Class of 2019 Representative

Name: Grant Der Manouel 

Party: Blue Ivy

Bio: From sunny California, Grant Der Manouel is excited to run as a CC 2019 Class Rep! Grant currently serves on CCSC as a CC 2019 Class Representative. In addition, he works to improve campus and Morningside Heights as a member of the Barnard-Columbia Chapter of Design for America. In high school, Grant was a member of student council for all four years, serving as Student Body President during his Senior year. He also enjoyed playing tennis and was an active Eagle Scout. Grant would be honored to serve as a Class Representative of Columbia College 2019! VOTE BLUE IVY!

Platform: THE ‘WORK’ STUFF: CC ‘19 INTERVIEW PREP & RESUME REVIEW -We’ll make CCE more accessible by bringing counselors to dorm lounges on a regular basis for resume workshops and interview question practice. -We’ll host events in which upperclassmen assist CC ‘19 students with resume and cover letter revisions for a range of fields (e.g. finance, film, politics, etc.). SUMMER INTERNSHIP CONTACT INFO SPREADSHEET -We’ll create a spreadsheet in which CC seniors share employer contact info from their past internships. The spreadsheet will offer information that is not on Handshake! FREE CUSTOMIZED CC 2019 RESUME HOLDERS -Gotta look sharp for those internship interviews 😉 FREE BOOK DRIVE -CCSC 2019 will give free food and mementos to CC ‘19 students who donate in-demand textbooks (e.g. pre-Med, Computer Science, Core Curriculum, etc). These books will then be offered to CC ‘19 students FREE! THE ‘FUN’ STUFF: FREE SOUL CYCLE PASSES -Get off campus and get fit! BACCHANAL -We’ll hand out FREE Customized CC 2019 Bacchanal Fanny Packs filled with goodies. -We’ll organize a CC 2019 Bacchanal Prep Snack Event on the Friday before Bacchanal. ‘JUMPSTART JANUARY’ WELCOME BACK -An idea that evolved from the Wellness Roundtable on mental health – we want students to feel welcomed back from winter break! ‘Jumpstart January’ will include three days of free winter apparel (CC 2019 fuzzy socks), hot food (hot chocolate and donuts), and NSOP items (glow sticks and Kanye glasses)! GAME ROOMS IN SCHAPIRO AND BROADWAY LOUNGES -An idea that evolved from the Wellness Roundtable on mental health – we’ll advocate for dorm lounge game rooms that will include foosball, ping pong, and pool tables. THEMED TV EVENT SCREENINGS -Get hyped with friends during March Madness and The Oscars with the rest of CC ‘19! You’ll even receive prizes for winning predictions! FREE CC ‘19 APPAREL -To promote school spirit – CC 2019 collegiate banners, sunglasses, laptop stickers, bracelets, etc. SUBSIDIZED JUNIOR BOAT CRUISE FORMAL TICKETS -We’ll work to heavily subsidize tickets for all students, particularly low-income students, through the CCSC-run Student Events Fund. THE ‘YOU’ STUFF: BETTER ACCESSIBILITY TO CPS -We’ll work with administrators to set up an online system for booking CPS appointments – as of now, you can only book a CPS appointment over the phone. -We’ll run CPS events on a variety of topics to support student mental health. EARLIER RELEASE OF FINALS DATES -We’ll work with the Registrar to release finals dates earlier – we hope this will help de-stress students and allow you more time to figure out your winter break/summer plans! FREE CC ‘19 EXAM “CARE PACKAGES” DURING MIDTERMS AND FINALS DE-STRESSING EVENTS OUTSIDE BUTLER -Get out of Butler! A couple of times a semester, we’ll have events with food, puppies, free giveaways, massages, and music for CC ‘19 students! CC ‘19 MEMORY WALL -Add your favorite Columbia memory to the CC ‘19 memory wall and receive a free giveaway in return!


Name: George Jiang 

Party: A New Roar

Bio: George is a sophomore from New Jersey studying Computer Science and Financial Economics. On campus, he channels his passion for philanthropy as an Executive Board member in the Lion Credit Union, where he hopes to establish Columbia’s first ever student run credit union. Additionally, he is also involved with the Chinese Students Club and has hosted campus-wide events to spread Chinese culture to thousands of students. In his free time, George enjoys coding iPhone applications for the non-profit organization, Girls Who Code, hanging out with his brothers at Lambda Phi Epsilon and taking relaxing jogs along the Hudson River.

