and educational program development. The LEAFs program offers a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of educational assessment, which I aim to leverage in driving meaningful change both during my time at Barnard and in my professional journey beyond."

-Iman Shah ‘25 

"Hello, My name is Mariam Sikiru. I am a senior majoring in Religion with double minors in Educational Studies and Political Science. As a first-generation low-income student, I have experienced the impact of the hidden curriculum and lack of equitable assessment in the classroom. Being a LEAF gives me the ability to be of service to students, making the classroom a more equitable environment for their learning. As LEAF's we pride ourselves in building connections between professors and students through various services that promote the implementation of pedagogical practices for a more cohesive learning space. Throughout the previous year, we have successfully achieved this, and as we move forward with our program, we eagerly anticipate what the future holds."

-Mariam Sikiru ‘25 
Religion major, Educational Studies & Political Science minor

"I am a May 2023 graduate of Barnard College and currently serve as the Post Baccalaureate Fellow in the Center for Engaged Pedagogy. My journey with the CEP's Student Learning Assessment Community began in Summer 2022 when I was intrigued by the potential for student voices to drive curriculum innovation for greater equity. During my time as a Learning, Engagement & Assessment Fellow the following year, I had the privilege to collaborate with my colleagues in the CEP to develop and facilitate mid-semester feedback sessions. I have a strong passion for designing and conducting ethical qualitative research in the social sciences, and currently lead a team of LEAFs who are analyzing focus group data for a curricular assessment project."

-Alexa Easter '23
Psychology major, French minor

"My name is Allyce and I am a junior majoring in computer science. As an international student with little knowledge about the U.S tertiary education system, I often found myself feeling setback due to what I know now as the hidden curriculum. From that experience, my personal goal as a LEAF would be to not only improve the teaching relationship between faculty and students, but to shed light upon important aspects of learning such as the hidden curriculum with the overall goal being to improve access within the classroom."

-Allyce Chung ‘25 
Computer Science major, Economics minor

"Hi! My name is Nayma and I am a junior majoring in computer science, with a minor in economics. I joined the Student Learning Assessment Community with a strong desire to actively contribute to shaping an equitable and supportive learning environment. As a first-generation college student, I am eager to collaborate with faculty members and foster an environment where diverse voices are heard and considered in the educational process. I look forward to delving into data to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying patterns and help guide decision-making within classrooms to drive positive outcomes."

-Mst Nayma ‘25 
Computer Science Major, Economics minor