Meet Our Tour Guides
Barnard Student Admissions Representatives (BSARs) are current Barnard students who lead campus tours and assist in the Office of Admissions. Find out more about them below!
Tirzah Anderson ’21 (Head BSAR) “My favorite thing about Barnard is the opportunities students have to work with administration and transform the Barnard community.”
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
High School: Bartram Trail High School
Major: History
Minor: Religion
Activities at Barnard: Student Government Association, Native American Council, Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Residential Advisor, BOSS
Fun Fact: I make homemade soap!
Sarah Beck ’22 “No other school offers what Barnard does: a small liberal arts college dedicated to the advancement of women while connected to a major research university in New York City. Barnard exceeds all standards.”
Hometown: Highland Park, Illinois
High School: Highland Park High School
Major: Medical Anthropology
Minor: Dance
Activities at Barnard: Raw Elementz, Orchesis, Hillel
Fun Fact: I took a gap year to backpack Southeast Asia and Europe and work for a women’s foundation in Tanzania.
Alyx Bernstein ’23 “My favorite thing about Barnard is the passionate, thoughtful, and kind community at Barnard.”
Hometown: New Rochelle, New York & London, England
High School: The Leffell School
Prospective Majors: Comparative Literature, Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies
Activities at Barnard: Columbia/Barnard Hillel, Columbia Current
Fun Fact: I met Alyssa Naeher's mom at a soccer game once.
Maya Corral ’22 “My favorite thing about Barnard is its community. It doesn't matter where you are in the world; you know you'll always find support and compassion from your peers, professors, faculty, and alumni at Barnard.”
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
High School: South Eugene High School
Majors: American Studies and French & Francophone Studies
Activities at Barnard: Take Back the Night, Barnard Babysitting
Fun Fact: I was stung by a jellyfish the first time I swam in the Atlantic Ocean!
Mariel Correa-Maynard ’22 “My favorite thing is the sense of community, love and care shown all throughout campus.”
Hometown: West Hartford, Connecticut
High School: Hall High School
Major: Biology (Physiology & Organismal)
Activities at Barnard: Mujeres, BOSS, Youth For Debate, Sprout Up
Fun Fact: My sister and I went to Barnard at the same time!
Estee Dechtman ’22 “Each class and every major at Barnard pushes us to ask ourselves how we can use the subjects we are learning to make a positive impact on the world around us, and that is my favorite thing about Barnard.”
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
High School: Denver School of the Arts
Major: Theatre
Minor: Political Science
Activities at Barnard: Student Council for the Arts (President), The Varsity Show, The Columbia University Performing Arts League (Vice President), Columbia Musical Theatre Society, The Columbia University Players, Sigma Delta Tau (Head of Fundraising and Standards Board), Columbia Barnard Hillel.
Fun Fact: I have a fabulous Barbra Streisand record collection!
Maia Donald ’23 “I chose Barnard because I knew it would challenge me intellectually all four years I am here.”
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
High School: East Chapel Hill High School
Prospective Major: Urban History
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Women and Gender Diverse Ultimate Frisbee, Housing Equity Project, WBAR
Fun Fact: Back home in Chapel Hill, I raise chickens.
Defne Egbo ’23 “My favourite thing about Barnard is feeling empowered by a warm community that consistently pushes the boundaries for what is possible.”
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
High School: The Thacher School (Ojai, CA)
Prospective Major: Education, Francophone Studies
Activities at Barnard: Speaking Fellows, Black Theatre Ensemble, Education Research
Fun Fact: I went to elementary school in three different countries!
Erin Ergun ’21 “Barnard had exactly what I was looking for: a strong community that was passionate and welcoming within both a larger university and a city full of opportunity.”
Hometown: Leesburg, Virginia
High School: Tuscarora High School
Major: Architecture
Minor: Anthropology
Activities at Barnard: NOMADS, Young Storytellers, Orchesis
Fun Fact: My first language was Turkish and my entire family is from Turkey.
Lucy Fitzpatrick ’22 “I love Barnard’s small college feel of a close-knit community and intimate classes, but also having access to the resources and opportunities of a large institution through its relationship with Columbia; it’s the best of both worlds!”
