The end of the academic year at Barnard is always a time for celebrating the hard work of graduating seniors, who will be cheered on by family and friends as they walk across Radio City Music Hall’s iconic stage for Commencement. In this “Countdown to Commencement” mini-series, seniors share how they have grown during their time on campus, the tight bonds they’ve built with their peers and faculty, and some of their most memorable moments as scholars at New York City’s most illustrious women’s college.
When Pippa Tsuki Carlson ’25, a San Franciscan native, came to Barnard, she was unsure of what to expect but excited to sample everything the College had to offer. Unsurprisingly, Carlson hit the ground running on day one and never stopped moving, literally — including finishing the New York City Marathon in 2023. She also spent her junior year studying abroad in Kyoto, Japan, an experience that Carlson says allowed her to “connect with my heritage, sharpen my language skills, and eat incredible food every day.” Back in New York, she spent senior year as senior staff photographer for the Columbia Spectator, where she’s been a photographer since her first year. For her senior thesis project, Carlson switched mediums and conducted ethnographic research on two bodegas near campus that turned into a narrative podcast.
Barnard felt like a space that would propel me to grow with a built-in safety net.
New York and sharpen her skills as a narrative storyteller and journalist. She was a Speaking Fellow, a participating member in Columbia’s Mixed Heritage Society, and competed with Columbia’s Women’s Soccer club. She also co-produced a podcast for the NPR College Podcast Challenge and participated in the Athena Center for Leadership’s Tough Talks, a program that teaches students strategies for how to engage in productive and challenging dialogue. No wonder she describes college as being “fast-paced and just packed!”
Below, Carlson slows down long enough to share some of the lessons she learned as a student — including ones she will carry into her future.
Why Barnard?
Ironically, I didn’t envision myself at a women’s college. I’d spent both middle and high school at a girls’ school and thought I was ready for something different. But when the time came, Barnard stood out as unique. I was excited by the idea of living in New York City — I grew up appreciating the diversity, bustle, and creativity of urban spaces. Surely, that influenced my choice of an urban studies major and wanting to be surrounded by that energy in college. At the same time, I really valued the community that comes with a close-knit campus. At age 17, Barnard felt like a space that would propel me to grow with a built-in safety net.
Academic Highlights
Turning in my senior thesis was one of my proudest moments at Barnard. I wrote about bodegas in New York City and their role in neighborhoods and communities regarding safety and security. As part of this thesis, I produced a narrative podcast. Working with two bodegas near campus, I conducted ethnographic research to observe the daily behaviors and interactions in the space. I also did interviews with bodega owners, employees, and customers to highlight their voices in the podcast. This thesis was a culmination of a lot of interests and knowledge that I acquired from different courses throughout my Barnard career, and the product was really a labor of love. Writing it was proof to myself of my growth — both academic and personal — in my four years here. It was incredibly fulfilling to create a product that showcased that growth.
Where to Hang Out
I always used to be on the first floor of Milstein — my friends knew they could find me there in the mornings, since that’s where I would be studying for my daily quizzes in Japanese class. I love this spot because running into friends spontaneously and getting caught up in conversations while doing my work reminds me of my community. These days, as the weather has warmed up, I’m outside on Futter Field. And when I want to get off campus, I love to stroll in Riverside with friends and debrief all that’s going on in our lives.
To the Class of 2029
Be patient. I think there’s a common feeling that you enter college and everyone around you already has it figured out, whether it is academically, career-wise, or socially. That isn’t [always] true, but it can be hard to see in the moment. I didn’t have an internship after my freshman year. I didn’t declare my major until my sophomore year. I hadn’t met one of my very best friends until junior year. But everything that happens before sets you up for those milestones when things click into place. Being patient means staying your course without comparison to others — it means trying new things, putting yourself out there authentically, and seeing what sticks.