Student Union
Purpose
The School of Social Work Student Union (SSWSU) is the official, representative student council of Columbia University School of Social Work. The SSWSU will act as an official liaison between the School of Social Work student body and the Administration.
SSWSU’s mission is to enhance the educational experience of its members and contribute to the university community as a whole through fostering activities and consistent advocacy.
SSWSU shall be responsible for advocating on behalf of CSSW graduate students and their collective interests.
Executive Board and Representatives
Chantel Heard
President
Focus Area: Advanced Clinical Practice
Hometown: San Diego, California
[email protected]
Chantel is from San Diego, California, and considers the Bay Area a second home. She loves gardening, spending time with friends, and traveling. Chantel also just returned from a Fulbright fellowship in South Africa, focusing on indigenous knowledge systems in health.
Vanessa Barretto
Vice President
Focus Area: Integrated Practice & Programming
Hometown: White Plains, New York
[email protected]
I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to visit 11 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas over the past two years.
Ebonnie Goodfield
Columbia University Senator
Hometown
[email protected]
Bio
Adebola Abbey-Peter
Communications Officer
Focus Area: Integrated Practice & Programming
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
[email protected]
So… I am a transit geek (specifically, I love trains) and know all the stops in the NYC Subway System #neverneededamap. I also spend a lot… like a lot of time listening to music, on average about 17 hours a day.
Emily Carchia
Community Liaison
Focus Area: CSSW: Integrated Practice & Programming SIPA: International Finance & Economic Policy
Hometown: North Haven, Connecticut
[email protected]
Zoe Deenihan
First Year Residential Representative
Focus Area: Policy Practice
Hometown
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
[email protected]
Hi everyone, I’m Zoe! I just moved from Seattle, WA where I spent the last few years working as a postpartum doula and lactation educator. At CSSW, I’m on the Accelerated Policy track, planning to focus on Family, Youth, and Children’s Services. I work as a research assistant on campus, and have my practicum placement working for DYCD’s Fatherhood Initiative. Outside of work and school, you might see me going climbing, exploring the various neighborhoods/communities around campus, or working on my knitting in a cafe!
Alyse Schonfeld
Second Year Residential Representative
Focus Area: Advanced Clinical Practice
Hometown: Bath, Michigan
[email protected]
Hello everyone, my name is Alyse (she/they) and I am excited to be your second-year representative! I am a 2-year residential, advanced clinical practice student specializing in health, mental health, and disabilities. My professional focus centers on supporting foster youth and survivors of human trafficking, as well as advocating for systemic change at both a local and global level. I look forward to collaborating with you all and serving as a bridge between students and administration on issues most important to our community. If you have a concern you would like to discuss, come talk to me – I have pink hair now!
Vianey Roldan Rivera (she/her)
Advanced Standing Representative
Focus area: Advanced Standing- Advanced Clinical Practice in the mental health field
Hometown: Tijuana, MX/ San Diego
[email protected]
8 year Navy Veteran with a background in general nursing and mental health. I got my BSW from San Diego State University. I love traveling and experiencing different cultures by way of their cuisine and history. I am my happiest in tropical climates with beautiful beaches for snorkeling.
Alyssa Durante
One Year Reduced Residency & PT to FT/PT Representative
Focus Area: Integrated Practice & Programming
Hometown: Long Island, New York
[email protected]
Alyssa is a second-year OYR student at Columbia School of Social Work, specializing in Integrated Practice and Programming with a focus on Contemporary Social Issues. She currently works as a Care Manager at Advance Care Alliance of New York, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in leading self-directed and person-centered lives. Alyssa brings years of experience in community mental health and supportive housing, and she’s passionate about advancing accessibility, housing equity, and anti-oppressive practice within the social work field. Outside of work and classes, Alyssa loves crafting, strength training, and hiking.
Jessica Distelhorst
Dual Degree Representative
Focus Area: School of International Public Affairs (SIPA): International Security & Diplomacy/ CSSW: Policy Practice
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
[email protected]
My mom was born in Queens and I apparently had a strong New York accent as a kid. Though I was born in OK, we traveled a lot and I was raised all over the US. I do one Vipassana meditation retreat per year, which is 100 hours of meditation in 10 days. Vipassana Centers are all over the world, completely free, and volunteer-run, open to any religious, cultural, or ethnic background: https://www.dhamma.org/. I’m passionate about labor rights and international working class solidarity. I’m co-leading the Payment 4 Placements Caucus to help get CSSW students paid for our practicum labor.
QianZi Walker
Online Representative
Focus Area: Policy Practice
Hometown: Suzhou, China/ Dallas, Texas
[email protected]
Hi everyone! I’m Qianzi, originally from Suzhou and now based in Dallas while pursuing the Policy track at CSSW. I’m passionate about social welfare systems, mental health policy, and building better structures for vulnerable communities—but outside of coursework, I’m honestly just a huge anime fan. Recently, I’ve been completely absorbed in Dr. Stone and the Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc movie, and I love talking to people who also have way too many thoughts about fictional worlds. I’m also really into lifting weights, and my favorite fun fact is that I can princess-carry both my mom and my husband, which always surprises people because I don’t look like someone who trains that much. My MBTI is ENTJ, so I’m usually the one organizing things, planning everything three steps ahead, and getting way too excited about efficiency. I’m excited to connect with more of you this year and help build a strong, supportive student community!
Emma Comer
Secretary
Focus Area: Policy Practice (Intended) First-Year*
Hometown: Oregon
[email protected]
I am a first-year full-time student, with the intention to specialize in public policy with a focus in international social welfare. I began partnering with social service agencies when I was 14, and have since then spent time in volunteer and professional roles both locally and abroad. I’m supported (and bullied) by my two cats, Salem and Niles.
Rebecca Xu
Treasurer
Focus Area: Policy Practice
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
[email protected]
My name is Rebecca Xu (she/her) and I’m a first-year student in the two-year residential program, specializing in Policy Practice with a focus on Contemporary Issues. I’m from Minneapolis, MN, and spent the last 9 years working in real estate and housing. As a Columbia College alum and 13-year member of this community, I’m excited to be back at Columbia serving as your Student Union Treasurer. I believe in the power of our collective voice, and strive to build structures that benefit everyone at CSSW. I’m a fearless and undefined Aries who’s always running around, so say hi to me if you see me!