Community Assistants
Our Community Assistants (CAs) at Teachers College, Columbia University drive the creation of an exceptional residential experience for our residents. They play a crucial role in fostering academic, social, and personal growth within our vibrant community. Our CAs organize exciting events, promote community growth, and provide unwavering support during challenging times. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with our CAs through their brief bios below, and feel free to contact them for any assistance or questions you may have.
If you're interested in joining our team, we invite you to learn more about the application process.
Bancroft Hall
Jas Leiser is a Ph.D. student in the Social Studies Education program at Teachers College, studying ways to increase the joy and sense of belonging that students feel in the classroom. Jas has a keen interest in curriculum, pedagogy, social-emotional learning and project based learning. Jas is a former New York City Public Schools special education and social studies teacher and grew up in the Bay Area, California. Jas does research on affirming ways to support LGBTQ+ youth and Disabled youth in schools. Jas holds a M.A. in Teaching of Social Studies from Teachers College Columbia University, an Advanced Certificate in Special Education from Hunter College, and a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley. Outside of graduate studies, Jas enjoys: exploring bookstores, finding new coffee shops, learning how to crochet, baking bread, playing board games, listening to audiobooks, and reading poetry! Jas is very happy and grateful to support our community and neighbors through work as a Community Assistant. Please feel welcome to email Jas with your questions and/or your suggestions on residential programs you would like to see, or to just say hello.
Jas Leiser is a Ph.D. student in the Social Studies Education program at Teachers College, studying ways to increase the joy and sense of belonging that students feel in the classroom. Jas has a keen interest in curriculum, pedagogy, social-emotional learning and project based learning. Jas is a former New York City Public Schools special education and social studies teacher and grew up in the Bay Area, California. Jas does research on affirming ways to support LGBTQ+ youth and Disabled youth in schools. Jas holds a M.A. in Teaching of Social Studies from Teachers College Columbia University, an Advanced Certificate in Special Education from Hunter College, and a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley. Outside of graduate studies, Jas enjoys: exploring bookstores, finding new coffee shops, learning how to crochet, baking bread, playing board games, listening to audiobooks, and reading poetry! Jas is very happy and grateful to support our community and neighbors through work as a Community Assistant. Please feel welcome to email Jas with your questions and/or your suggestions on residential programs you would like to see, or to just say hello.
Edith is a 3rd year Ph.D. fellow in English Education with research focus on teacher education and mentorship. She was adopted from a Transylvanian orphanage at the age of eleven and grew up traveling the world. She is National Board Certified and embodies 15 yrs of college and public high school teaching in Connecticut and Hawai’i. For Edith, education is not only a lifelong passion, but the beacon that guides every aspect of her life. She is deeply involved in graduate student leadership as AERA GSC Chair-Elect and Co-Founder/Executive Secretary of AATC’s GSC. She also co-founded the TC Feminist Circle, a student organization advocating for gender equality, and leads professional development workshops on AI literacy and writing instruction to engage educators with emerging technologies. Outside of academia, when her nose is not in a book, Edith is a sports enthusiast who enjoys kitesurfing, skiing, Pilates, and surfing with her pup, Hemingway. Edith is passionate about building community and excited to continue serving the TC residential community.
Edith is a 3rd year Ph.D. fellow in English Education with research focus on teacher education and mentorship. She was adopted from a Transylvanian orphanage at the age of eleven and grew up traveling the world. She is National Board Certified and embodies 15 yrs of college and public high school teaching in Connecticut and Hawai’i. For Edith, education is not only a lifelong passion, but the beacon that guides every aspect of her life. She is deeply involved in graduate student leadership as AERA GSC Chair-Elect and Co-Founder/Executive Secretary of AATC’s GSC. She also co-founded the TC Feminist Circle, a student organization advocating for gender equality, and leads professional development workshops on AI literacy and writing instruction to engage educators with emerging technologies. Outside of academia, when her nose is not in a book, Edith is a sports enthusiast who enjoys kitesurfing, skiing, Pilates, and surfing with her pup, Hemingway. Edith is passionate about building community and excited to continue serving the TC residential community.
