Welcome to the TC community! We are thrilled to have you join us at the world’s first and largest graduate school of education. You are not just starting a new job; you are joining a vibrant academic community in one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in the world. 

At Teachers College, we believe in The TC Way: Your Career. Your Contribution. Your Journey. From your first day, you are part of a community dedicated to collaboration, innovation, and meaningful impact. Your journey at Teachers College begins today, and our future success relies on your unique dedication. As you build your career, you contribute to a long-standing legacy of excellence while shaping your own path forward. 

As a member of the TC community, your role helps further the College’s mission and contributes to building a smarter, healthier, more just, and equitable world.

 As you settle into our dynamic community, you will discover an incredible network of colleagues and resources dedicated to your success. We invite you to dive into the wealth of resources available here and never stop learning or exploring. You are now a vital part of Teachers College, a community where true change begins.

We know that navigating a new workplace culture is a process. Our goal is to streamline your transition by providing the essential resources and "need-to-know" details to help you hit the ground running and settle in comfortably.

The TC Way: Your Career Begins Here

Your First Essentials

• Campus Integration: Familiarize yourself with our historic Morningside Heights campus and the digital tools that power TC's work.
• Community & Culture: Connect with colleagues who are dedicated to employee support and advocacy, the public good, and excellence in education, health, and psychology.
• Support Systems: Access the administrative and technical resources available to ensure a seamless start in your first few weeks.
• Your UNI is your all-access pass to TC systems.
• Keep your TC ID handy for building access, library resources, and local discounts.

These first steps help you connect, navigate, and begin shaping your experience at TC.

Benefits

Your Contribution in the First 90 Days

Onboarding for Success

Maximizing your first 90 days sets the stage for everything you will achieve and contribute to at Teachers College. This isn't just about finding the bust of John Dewey in Zankel Hall; it is about setting the stage for everything you will achieve, excel at and contribute to.

• First Month – Acclimation: Focus on understanding the “how” and “why” behind TC operations.
• Second Month – Collaboration: Begin contributing to projects and expanding connections.
• By Day 90 – Autonomy: Operate with increasing independence and confidence.

Your early experiences build the foundation for your contributions and impact at the College.

The TC Way: Your Journey Through Connection

Strategic Alignment with Leadership

To ensure a seamless transition, maintain open dialogue with your manager:

• Role Clarity: Understand responsibilities and performance benchmarks
• Professional Development: Identify learning pathways and institutional resources

These conversations help shape your career path and contributions to the College’s mission.

The TC Way: Your Community and Campus Experience

Exploring TC’s Campus 

Our campus consists of nine buildings, eight of which are interconnected, making it easy to navigate and move between spaces without stepping outside. The tunnels between buildings provide faster access to your destination and help you get your steps in!

We encourage you to take time to explore the campus and enjoy its distinctive Gothic architecture, which reflects our institution’s long and storied history

Digital Resources & Maps

• Teachers College Campus Map: Access detailed floor plans and building features (like gender-neutral restrooms and lactation rooms) via the TC Maps & Directions page.
• Indoor Wayfinding: TC is a complex of interconnected buildings. To navigate the hallways like a pro, download GoodMaps, an app specifically designed to provide turn-by-turn indoor directions across the TC campus.
• Columbia University Main Map: For the broader campus layout, including the famous Low Library and Butler Library, visit the Columbia Interactive Map.

The Neighborhood

New employees are encouraged to spend time exploring and learning more about the Morningside Heights neighborhood during their first few weeks.

Getting Around

• Free Shuttle Services: Columbia University provides shuttle service connecting the Morningside campus to Manhattanville, Harlem Hospital, and the CU Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). Employees and students of TC may travel, free of charge, between the Morningside Campus and the Health Sciences Campus by presenting their Teachers College ID. For more information, visit the Columbia Transportation website.

Parking: For those commuting by car:

• On-street metered Parking availability is limited in the area
• There are multiple parking garages in the area.
• Public transit is often the most efficient option

 Insider Tips from TC Staff

• The campus is quieter in the early mornings, a great time to focus.
• It’s normal to hear colleagues say:
  •  “Let’s circle back.” 
  • “It’s the TC Way”
  • “The TC Community”
• Most offices at TC are referred to by acronyms and not their actual names - so be prepared to learn…
• The TC community is warm, brilliant, and collaborative. Reach out. People genuinely want to connect.
• There is always free food on campus, usually after large meetings or leftovers from other gatherings. Keep your ears open!
• Your UNI is your key to everything at TC

The TC Way: Your Network

The Buddy Program 

Starting somewhere new can feel exciting and maybe a little overwhelming. The TC Buddy Program offers connection and community, the TC way.

Your TC Buddy is:

• A colleague outside your immediate team
• A guide to unwritten rules
• A resource for everyday questions

Building connections is part of the TC Way and supports your experience at the College.

Someone you can ask:

• “Where do people actually eat lunch?”
• “Is this meeting really going the full hour?”
• “What does ‘let’s circle back’ mean here?”

Keep an eye on your inbox for an email from the Staff Advocacy & Support Council (SASC) regarding how to sign up for the Buddy Program.

Your Experience Beyond the Workplace

After 5 PM

When the workday ends, your adventure doesn’t have to. Working at TC means you are part of the fabric of  NYC’s rhythm, not just observing it, but living it. Step outside and the city becomes your after-hours playground. Working at TC doesn’t just mean a job; it means a front-row seat to one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

What some TC colleagues do after work:

• Watch the sunset along the Hudson River
• Hang out at Riverside Park or Morningside Park
• Hang out at Low Plaza, near Alma Mater, on Columbia’s main campus during the summer.
• Pop into one of the world-class museums, like The Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Natural History, for an exhibit.
• Grab tickets to a show on Broadway. Check out TC Corporate Offers or Perks at Work for discounts. 
• Catch live music at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem
• Meet friends for dinner in Harlem, Chelsea, City Island, Astoria, or Williamsburg; every neighborhood brings its own flavor, vibe, and hidden gems.
• Take the subway somewhere you have never been and explore the city like a tourist 
• Check out a Columbia Lions, Men's or Women's basketball game or a football game (depending on the season)

Where to Eat

Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee between meetings or seeking a quiet spot to recharge, the campus and surrounding Morningside Heights neighborhood offer a diverse range of options.