Hometown: Chappaqua, New York
High School: Horace Greeley High School
Major: History
Minor: Psychology
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Relay for Life, Barnard Clay Collective, McAC Network Committee, Christian Union Lumine, Columbia Taiko
Fun Fact: I am a certified elephant handler!
Michaela Flum ’21 “I was looking for an environment that would challenge and support me. Barnard seemed like just that place! I have grown here personally, professionally, academically, and socially.”
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
High School: The Northwest School
Majors: Political Science and History
Activities at Barnard: Rock climbing club, Jewish Voices for Peace, BSAR, Peer Health Exchange
Fun Fact: I know more than 40 types of knots!
Ellie George ’23 “Being surrounded by such an inspiring group of diverse women reminds me that I am capable of anything I put my mind to, and I don’t have to change myself or my identity to achieve it.”
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
High School: Wilson High School
Prospective Major: Architecture
Activities at Barnard: NOMADS (New and Original Material Authored and Directed by Students), King's Crown Shakespeare Troupe, SproutUp, Barnard Babysitting
Fun Fact: I am a certified referee by U.S. Soccer!
Madison Guzy ’23 “My favorite thing about Barnard is the empowering community of women and professors that challenges our thinking and celebrates our differences.”
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
High School: St. Joseph's Academy
Prospective Major: English
Prospective Minor: Environmental Science
Activities at Barnard: Delta Kappa Alpha Professional Cinematic Fraternity, Barnard Bulletin Staff Writer, MidWave Magazine Copy Editor, Columbia/Barnard Flip the Senate
Fun Fact: I have red hair and blue eyes: the rarest genetic combination.
Alex Haddad ’21 (Head BSAR) “My favorite thing about Barnard changes all the time, but right now, I would have to say the community. It's impossible to generalize about Barnard students, but one thing they all have in common is passion, albeit for very different things. Learning alongside them is incredible.”
Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland
High School: Richard Montgomery High School
Major: Theatre
Activities at Barnard: Columbia University Players, Barnard Theatre Department, developing new work on & off campus
Fun Fact: I adopted a cat during quarantine - his name is Heibai.
Liz Hodgson ’22 “I love being surrounded by amazing people who are so passionate about making a difference in the world.”
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
High School: Northern Secondary
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Urban Teaching
Activities at Barnard: Peer Health Exchange, BioBus, Columbia Neuroscience Outreach, Peer Tutoring
Fun Fact: My favourite pasta shape is bow tie (farfalle).
Danielle Hopkins ’21 “My favorite thing about Barnard is everything I have learned from my friends, professors and staff members who are truly what makes Barnard special.”
Hometown: Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
High School: Martha's Vineyard Regional Highschool
Major: American History
Minor: Spanish and Latin American Studies
Activities at Barnard: Columbia University Black Theatre Ensemble, Speaking Fellow, Student Life/ NSOP, VP Finance of SGA
Fun Fact: I once had to eat raw pasta for a play 5 times in one weekend.
Adiba Hussain ’23 “My favorite thing about Barnard is definitely the community and palpable sense of empowerment that comes with being a Barnard student.”
Hometown: Bronx, New York
High School: High School of Economics and Finance
Majors: Computer Science and English
Activities at Barnard: Women in Computer Science, Superposition, McAC, Barnard OP/HEOP
Fun Fact: I am a first-generation college student.
Alison Kahn ’21 “I chose to attend Barnard because I wanted to access the best of all worlds as I could only do at Barnard -- and I was excited by the scope and depth of experiences that would be available to me at a top-notch liberal arts women’s college, within Columbia University, at the heart of New York City.”
Hometown: Chevy Chase, Maryland
High School: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
Majors: Political Science and Human Rights
Activities at Barnard: Cross-registration program with MSM, internship at New Sanctuary Coalition, GlobeMed at Columbia University, CIRCA/Model UN, Columbia Music Performance Program, student theatre
Fun Fact: I was once featured on the Ivy League Snap Story (remember Snapchat?) -- I was running across my dorm room, yodeling, with my pants pulled up over my head.
Rachel Krul ’23 “My favorite thing about Barnard is the amount of opportunities I have to learn from professors at the top of their fields, as well as Barnard's strong community.”