Grant and Sarasota Halls
Ivania Asencio Arroyo is a second-year student in the Mental Health Counseling Program, where she is pursuing the Bilingual certification. A New Jersey native, she earned her BA in Psychology from Princeton University, where she also worked as a research specialist before beginning her graduate studies. Her research interests center on understanding the cycle of recidivism to develop therapeutic interventions that bridge theory with culturally and contextually sensitive practice, aimed at promoting more effective and sustainable rehabilitation outcomes. Outside of academics, Ivania enjoys going to thrift stores and flea markets to find hidden gems, expanding her growing CD collection, and slowly working through the stack of books on her reading list. As a Community Assistant, she looks forward to being a supportive resource for her peers and helping to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard, understood, and empowered to engage meaningfully within the community.
Ivania Asencio Arroyo is a second-year student in the Mental Health Counseling Program, where she is pursuing the Bilingual certification. A New Jersey native, she earned her BA in Psychology from Princeton University, where she also worked as a research specialist before beginning her graduate studies. Her research interests center on understanding the cycle of recidivism to develop therapeutic interventions that bridge theory with culturally and contextually sensitive practice, aimed at promoting more effective and sustainable rehabilitation outcomes. Outside of academics, Ivania enjoys going to thrift stores and flea markets to find hidden gems, expanding her growing CD collection, and slowly working through the stack of books on her reading list. As a Community Assistant, she looks forward to being a supportive resource for her peers and helping to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard, understood, and empowered to engage meaningfully within the community.
New Residence Hall
Sarina Alavi is a 2023 graduate of TC’s Clinical Psychology MA program and a current PhD student in the School Psychology program. Sarina is Persian-American, speaking both Farsi and Spanish, and she grew up in Northern Nevada and Southern California. She completed a Bachelors in Psychology and a Bachelors in Education at University of California, Riverside, and she completed part of her undergraduate education at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Sarina is passionate about bridging research, practice, and policy to advance systems-based interventions to support the wellness and success of children and families of at-risk populations. In her free time, Sarina loves to enjoy fine arts and nature with her loved ones, and she loves to travel.
Sarina Alavi is a 2023 graduate of TC’s Clinical Psychology MA program and a current PhD student in the School Psychology program. Sarina is Persian-American, speaking both Farsi and Spanish, and she grew up in Northern Nevada and Southern California. She completed a Bachelors in Psychology and a Bachelors in Education at University of California, Riverside, and she completed part of her undergraduate education at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Sarina is passionate about bridging research, practice, and policy to advance systems-based interventions to support the wellness and success of children and families of at-risk populations. In her free time, Sarina loves to enjoy fine arts and nature with her loved ones, and she loves to travel.
Sonia Kim is a doctoral candidate in the Communication and Education program at TC where she studies how young people's digital practices shape the ways they learn, work, and care for themselves and their communities. Prior to TC, Sonia spent over a decade as a researcher, learning designer, and educator, including at a school for the blind through the Fulbright program. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sonia has lived in 11 cities in the U.S. and abroad. She earned her bachelor's from Brown and her master's from Harvard. Sonia loves California cuisine, Sesame Street, literary fiction, cardamom buns, collages, neo soul, 90's/00's karaoke, Dolly Parton, boating, boots, and the color cobalt blue. She dreams of living by the ocean, learning how to powerlift, and having a big garden.
Sonia Kim is a doctoral candidate in the Communication and Education program at TC where she studies how young people's digital practices shape the ways they learn, work, and care for themselves and their communities. Prior to TC, Sonia spent over a decade as a researcher, learning designer, and educator, including at a school for the blind through the Fulbright program. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sonia has lived in 11 cities in the U.S. and abroad. She earned her bachelor's from Brown and her master's from Harvard. Sonia loves California cuisine, Sesame Street, literary fiction, cardamom buns, collages, neo soul, 90's/00's karaoke, Dolly Parton, boating, boots, and the color cobalt blue. She dreams of living by the ocean, learning how to powerlift, and having a big garden.