Platform: I believe in the importance of diversity and representation within student council in order to positively affect student life. Our team combines Columbia College students from diverse backgrounds and with varying interests in order to create a unit that is prepared to unify and enhance student life for CC 2019. We hope to do this by creating connections that will enhance and fortify the Columbia experience. I am an Executive Board member in the Lion Credit Union and, by working on and with student council, I hope to bring this resource to the greater Columbia community. We will also unite students by major, interests, and internships in a comprehensive forum; it will allow students with similar aspirations and post-grad goals to interact. We also hope to provide opportunities for collaboration between Columbia students and NYU students. We would also seek to protect and support initiatives on campus that support marginalized, or often forgotten, groups. We will advocate for an advisor and/or religious office for Muslim students. We will also support groups on campus that support and provide resources for survivors and victims of gender based violence. We also want to connect Columbia students to the Harlem community by improving social and environmental sustainability. Our team presents a student council with aims to put money back into the Harlem/Morningside community by supporting local vendors and directing Columbia students to their business. We would also aim for composting bins in Wein, Schapiro, and Broadway: the dorms that will have the largest junior population. With composting bins, CC 2019 reusable grocery bags, and water bottles, we plan on delivering efficient and effective methods of promoting sustainability within our community.


Name: George Jiang 

Party: A New Roar

Bio: George is a sophomore from New Jersey studying Computer Science and Financial Economics. On campus, he channels his passion for philanthropy as an Executive Board member in the Lion Credit Union, where he hopes to establish Columbia’s first ever student run credit union. Additionally, he is also involved with the Chinese Students Club and has hosted campus-wide events to spread Chinese culture to thousands of students. In his free time, George enjoys coding iPhone applications for the non-profit organization, Girls Who Code, hanging out with his brothers at Lambda Phi Epsilon and taking relaxing jogs along the Hudson River.

Platform: I believe in the importance of diversity and representation within student council in order to positively affect student life. Our team combines Columbia College students from diverse backgrounds and with varying interests in order to create a unit that is prepared to unify and enhance student life for CC 2019. We hope to do this by creating connections that will enhance and fortify the Columbia experience.
I am an Executive Board member in the Lion Credit Union and, by working on and with student council, I hope to bring this resource to the greater Columbia community. We will also unite students by major, interests, and internships in a comprehensive forum; it will allow students with similar aspirations and post-grad goals to interact. We also hope to provide opportunities for collaboration between Columbia students and NYU students.
We would also seek to protect and support initiatives on campus that support marginalized, or often forgotten, groups. We will advocate for an advisor and/or religious office for Muslim students. We will also support groups on campus that support and provide resources for survivors and victims of gender based violence.
We also want to connect Columbia students to the Harlem community by improving social and environmental sustainability. Our team presents a student council with aims to put money back into the Harlem/Morningside community by supporting local vendors and directing Columbia students to their business.
We would also aim for composting bins in Wein, Schapiro, and Broadway: the dorms that will have the largest junior population. With composting bins, CC 2019 reusable grocery bags, and water bottles, we plan on delivering efficient and effective methods of promoting sustainability within our community.


Name: Emma Gomez 

Party: Blue Ivy

Bio: Born in Guatemala and currently residing in a small town on the coast of North Carolina, Emma Gomez is excited to run as a CC 2019 Class Rep! At Columbia, she is the Biking Coordinator for the Columbia Outdoor Orientation Program (COOP) and an Energy and Environment Co-Center Director for the Roosevelt Institute. She also plays intramural soccer. In high school, Emma served as Student Body President and was captain of the Cross Country, Soccer, and Track teams. Emma would be honored to serve as a Class Representative of Columbia College 2019! VOTE BLUE IVY!

