Meet The Senior Interviewers
Name: Allya Elgayar ’21
Major: Medical Anthropology
4+1 Program: MSPH Pathway in Public Health – Sociomedical Sciences
Hometown: Miami Beach, FL
High School: Phillips Exeter Academy
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Journal of Global Health, Columbia Women’s Rowing, Lab Assistant at Barnard Biology Lab, Project Researcher for “The View from Ginling” Barnard Digital Archive, Research Assistant at Columbia Department of Psychology
“Barnard drew me in specifically because of its small, community-oriented campus and student body, which was tight-knit despite, or possibly because of, its location in a sprawling city.”
Name: Anna Kohlasch ’22
Major: History
Minor and Program: Political Science minor, Athena Scholars Program
Hometown: Lexington, MA
High School: Lexington High School
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Running Club, Peer Tutor, Resident Assistant, Office Assistant at Barnard Residential Life
“Though they have many distinct backgrounds and interests, Barnard students are incredibly accepting, kind, and empathetic.”
Name: Anya Murphy ’22
Major: History
Track and Program: Pre-Health track, Athena Scholars Program
Hometown: Toronto, ON, Canada
High School: Bishop Strachan School
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Bhangra, Sigma Delta Tau, Peer-to-Peer Mentor and Tutor
“Barnard’s community is filled with driven and tenacious students. This means that students are hungry for the opportunity to be challenged and to learn, resulting in a community that pushes each other to continue growing.”
Name: Ella Weiner ’22
Major: Psychology & Yiddish Studies
Hometown: Washington, DC
High School: School Without Walls
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Bach Society, Rare Candy
“New York City has its own history and culture that can be totally incorporated to almost any field of study, and the city itself becomes your classroom in a way that is very special.”
Name: Gabriela Enciso ’22
Major: Art History
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
High School: Harvard-Westlake School
Activities at Barnard: Artists Reaching Out, Barnard Babysitting, Barnard Zine Club, Hi Fi Snock Uptown, King’s Crown Shakespeare Troupe, Meet Me At The Museum, Mujeres, Rare Candy, WBAR, Student Assistant for Development & Alumnae Relations
“One of the college’s greatest strengths is its ability to foster a diverse range of interests and activities, many of them unique and not exactly like anything you will see on most college campuses.”
Name: Gustie Owens ’22
Major: Urban Studies (Anthropology concentration)
Hometown: New York, NY
High School: Horace Mann School
Activities at Barnard: Artists Reaching Out, Butler Banner Project, Columbia Federalist, ColumbiaVotes, Empirical Reasoning Center Fellow, NSOP, Roosevelt Human Rights Center, Student Library Advisory Committee, Anthropology Department Field School Student
“Without a doubt, you could have the most fascinating conversation with every single person at Barnard. Everyone’s wonderful and often niche interests manifest in an incredibly supportive environment.”
Name: Isabel Ocampo ’22
Majors: Spanish and Latin American Cultures
Minor: Political Science
Hometown: Mukwonago, WI
High School: Mukwonago High School
Activities at Barnard: Amnesty International, Barnard Babysitting, Mixed Heritage Society, Mujeres
“I have been challenged more by my peers than my professors in many cases, and no matter our differences, I still feel an overwhelming sense of support and community on campus.”
Name: Lucia Paz ’22
Major: Urban Studies (Education specialization)
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
High School: Brooklyn Technical High School
Activities at Barnard: BOSS, Caribbean Student Association, Resident Assistant, Student Assistant for Alumnae Relations, Child Care Assistant at Tompkins Hall Childcare Center
“College affords you a new level of independence and NYC is one of the best places to explore your newfound autonomy.”
Name: Maya Corral ’22
Major: American Studies (Public Health concentration), French and Francophone Studies
Program: Athena Scholars Program
Hometown: Eugene, OR
High School: South Eugene High School
Activities at Barnard: Planned Parenthood Generation Action, SGA Student Health Committee, Students for Pregnant People, Take Back The Night
“Barnard is a place where you not only grow as a student but also as a person.”
Name: Posey Cohen ’22
Major: Sociology
Minors: Education Studies, Psychology Hometown: Evanston, IL
High School: Evanston Township High School
Activities at Barnard: Hoot Magazine, Kappa Alpha Theta, Latenite Theatre, Matriculate, Orchesis, Research Assistant at Barnard’s Social Psychology Lab
“To me, a Barnard student represents academic, social, and emotional curiosity. They want to explore every nook and cranny of campus and every alley and sidewalk in New York City. A Barnard student comes into the College with a unique perspective on the world, but not a closed minded one.”
Name: Priscilla Kong ’22
Major: Psychology
Hometown: San Ramon, CA
High School: Dougherty Valley High School
Activities at Barnard: Access Barnard Peer Mentor, Christian Union Lumine, Orchesis, TA, Student Assistant for Events Management, Cognitive Psychology Research Assistant
“Being a college student in NYC reminds us that life is about more than spending all day in the library and trying to ace all our classes. Rather, some of the most memorable and valuable parts of our college experiences are the relationships we build and the memories we make, both on campus and out in the city.”
Name: Sarah Tessone ’22
Major: Psychology & Jewish Studies
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
High School: Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School
Activities at Barnard: Access Barnard Peer Mentor, Aryeh, McAC Wellness Committee, Speaking Fellow, Bartender Manager at Beyond Barnard
“At Barnard, there is an environment of genuine intellectual curiosity that runs through the campus in the classes and in the social life.”
Name: Tali Goldman ’22
Major: Urban Studies (Anthropology concentration)
Hometown: Rhinebeck, NY
High School: Rhinebeck High School
Activities at Barnard: Control Top Improv, Jewish Voice for Peace, NSOP Committee, WBAR, Technician at Barnard IMATS
“Barnard is intellectually rigorous; I’ve felt stimulated and challenged by my peers and professors but collaboration is welcomed and there are many resources available for when I’ve needed academic help.”
Name: Sam Azanza ’22
Major: Architecture
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
High School: St. Pedro Poveda College
Activities at Barnard: Architecture Society, Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Bwog, Liga Filapina, Ultimate Frisbee, WBAR, Office Assistant at Being Barnard
“One thing I noticed when I entered Barnard was the intellectual capability of every single one of my colleagues. Because over 70% of Barnard classes have 19 students or fewer, intimate discussions with classmates have shown me the academic determination of Barnard students and their drive to hone individual skills and interests.”
Name: Sarah Beck ’22
Major: Medical Anthropology
Minor and Program: Dance minor, Athena Scholars Program
Hometown: Highland Park, IL
High School: Highland Park High School
Activities at Barnard: Hillel, Orchesis, Raw Elementz
“A Barnard student is one that loves to learn, collaborates with their peers, and challenges themselves to broaden their perspective.”