Whittier Hall
Cindy Asencio Arroyo is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to pursuing her doctoral studies, she worked as a full-time bilingual mental health counselor in a community mental health care clinic in Brooklyn, NY. As a team member of IncLab: Critical Counseling Psychology Research for Social Inclusion, she researches the presence and impact of whiteness, as a sociopolitical force, in psychological research and practice. Cindy’s additional research interests include critical analysis of counseling practices, intersections of social class and psychotherapy, psychopolitical literacy development, and the impact of political, social, and economic forces in the counseling space. Cindy is an avid non-fiction reader, hiker, tea connoisseur, Letterboxd member, and dessert enthusiast.
Cindy Asencio Arroyo is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to pursuing her doctoral studies, she worked as a full-time bilingual mental health counselor in a community mental health care clinic in Brooklyn, NY. As a team member of IncLab: Critical Counseling Psychology Research for Social Inclusion, she researches the presence and impact of whiteness, as a sociopolitical force, in psychological research and practice. Cindy’s additional research interests include critical analysis of counseling practices, intersections of social class and psychotherapy, psychopolitical literacy development, and the impact of political, social, and economic forces in the counseling space. Cindy is an avid non-fiction reader, hiker, tea connoisseur, Letterboxd member, and dessert enthusiast.
RJ is a second-year master’s student in the Education Policy program from Carson, California. RJ is passionate about advancing educational equity and improving student experiences through policy, programming, and research. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Pepperdine University, along with a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Certificate in Conflict Management. At TC, RJ also serves as an Administrative Fellow for Graduate Student Life & Development, where he advises student organizations and creates programs to build community belonging. He enjoys playing the Nintendo Switch, trying new foods, and traveling— having visited 16 countries through study abroad programs! RJ is excited to serve as a Community Assistant and looks forward to supporting fellow residents throughout the year!
RJ is a second-year master’s student in the Education Policy program from Carson, California. RJ is passionate about advancing educational equity and improving student experiences through policy, programming, and research. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Pepperdine University, along with a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Certificate in Conflict Management. At TC, RJ also serves as an Administrative Fellow for Graduate Student Life & Development, where he advises student organizations and creates programs to build community belonging. He enjoys playing the Nintendo Switch, trying new foods, and traveling— having visited 16 countries through study abroad programs! RJ is excited to serve as a Community Assistant and looks forward to supporting fellow residents throughout the year!
Niklas (he/him/his) is a first-year Doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He graduated with his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from TC in the spring of 2025. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Niklas was raised in Stockholm, Sweden, in a multicultural household, including his Swedish father, Japanese mother, and two younger sisters. Before attending Teachers College, Niklas graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Keiser University, where he also spent a large part of his time in the swimming pool, as he was the previous team captain for the Men’s Swimming. With Niklas’ diverse background and leadership experience, his research interests focus on studying global mental health and the variables that promote people to reach their fullest potential. In his leisure time, Niklas practices swimming, drinks coffee (having a fika as we say in Sweden), or has the time of his life exploring new cafes around New York. It is a great honor to be serving as a Community Assistant for Niklas, and he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, flourishing, and grateful environment for all residents. With his dedication and passion, Niklas strives to make a positive impact on the community and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.
Niklas (he/him/his) is a first-year Doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He graduated with his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from TC in the spring of 2025. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Niklas was raised in Stockholm, Sweden, in a multicultural household, including his Swedish father, Japanese mother, and two younger sisters. Before attending Teachers College, Niklas graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Keiser University, where he also spent a large part of his time in the swimming pool, as he was the previous team captain for the Men’s Swimming. With Niklas’ diverse background and leadership experience, his research interests focus on studying global mental health and the variables that promote people to reach their fullest potential. In his leisure time, Niklas practices swimming, drinks coffee (having a fika as we say in Sweden), or has the time of his life exploring new cafes around New York. It is a great honor to be serving as a Community Assistant for Niklas, and he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, flourishing, and grateful environment for all residents. With his dedication and passion, Niklas strives to make a positive impact on the community and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.