Platform: THE ‘WORK’ STUFF: CC ‘19 INTERVIEW PREP & RESUME REVIEW -We’ll make CCE more accessible by bringing counselors to dorm lounges on a regular basis for resume workshops and interview question practice. -We’ll host events in which upperclassmen assist CC ‘19 students with resume and cover letter revisions for a range of fields (e.g. finance, film, politics, etc.). SUMMER INTERNSHIP CONTACT INFO SPREADSHEET -We’ll create a spreadsheet in which CC seniors share employer contact info from their past internships. The spreadsheet will offer information that is not on Handshake! FREE CUSTOMIZED CC 2019 RESUME HOLDERS -Gotta look sharp for those internship interviews 😉 FREE BOOK DRIVE -CCSC 2019 will give free food and mementos to CC ‘19 students who donate in-demand textbooks (e.g. pre-Med, Computer Science, Core Curriculum, etc). These books will then be offered to CC ‘19 students FREE! THE ‘FUN’ STUFF: FREE SOUL CYCLE PASSES -Get off campus and get fit! BACCHANAL -We’ll hand out FREE Customized CC 2019 Bacchanal Fanny Packs filled with goodies. -We’ll organize a CC 2019 Bacchanal Prep Snack Event on the Friday before Bacchanal. ‘JUMPSTART JANUARY’ WELCOME BACK -An idea that evolved from the Wellness Roundtable on mental health – we want students to feel welcomed back from winter break! ‘Jumpstart January’ will include three days of free winter apparel (CC 2019 fuzzy socks), hot food (hot chocolate and donuts), and NSOP items (glow sticks and Kanye glasses)! GAME ROOMS IN SCHAPIRO AND BROADWAY LOUNGES -An idea that evolved from the Wellness Roundtable on mental health – we’ll advocate for dorm lounge game rooms that will include foosball, ping pong, and pool tables. THEMED TV EVENT SCREENINGS -Get hyped with friends during March Madness and The Oscars with the rest of CC ‘19! You’ll even receive prizes for winning predictions! FREE CC ‘19 APPAREL -To promote school spirit – CC 2019 collegiate banners, sunglasses, laptop stickers, bracelets, etc. SUBSIDIZED JUNIOR BOAT CRUISE FORMAL TICKETS -We’ll work to heavily subsidize tickets for all students, particularly low-income students, through the CCSC-run Student Events Fund. THE ‘YOU’ STUFF: BETTER ACCESSIBILITY TO CPS -We’ll work with administrators to set up an online system for booking CPS appointments – as of now, you can only book a CPS appointment over the phone. -We’ll run CPS events on a variety of topics to support student mental health. EARLIER RELEASE OF FINALS DATES -We’ll work with the Registrar to release finals dates earlier – we hope this will help de-stress students and allow you more time to figure out your winter break/summer plans! FREE CC ‘19 EXAM “CARE PACKAGES” DURING MIDTERMS AND FINALS DE-STRESSING EVENTS OUTSIDE BUTLER -Get out of Butler! A couple of times a semester, we’ll have events with food, puppies, free giveaways, massages, and music for CC ‘19 students! CC ‘19 MEMORY WALL -Add your favorite Columbia memory to the CC ‘19 memory wall and receive a free giveaway in return!


Name: Tarek Deida 

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Party: A New Roar

Bio: Tarek Deida is a sophomore from Pleasant Hill, NC. and he is excited about his potential contributions to CCSC as a class representative. He is currently studying History and English primarily to develop his lyrical content as an artist. Tarek is a coordinator for Columbia University’s Men of Color Alliance which not only serves as a support group for self identified men of color at Columbia but also does service work in the greater Harlem area. He is also a member of the Sigma Epsilon Fraternity as well as an e- board member of Columbia University’s Hip-Hop Society, C.U.S.H.

Platform: As a class representative for Columbia College Student Council, I plan to advocate for the arts community on campus and help build resources for the students within it. Firstly, we would like to expand museum partnerships for all students to enjoy the many different forms of art that New York City can provide.

In efforts to engage and highlight the talent of the Class of 2019, we would also hope to have an event where we showcase the various art forms in which our peers excel. From dance to visual art, we hope to dedicate a time and space to appreciate the art developing on our own campus and support artists within the community.

We would also hope to work with CU Records in efforts to transform their space and allow better resources for students who are pursuing music and need better resources.

While there is so much to appreciate on Columbia’s campus, there is also incredible art, culture, and experiences to be had within New York City. Whether for monetary restrictions or lack of information, students can often find it difficult to engage with the greater community. This is why we propose an initiative called “Columbia Night Out” where students can enter a raffle to win tickets to an arts event in New York, movie tickets, or other cultural experiences that they could not access. By subsidizing the costs of these outings and making the raffles open to any member of Columbia College 2019, we can foster a spirit of inclusivity within the community while allowing and encouraging students to engage with the arts in meaningful ways.


Name: Sofia Petros

Party: A New Roar

Bio: Sofia is from New Jersey and studying environmental history and sustainable development with a concentration in education. An aspiring outdoor educator and community organizer, she’s committed to representing marginalized identities and channeling resources to communities in need. She hopes to bring her passion for inclusivity, sustainability and reforming the relationship to Harlem to council. Sofia is the current Class of ‘19 Eco-rep and sits on the CCSC Sustainability Committee. In her free time, you can find her trying to convince her suite-mates to let her keep kombucha in their kitchen, at Trader Joe’s or Uris Pool with the kayaking team.

