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.
Whittier Hall
Angelica Torres is a second-year masters student pursuing a Masters of Arts in International Educational Development, with a concentration in Languages, Literacies, and Cultures. Before coming to Teachers College, Angelica attended the University if Central Florida and completed her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Development. She is originally from Puerto Rico, but loves exploring the city with friends and taking walks along Riverside Park. As a Community Assistant, she hopes to create engaging and long lasting experiences for her residents and support them through their TC journey. She is very excited to be a CA and meet everyone.
Angelica Torres is a second-year masters student pursuing a Masters of Arts in International Educational Development, with a concentration in Languages, Literacies, and Cultures. Before coming to Teachers College, Angelica attended the University if Central Florida and completed her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Development. She is originally from Puerto Rico, but loves exploring the city with friends and taking walks along Riverside Park. As a Community Assistant, she hopes to create engaging and long lasting experiences for her residents and support them through their TC journey. She is very excited to be a CA and meet everyone.
New Residence Hall
Cindy Asencio Arroyo is a second-year Masters of Education student in the Mental Health Counseling program with a Bilingual Latinx Mental Health concentration. She was born in Central New Jersey and earned her B.A. in Psychology from Swarthmore College, where she was a Resident Assistant in her final year. She has over 5 years of experience working in community settings and community outreach, particularly with underserved populations. Cindy’s research interests include non-conventional research methodologies, racism epistemologies, major life transitions, and identity. As a Community Assistant, Cindy hopes to foster an inclusive, dynamic, and engaged community that creates a welcoming space for all. In her free time, Cindy enjoys spending time with her friends and family, exploring cultural hubs in NYC, thrift shopping, and eating desserts. Cindy is excited to be a Community Assistant and hopes that she can serve as a point of contact/resource/guidance.
Cindy Asencio Arroyo is a second-year Masters of Education student in the Mental Health Counseling program with a Bilingual Latinx Mental Health concentration. She was born in Central New Jersey and earned her B.A. in Psychology from Swarthmore College, where she was a Resident Assistant in her final year. She has over 5 years of experience working in community settings and community outreach, particularly with underserved populations. Cindy’s research interests include non-conventional research methodologies, racism epistemologies, major life transitions, and identity. As a Community Assistant, Cindy hopes to foster an inclusive, dynamic, and engaged community that creates a welcoming space for all. In her free time, Cindy enjoys spending time with her friends and family, exploring cultural hubs in NYC, thrift shopping, and eating desserts. Cindy is excited to be a Community Assistant and hopes that she can serve as a point of contact/resource/guidance.
Vik Joshi (he/him) - from Mumbai, India - is a third-year doctoral student in the Philosophy and Education Program at Columbia University (Teachers College). He is a member of the International Interfaith Research Lab, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, and serves as the Director of Research and Strategic Partnerships at Reimagine Resilience and Project Belonging - two programs funded by the Center of Prevention, Programs and Partnerships (Department of Homeland Security) that support Educators, Educational Staff, and Middle- and High-School students in countering Educational Displacement, Othering, Radicalization, and Targeted Violence through Professional Development and Innovative Programming. He has served as part of the faculty of a College-in-Prison program (working in Maximum and Medium-Security Prisons in Up-State New York). He has held fellowships at the Center for Justice (Columbia University) and was an inaugural fellow at Mr. Harry Belafonte's The Gathering for Justice. He is currently completing a manuscript, upon request, of the life of Justus Rosenberg, a spy in the French Resistance during the Second World War. Vik is deeply humbled and honoured to begin another year serving as a Community Assistant with the values of social connectedness, empathy, and mutual respect as foundational to his work within the Office of Residential Services.
Vik Joshi (he/him) - from Mumbai, India - is a third-year doctoral student in the Philosophy and Education Program at Columbia University (Teachers College). He is a member of the International Interfaith Research Lab, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, and serves as the Director of Research and Strategic Partnerships at Reimagine Resilience and Project Belonging - two programs funded by the Center of Prevention, Programs and Partnerships (Department of Homeland Security) that support Educators, Educational Staff, and Middle- and High-School students in countering Educational Displacement, Othering, Radicalization, and Targeted Violence through Professional Development and Innovative Programming. He has served as part of the faculty of a College-in-Prison program (working in Maximum and Medium-Security Prisons in Up-State New York). He has held fellowships at the Center for Justice (Columbia University) and was an inaugural fellow at Mr. Harry Belafonte's The Gathering for Justice. He is currently completing a manuscript, upon request, of the life of Justus Rosenberg, a spy in the French Resistance during the Second World War. Vik is deeply humbled and honoured to begin another year serving as a Community Assistant with the values of social connectedness, empathy, and mutual respect as foundational to his work within the Office of Residential Services.
Grant and Sarasota Halls
Abbas is a Ph.D. candidate in the Comparative and International Education program. Before coming to TC, Abbas worked as a student affairs professional in his hometown Baku, Azerbaijan after deciding to make a major career shift from foreign affairs into higher education. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from the Australian National University in Canberra, ACT as well as M.A. in Higher and Postsecondary Education from TC. Abbas is joined by his partner, Amanda, who works in the non-profit sector. During their leisure time, Abbas and Amanda like to explore the very rich scene of coffeeshops in New York. Apart from being major coffee lovers, they like to walk along the Cherry Walk down from Riverside Park. Abbas and Amanda are thrilled to welcome the Grant & Sarasota residents and help them get the best out of their time at TC.
Abbas is a Ph.D. candidate in the Comparative and International Education program. Before coming to TC, Abbas worked as a student affairs professional in his hometown Baku, Azerbaijan after deciding to make a major career shift from foreign affairs into higher education. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from the Australian National University in Canberra, ACT as well as M.A. in Higher and Postsecondary Education from TC. Abbas is joined by his partner, Amanda, who works in the non-profit sector. During their leisure time, Abbas and Amanda like to explore the very rich scene of coffeeshops in New York. Apart from being major coffee lovers, they like to walk along the Cherry Walk down from Riverside Park. Abbas and Amanda are thrilled to welcome the Grant & Sarasota residents and help them get the best out of their time at TC.
Bancroft Hall
Jalnidh Kaur is a doctoral student in the Economics and Education program. She grew up in India and completed her Bachelors in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi in 2013. As a Rhodes scholar, she earned an M.Phil in Economics from the University of Oxford in 2015. Before joining TC, she worked as a researcher and teacher in classrooms of rural India. She is joined in Bancroft by her husband Divjot Singh and daughter Haadra Hadur Kaur. Divjot is a finance professional and a seasoned tabla player. Both Jalnidh and Divjot are trained in Indian classical music and enjoy singing and composing music together. Their favorite pastime in NYC is exploring parks with daughter and connecting with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. They are humbled and honored to serve the TC residential community.
Jalnidh Kaur is a doctoral student in the Economics and Education program. She grew up in India and completed her Bachelors in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi in 2013. As a Rhodes scholar, she earned an M.Phil in Economics from the University of Oxford in 2015. Before joining TC, she worked as a researcher and teacher in classrooms of rural India. She is joined in Bancroft by her husband Divjot Singh and daughter Haadra Hadur Kaur. Divjot is a finance professional and a seasoned tabla player. Both Jalnidh and Divjot are trained in Indian classical music and enjoy singing and composing music together. Their favorite pastime in NYC is exploring parks with daughter and connecting with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. They are humbled and honored to serve the TC residential community.