Community Assistants
Our Community Assistants (CAs) at Teachers College, Columbia University drive the creation of an exceptional residential experience for our residents. They play a crucial role in fostering academic, social, and personal growth within our vibrant community. Our CAs organize exciting events, promote community growth, and provide unwavering support during challenging times. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with our CAs through their brief bios below, and feel free to contact them for any assistance or questions you may have.
If you're interested in joining our team, we invite you to learn more about the application process.
Bancroft Hall
Jas Leiser is a Ph.D. student in the Social Studies Education program at Teachers College, studying ways to increase the joy and sense of belonging that students feel in the classroom. She has a keen interest in curriculum, pedagogy, social-emotional learning and project based learning. Jas is a former special education and social studies teacher. She is a part of the New York City Civil Rights History Project (NYCCRHP) team, whose work focuses on designing culturally sustaining lessons to increase equity in the classroom. Jas’ work with NYCCRHP celebrates disability history in New York, focusing on the importance of belonging in young people. Jas holds a M.A. in Teaching of Social Studies from Teachers College Columbia University, an Advanced Certificate in Special Education from Hunter College, and a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley. Outside of graduate studies, Jas enjoys: exploring bookstores, finding new coffee shops, learning how to crochet, baking bread, playing board games, listening audiobooks, and reading poetry!
Icon Email: jl5177@tc.columbia.edu
Jas Leiser is a Ph.D. student in the Social Studies Education program at Teachers College, studying ways to increase the joy and sense of belonging that students feel in the classroom. She has a keen interest in curriculum, pedagogy, social-emotional learning and project based learning. Jas is a former special education and social studies teacher. She is a part of the New York City Civil Rights History Project (NYCCRHP) team, whose work focuses on designing culturally sustaining lessons to increase equity in the classroom. Jas’ work with NYCCRHP celebrates disability history in New York, focusing on the importance of belonging in young people. Jas holds a M.A. in Teaching of Social Studies from Teachers College Columbia University, an Advanced Certificate in Special Education from Hunter College, and a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley. Outside of graduate studies, Jas enjoys: exploring bookstores, finding new coffee shops, learning how to crochet, baking bread, playing board games, listening audiobooks, and reading poetry!
Icon Email: jl5177@tc.columbia.edu
Roopal Krishna (she/her/hers) is a master’s student in the Social-Organizational Psychology Program. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, followed by MBA with specialization in Human Resource Management from International Management Institute, New Delhi. Before joining TC, Roopal was a leadership consultant, working with clients across sectors and geographies on helping them craft winning leadership strategies. She has worked with DDI, Aon and EY. Roopal has been a Bancroft resident since Fall ’23 and is joined by her son Revant Khanduri. Exploring fun parks and museums in NYC are their favorite pastime. Roopal is humbled to serve the TC residential community in the capacity of Community Assistant and intends to make residential life safe, smooth, and super fun!
Icon Email: rk3270@tc.columbia.edu
Roopal Krishna (she/her/hers) is a master’s student in the Social-Organizational Psychology Program. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, followed by MBA with specialization in Human Resource Management from International Management Institute, New Delhi. Before joining TC, Roopal was a leadership consultant, working with clients across sectors and geographies on helping them craft winning leadership strategies. She has worked with DDI, Aon and EY. Roopal has been a Bancroft resident since Fall ’23 and is joined by her son Revant Khanduri. Exploring fun parks and museums in NYC are their favorite pastime. Roopal is humbled to serve the TC residential community in the capacity of Community Assistant and intends to make residential life safe, smooth, and super fun!
Icon Email: rk3270@tc.columbia.edu
Grant and Sarasota Halls
Soobin is a second-year in the Mental Health Counseling program at Teachers College. She was born in South Korea but grew up internationally, mostly in different countries in Europe. She graduated from the University of Amsterdam with a BSc in Psychology. Her research interest lies in parenting and child mental health. As a Community Assistant, Soobin aims to foster a welcoming and warm environment where residents can feel truly at home. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, and attending concerts! Soobin is excited to serve as a Community Assistant and looks forward to being a valuable resource for all residents!
Icon Email: sj3238@tc.columbia.edu
Soobin is a second-year in the Mental Health Counseling program at Teachers College. She was born in South Korea but grew up internationally, mostly in different countries in Europe. She graduated from the University of Amsterdam with a BSc in Psychology. Her research interest lies in parenting and child mental health. As a Community Assistant, Soobin aims to foster a welcoming and warm environment where residents can feel truly at home. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, and attending concerts! Soobin is excited to serve as a Community Assistant and looks forward to being a valuable resource for all residents!