Platform: Too many students, both within and outside Columbia College, dismiss the efficacy of the Council and its role as a body designed to reflect and champion the needs of all students equitably. As a representative to the Class of 2019, I am looking to challenge this negative perception of Council by both acknowledging its troubled history with representation and inclusion and also radically reconsidering its role on campus and for the Class of 2019.
In seeking to emphasize and center the advocacy role of CCSC, “A New Roar” would begin by officially creating an appointed council position for a diversity and inclusion representative and leading education campaigns regarding CCSC’s constitutional provisions for representing and advocating for students in The College, so all students can meaningfully use us as a resource. Our party is committed to having a portion of all class council meetings open to constituents, holding them in accessible and well publicized locations and releasing livestreams and minutes in a timely fashion.
I also hope to improve both the social and environmental sustainability of the Class of 2019. In reimagining our relationship to the surrounding Harlem community, I hope to increase the amount of funding that is channeled into the Morningside Heights and Harlem communities, help direct students to community action/organizing through CCSC ‘19 organized outreach days and expand the LCUI with its focus on local, responsible banking.
A member of the 2019 CCSC Class Council and CCSC Sustainability Committee, I’ve helped expand the scope of environmental stewardship projects and hope to continue to encourage more sustainable practices within our class and urge the Council at large to take bolder, more concrete steps towards increasing campus sustainability and consciousness.


Name: Michael Yitayew 

Party: Blue Ivy

Bio: Born in Ethiopia and a current resident of San Diego, Michael Yitayew is excited to run as a CC 2019 Class Rep! He serves on Columbia Faith and Action and is an executive board member of the Ethiopian-Eritrean Student Association. Michael is the business manger of Columbia’s Crown and Cross Journal and a Campus Based Leader for The Gates Millennium Scholars Program. In high school, Michael was Class President for two years and a Tri-varsity athlete (Football Captain, Soccer, Track). Michael would be honored to serve as a Class Representative of Columbia College 2019! VOTE BLUE IVY!

Platform: THE ‘WORK’ STUFF: CC ‘19 INTERVIEW PREP & RESUME REVIEW -We’ll make CCE more accessible by bringing counselors to dorm lounges on a regular basis for resume workshops and interview question practice. -We’ll host events in which upperclassmen assist CC ‘19 students with resume and cover letter revisions for a range of fields (e.g. finance, film, politics, etc.). SUMMER INTERNSHIP CONTACT INFO SPREADSHEET -We’ll create a spreadsheet in which CC seniors share employer contact info from their past internships. The spreadsheet will offer information that is not on Handshake! FREE CUSTOMIZED CC 2019 RESUME HOLDERS -Gotta look sharp for those internship interviews 😉 FREE BOOK DRIVE -CCSC 2019 will give free food and mementos to CC ‘19 students who donate in-demand textbooks (e.g. pre-Med, Computer Science, Core Curriculum, etc). These books will then be offered to CC ‘19 students FREE! THE ‘FUN’ STUFF: FREE SOUL CYCLE PASSES -Get off campus and get fit! BACCHANAL -We’ll hand out FREE Customized CC 2019 Bacchanal Fanny Packs filled with goodies. -We’ll organize a CC 2019 Bacchanal Prep Snack Event on the Friday before Bacchanal. ‘JUMPSTART JANUARY’ WELCOME BACK -An idea that evolved from the Wellness Roundtable on mental health – we want students to feel welcomed back from winter break! ‘Jumpstart January’ will include three days of free winter apparel (CC 2019 fuzzy socks), hot food (hot chocolate and donuts), and NSOP items (glow sticks and Kanye glasses)! GAME ROOMS IN SCHAPIRO AND BROADWAY LOUNGES -An idea that evolved from the Wellness Roundtable on mental health – we’ll advocate for dorm lounge game rooms that will include foosball, ping pong, and pool tables. THEMED TV EVENT SCREENINGS -Get hyped with friends during March Madness and The Oscars with the rest of CC ‘19! You’ll even receive prizes for winning predictions! FREE CC ‘19 APPAREL -To promote school spirit – CC 2019 collegiate banners, sunglasses, laptop stickers, bracelets, etc. SUBSIDIZED JUNIOR BOAT CRUISE FORMAL TICKETS -We’ll work to heavily subsidize tickets for all students, particularly low-income students, through the CCSC-run Student Events Fund. THE ‘YOU’ STUFF: BETTER ACCESSIBILITY TO CPS -We’ll work with administrators to set up an online system for booking CPS appointments – as of now, you can only book a CPS appointment over the phone. -We’ll run CPS events on a variety of topics to support student mental health. EARLIER RELEASE OF FINALS DATES -We’ll work with the Registrar to release finals dates earlier – we hope this will help de-stress students and allow you more time to figure out your winter break/summer plans! FREE CC ‘19 EXAM “CARE PACKAGES” DURING MIDTERMS AND FINALS DE-STRESSING EVENTS OUTSIDE BUTLER -Get out of Butler! A couple of times a semester, we’ll have events with food, puppies, free giveaways, massages, and music for CC ‘19 students! CC ‘19 MEMORY WALL -Add your favorite Columbia memory to the CC ‘19 memory wall and receive a free giveaway in return!