Hometown: Oswego, New York
High School: Christian Brothers Academy
Prospective Majors: Political Science and Human Rights
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Political Review, Columbia Women of Color Pre-Law Society
Fun Fact: In middle school I use to compete in competitive spelling bees.
Allie Lipshutz ’22 “Every student brings a new perspective to the table, and my professors have pushed me to think in ways in which I did not know I was capable of thinking; in this incredible community, I feel comfortable smiling at everyone I walk by, whether I know them or not!”
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
High School: Germantown Friends School
Major: Neuroscience and Behavior, Cellular Concentration
Minor: Chemistry
Activities at Barnard: Barnard Student Admissions Representative, Peer-to-Peer Tutoring, Neurodevelopment Research at the Columbia University Medical Campus, Columbia Science Review, Columbia/Barnard Hillel
Fun Fact: I take circus classes, specializing in aerials (rope, fabric, trapeze) and acrobatics (tumbling, handstands), but I also do some contortion. Bonus: I have managed to find two circus schools where I can practice within a 45-minute commute from Barnard!
Zuri Mabrey-Wakefield ’23 “I chose Barnard because its community draws so many incredible people from different places and contexts all over the world!”
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
High School: Francis W. Parker School
Prospective Major: Comparative Literature
Activities at Barnard: Barnard Organization of Soul and Solidarity (BOSS), Black Folx Unpacking (BFU)
Fun Fact: Though I am a proud Chicagoan and was raised in the city, I was actually born in Kalamazoo, Michigan!
Meghna Mallapan ’23 “My favorite thing about Barnard is the unconditional love and support the community here offers me.”
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
High School: Theodore Roosevelt High School
Prospective Major: Urban Studies (Public Health)
Prospective Minor: Chemistry
Activities at Barnard: Columbia University South Asian Feminism(s) Alliance, CU Women's Rugby, Barnard SGA, McAC, Barnard Biology Department Research Assistant
Fun Fact: I've gone to live tapings of Hasan Minaj's "Patriot Act"
Maya Martin ’22 “My favorite things about Barnard are Big Sub and Midnight Breakfast!”
Hometown: Argyle, Texas
High School: Guyer High School
Major: Economics
Activities at Barnard: Mock Trial, Columbia Law and Business Association, Smart Woman Securities
Fun Fact: I collect tiny boxes from everywhere I go
Daniela Miranda ’23 “I chose Barnard because from the minute I first stepped on campus and spoke to students, I realized how much I wanted to be like every person I encountered: impressive, passionate, cool, and insanely intelligent.”
Hometown: San Diego, California
High School: Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Prospective Majors: English, Theatre
Activities at Barnard: Chowdah Sketch Comedy, Rare Candy Magazine, Student Theatre
Fun Fact: I submitted writing samples when I applied to Barnard, one of which was a poem about forks (the fact I still got in made me certain Barnard was the right place for me).
Jessica Moreira ’22 “I love the tiny and welcoming community at Barnard! I also love how open and gentle the professors are at Barnard!”
Hometown: Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
High School: Colegio Embraer Juarez Wanderley
Major: Economics
Minor: Education
Activities at Barnard: ADDA, Christian Union, Athena Scholar.
Fun Fact: I love rice krispies! They are the best snack!
Anya Murphy ’22 “I love that everyone smiles at each other while walking through campus.”
Hometown: Toronto, ON, Canada
High School: Bishop Strachan School
Major: History
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Bhangra, Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, Athena Scholars Program, Peer Tutor
Fun Fact: I have super long name (5 names)!
Ramisa Murshed ’21 “My favorite thing about Barnard is that it gives me the opportunity to study STEM, specifically Computer Science, in a supportive, non-intimidating environment while having access to unlimited resources and opportunities.”
Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia
High School: Parkview High School
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Asian & Middle Eastern Cultures
Activities at Barnard: WBAR, Bwog, Computer Science Tutoring, Barnard Babysitting
Fun Fact: I like to translate videos from Korean to English in my free time.
Emily Ndiokho ’22 “In addition to the chosen family I've found, I love Barnard's ability to let everyone be themselves -- there are shared values, but there isn't a 'right' way to be a Barnard student.”
Hometown: Allen, Texas
High School: Phillips Academy Andover
Majors: Sociology and Educational Studies
Activities at Barnard: Student Government Association, Black Theatre Ensemble, Barnard Organization of Soul & Solidarity, and working at the Design Center and CEP
Fun Fact: I've taken almost every subway expect for 5, J, Z, and G!