Icon Email: sj3238@tc.columbia.edu
New Residence Hall
Sarina Alavi is a 2023 graduate of TC’s Clinical Psychology MA program and a current PhD student in the School Psychology program. Sarina is Persian-American, speaking both Farsi and Spanish, and she grew up in Northern Nevada and Southern California. She completed a Bachelors in Psychology and a Bachelors in Education at University of California, Riverside, and she completed part of her undergraduate education at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Sarina is passionate about bridging research, practice, and policy to advance systems-based interventions to support the wellness and success of children and families of at-risk populations. In her free time, Sarina loves to enjoy fine arts and nature with her loved ones, and she loves to travel.
Icon Email: sha2141@tc.columbia.edu
Sarina Alavi is a 2023 graduate of TC’s Clinical Psychology MA program and a current PhD student in the School Psychology program. Sarina is Persian-American, speaking both Farsi and Spanish, and she grew up in Northern Nevada and Southern California. She completed a Bachelors in Psychology and a Bachelors in Education at University of California, Riverside, and she completed part of her undergraduate education at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Sarina is passionate about bridging research, practice, and policy to advance systems-based interventions to support the wellness and success of children and families of at-risk populations. In her free time, Sarina loves to enjoy fine arts and nature with her loved ones, and she loves to travel.
Icon Email: sha2141@tc.columbia.edu
Vik Joshi (he/him) - from Mumbai, India - is a doctoral student in the Philosophy and Education Program at Columbia University (Teachers College). He is a member of the International Interfaith Research Lab, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, and serves as the Director of Research and Strategic Partnerships at Reimagine Resilience and Project Belonging - two programs funded by the Center of Prevention, Programs and Partnerships (Department of Homeland Security) that support Educators, Educational Staff, and Middle- and High-School students in countering Educational Displacement, Othering, Radicalization, and Targeted Violence through Professional Development and Innovative Programming. He has served as part of the faculty of a College-in-Prison program (working in Maximum and Medium-Security Prisons in Up-State New York). He has held fellowships at the Center for Justice (Columbia University) and was an inaugural fellow at Mr. Harry Belafonte's The Gathering for Justice. He is currently completing a manuscript, upon request, of the life of Justus Rosenberg, a spy in the French Resistance during the Second World War. Vik is deeply humbled and honoured to begin another year serving as a Community Assistant with the values of social connectedness, empathy, and mutual respect as foundational to his work within the Office of Residential Services.
Icon Email: vhj2103@tc.columbia.edu
Vik Joshi (he/him) - from Mumbai, India - is a doctoral student in the Philosophy and Education Program at Columbia University (Teachers College). He is a member of the International Interfaith Research Lab, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, and serves as the Director of Research and Strategic Partnerships at Reimagine Resilience and Project Belonging - two programs funded by the Center of Prevention, Programs and Partnerships (Department of Homeland Security) that support Educators, Educational Staff, and Middle- and High-School students in countering Educational Displacement, Othering, Radicalization, and Targeted Violence through Professional Development and Innovative Programming. He has served as part of the faculty of a College-in-Prison program (working in Maximum and Medium-Security Prisons in Up-State New York). He has held fellowships at the Center for Justice (Columbia University) and was an inaugural fellow at Mr. Harry Belafonte's The Gathering for Justice. He is currently completing a manuscript, upon request, of the life of Justus Rosenberg, a spy in the French Resistance during the Second World War. Vik is deeply humbled and honoured to begin another year serving as a Community Assistant with the values of social connectedness, empathy, and mutual respect as foundational to his work within the Office of Residential Services.
Icon Email: vhj2103@tc.columbia.edu
Whittier Hall
Cindy Asencio Arroyo (she/her/ella) is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program. She earned her Ed.M. from Teachers College in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Bilingual Latinx Mental Health. Before deciding to return to TC and pursue her doctoral studies, she worked as a full-time bilingual therapist in a community mental health clinic in Brooklyn. Cindy’s general research area focuses on critical psychology, with interests in non-conventional research methodolgies, epistemology, social inclusion/exclusion, and Whiteness in psychological practice. As a research team member of IncLab, under the leadership of Dr. Laura Smith, she has had the opportunity to present on the Feature Stage at the 2023 Amercian Psychological Association convention. In her free time, Cindy tries to be intentional about engaging in valued self-care, which for her looks like trying new desserts, thrifting with friends, finding the best cup of Earl Grey in the city, reading non-fiction, spending time with her family in New Jersey, and logging movies on her Letterboxd account. Cindy is humbled and excited to continue her work as a Community Assistant. She hopes that her passion for serving others, supported by her counseling training and skills, will cultivate a safe and spirited community.
Icon Email: cwa2120@tc.columbia.edu
Cindy Asencio Arroyo (she/her/ella) is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program. She earned her Ed.M. from Teachers College in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Bilingual Latinx Mental Health. Before deciding to return to TC and pursue her doctoral studies, she worked as a full-time bilingual therapist in a community mental health clinic in Brooklyn. Cindy’s general research area focuses on critical psychology, with interests in non-conventional research methodolgies, epistemology, social inclusion/exclusion, and Whiteness in psychological practice. As a research team member of IncLab, under the leadership of Dr. Laura Smith, she has had the opportunity to present on the Feature Stage at the 2023 Amercian Psychological Association convention. In her free time, Cindy tries to be intentional about engaging in valued self-care, which for her looks like trying new desserts, thrifting with friends, finding the best cup of Earl Grey in the city, reading non-fiction, spending time with her family in New Jersey, and logging movies on her Letterboxd account. Cindy is humbled and excited to continue her work as a Community Assistant. She hopes that her passion for serving others, supported by her counseling training and skills, will cultivate a safe and spirited community.
Icon Email: cwa2120@tc.columbia.edu
Edith Middleton is pursuing her Ph.D. in English Education with research focus on teacher education, mentorship, and wellness. She was adopted from a Transylvanian orphanage at the age of eleven and grew up traveling the world. For Edith, education is not only a lifelong passion, but the beacon that guides every aspect of her life. When her nose is not in a book, Edith loves to be active; she is especially fond of pilates, kitesurfing, wingfoiling, skiing, biking, swimming, surfing with her service dog Hemingway (yes, he surfs), and spending time with her beloved two daughters. Edith is humbled and honored to serve the TC residential community and looking forward to connecting and building community.
Icon Email: epm2133@tc.columbia.edu
Edith Middleton is pursuing her Ph.D. in English Education with research focus on teacher education, mentorship, and wellness. She was adopted from a Transylvanian orphanage at the age of eleven and grew up traveling the world. For Edith, education is not only a lifelong passion, but the beacon that guides every aspect of her life. When her nose is not in a book, Edith loves to be active; she is especially fond of pilates, kitesurfing, wingfoiling, skiing, biking, swimming, surfing with her service dog Hemingway (yes, he surfs), and spending time with her beloved two daughters. Edith is humbled and honored to serve the TC residential community and looking forward to connecting and building community.
Icon Email: epm2133@tc.columbia.edu
Niklas (he/him/his) is a second-year Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology: Psychology in Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Niklas was raised in Stockholm, Sweden, in a multicultural household, including his Swedish father, Japanese mother, and two younger sisters. Before attending Teachers College, Niklas graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Keiser University, where he also spent a large part of his time in the swimming pool as he was the previous team captain for the Men’s Swimming Team. With Niklas’ diverse background and leadership experiences, his research interests focus on studying character strengths and the variables that promote people to flourish. In his leisure time, Niklas practices with Columbia Triathlon, plays video games, or is having the time of his life trying out new recipes in the kitchen. It is a great honor to be serving as a Community Assistant for Niklas, and he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, flourishing, and grateful environment for all residents. With his dedication and passion, Niklas strives to make a positive impact on the community and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.
Icon Email: nkn2110@tc.columbia.edu
Niklas (he/him/his) is a second-year Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology: Psychology in Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Niklas was raised in Stockholm, Sweden, in a multicultural household, including his Swedish father, Japanese mother, and two younger sisters. Before attending Teachers College, Niklas graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Keiser University, where he also spent a large part of his time in the swimming pool as he was the previous team captain for the Men’s Swimming Team. With Niklas’ diverse background and leadership experiences, his research interests focus on studying character strengths and the variables that promote people to flourish. In his leisure time, Niklas practices with Columbia Triathlon, plays video games, or is having the time of his life trying out new recipes in the kitchen. It is a great honor to be serving as a Community Assistant for Niklas, and he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, flourishing, and grateful environment for all residents. With his dedication and passion, Niklas strives to make a positive impact on the community and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.
Icon Email: nkn2110@tc.columbia.edu