Phuthu Nxumalo ’23 “My favorite thing about Barnard is the community of people I have surrounded myself with. I feel supported, empowered and seen in so many ways.”
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
High School: Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA
Prospective Major: Economics or Political Science
Prospective Minor: Africana Studies
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Women of Color Pre-Law Society, African Development Group, Barnard Organization of Soul and Solidarity (BOSS), Black Folx Unpacking
Fun Fact: I convinced my younger cousins that I was secretly married to Zac Efron after High School Musical 3 came out.
Isabel Ocampo ’21 “I chose Barnard because of the students' energy and sense of community that I instantly felt on campus when I toured, and I still feel that today!”
Hometown: Mukwonago, Wisconsin
High School: Mukwonago High School
Majors: Spanish & Latin American Cultures and Political Science
Activities at Barnard: Mixed Heritage Society, Amnesty International
Fun Fact: My most recent pet was a goldfish won at a fair named Frank who lived for over 5 years!
Cleo Payne ’21 “My favorite thing about Barnard is how many wonderful people I've been able to meet while attending!”
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
High School: Desert Mountain High School
Major: Archaeology
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Space Initiative
Fun Fact: My favorite childhood stuffed animal was a dog named Tape because I had a really weird obsession with Scotch Tape.
Audrey Pettit ’22 “I love that I learn as much from my peers as I do from my professors.”
Hometown: Missoula, Montana
High School: Loyola Sacred Heart High School
Major: English
Minors: Political Science and Philosophy
Activities at Barnard: Resident Assistant, Writing Fellow, BSAR, SGA Sophomore Class President, Columbia University Ballet Ensemble Repetiteur, Columbia Repertory Ballet Inwood Academic Tutoring President
Fun Fact: I have a cat named Caesar because he has the same nose as Julius Caesar!
Ari Shenkman ’23 “I chose to attend Barnard because it was the best of all worlds; a tight-knit, supportive college community, an overabundance of academic avenues and resources to explore, easy access to an exciting city full things to see and do, and a quiet campus oasis to come home to at the end of the day.”
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia
High School: HB Woodlawn Secondary Program
Prospective Major: Political Science
Activities at Barnard: Uptown Vocal A Cappella, Columbia Musical Theatre Society, Hillel, Athena Digital Design Agency
Fun Fact: I've met the original Jim Halpert -- the real person who The Office character was named after!
Chloe Siao ’23 “My favorite thing about Barnard is the strong, supportive community on campus and the accessibility to New York City!”
Hometown: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
High School: Dwight-Englewood
Prospective Major: Economics
Prospective Minor: Computer Science
Activities at Barnard: McIntosh Activities Council
Fun Fact: I was born in Hong Kong and moved to New Jersey when I was six!
Lily Sickles ’22 “My favorite thing about Barnard is the music community. I love being a DJ at WBAR, and I've made a lot of friends and had many great nights at concerts on campus.”
Hometown: South Orange, New Jersey
High School: Columbia High School
Major: English
Activities at Barnard: BSAR, WBAR radio, Columbia Spectator, CoLab Performing Arts
Fun Fact: I live with a cat named James.
Rebecca Soforenko ’23 “I fell in love with the community at Barnard and I felt like I found a place where I could be both empowered and challenged by those around me.”
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia
High School: Washington-Liberty High School
Major: History
Activities at Barnard: McIntosh Activities Council, XMAS!, Varsity Show, Columbia Swing Dance Club
Fun Fact: I've started to learn to whittle in my free time!
Hazel Streeter ’21 “I love that everyone at Barnard has such vastly different interests and backgrounds, and yet we all are very passionate about what we do here, in and outside of the classroom.”
Hometown: New York, New York
High School: Little Red Elisabeth Irwin High School
Majors: Sociology and Film Studies
Activities at Barnard: Chowdah Sketch Comedy, Third Wheel Comedy, Sprout Up, BSAR
Fun Fact: I grew up four blocks away from Barnard!
Zaynab Sulaiman ’23 “My favorite thing about Barnard has been the community of supportive, welcoming, and inspiring students and faculty I've found during my time here.”
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
High School: High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology
Activities at Barnard: Columbia Musical Theatre Society, Muslim Students Association, She's the First
Fun Fact: I love drawing, painting, and learning new art techniques whenever I can.
Elena Taeyaerts ’21 (Head BSAR) “I love the sense of community. The women at Barnard make me feel empowered, welcomed, and supported, while constantly challenged.”
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
High School: Lycee Francais de Chicago
Major: Political Science
Minor: Economics
Activities at Barnard: Club Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, Barnard Babysitting, Columbia Democrats, Peer Academic Menor, TA
Fun Fact: I went to the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania my sophomore year at Barnard. It was a total spontaneous decision and completely worth it! Feel free to ask me more about the experience.
Juliana Tapia ’23 “I fell in love with Barnard because it was everything I was looking for: a tight-knit community that empowers women with rigorous academics!”
Hometown: Belleville, New Jersey
High School: Lacordaire Academy
Prospective Major: Neuroscience & Behavior
Prospective Minor: Latin American Studies
Activities at Barnard: FLI Student Advisory Board, Charles Drew Premedical Society, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
Fun Fact: My favorite number is three!
Lindsey Weiskopf ’22 “I chose Barnard because I was extremely indecisive and Barnard gave me many options to define my academic path in a close-knit urban environment!”
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
High School: Park School of Baltimore
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Architecture and History
Activities at Barnard: ADI (Application Development Initiative), Math Mentors, Research
Fun Fact: I'm currently living on a farm in Central Pennsylvania.
Barbara Whitehurst ’22 “My favorite thing about Barnard is simply put, the amazing people that are apart of this community and that I’ve had the pleasure of forming lifelong connections with.”
Hometown: Summerfield, Florida
High School: Belleview High School
Major: Sociology
Minor: Education Studies
Activities at Barnard: Mujeres, Chicanx Caucus, SGA, CUWOCPLS
Fun Fact: I’ve been vegan for over 5 years and my favorite animals are cows and dogs!
Greta Wolfe ’23 “I chose Barnard because of its sense of community within the city of New York.”
Hometown: Putney, Vermont
High School: The Putney School
Major: Education
Minors: Psychology & Sociology
Activities at Barnard: Arthur Ross Greenhouse Worker, Barnard Prison Abolition Collective, Housing Equity Project (Columbia), Math Mentors (Columbia)
Fun Fact: I can juggle!
Nicole Yang ’23 “One thing I love about Barnard is having access to New York City's vast cultural and artistic resources, while also having a tightly knit community to go back to at the end of the day.”
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
High School: Miss Porter's School
Prospective Majors: Art History and Sociology
Prospective Minor: Education
Activities at Barnard: Meet Me at the Museum, Columbia Spectator (illustration team), Sigma Delta Tau sorority, BSAR, Korean Student Association
Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that by the time I graduate Barnard, I would've been attending an all women's institution for 8 years!
Anna Yokote ’23 “Being at Barnard has helped me discover how important a strong community of women, nonbinary, genderfluid, and trans individuals can be; it's given me confidence to explore new spaces and identities, apply to opportunities outside my comfort zone, and advocate for myself.”
Hometown: Hendersonville, North Carolina
High School: Hendersonville High School, The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Prospective Majors: Environment and Sustainability, Human Rights
Prospective Minor: Urban Teaching Track
Activities at Barnard: Education Studies Research Assistant, Tutor with Goddard Riverside and Reading Counts (off campus), Writing Fellow (in training), Camp Kesem, FLI, Mixed Heritage Society, Outdoors Club, Columbia Raas, First Year Food Swipes
Fun Fact: Growing up, I worked at a goat barn that is part of the National Parks system for 6 years!!
Morgan Zee ’22 “My favorite thing about Barnard is the people - the students I have met here are truly passionate, incredibly ambitious, and genuinely kind hearted.”
Hometown: Hong Kong
High School: Hong Kong International School/Kent School
Majors: Computer Science and Sociology
Activities at Barnard: Asian Youth Program, Girls Who Code, Orchesis, Design@Columbia, BarnardHCI Lab Student Researcher, BSAR
Fun Fact: When I was little, I was so afraid of clowns that I didn't attend my own birthday party because a clown showed up.