Dear Students,
A few years ago, I attended a series of classes called, “Yoga for Runners.” The class was offered at a deeply discounted price as part of a promotion for members (like me) of the New York Road Runners club. I confess I signed up for the class because it gave me access to a swanky Manhattan gym where I could help myself to expensive toiletries in the locker room. I didn’t have much experience with yoga, so I was expecting something more relaxing than challenging. I was wrong. (Yes, I worked very hard for unlimited access to Kiehl’s Amino Acid Volumizing Shampoo and Crème de Corps body lotion.)
At the end of each class, we did spend a few minutes relaxing. The instructor had us lie down with our eyes closed and invited us to focus on our breath while she dimmed the studio lights. There were about 30 students in total, all strangers to each other and to her. We dutifully lay on our mats in the semi-darkness. In a soothing but assured voice she would then tell us,
“Remember – you are enough.
Whatever you did or didn’t do in our class today is enough.
Whatever you did or didn’t do in your life outside of class today… this week… this month… this year… – is enough.
You – just as you are right now – are enough.
Namaste.”
I wept every time. After that first class I’d arrive at the gym and tell myself, “You will not cry today; there’s no reason to! Of course, you are enough. There’s no need to cry.” Yet, when the lights dimmed and the instructor began her mantra, silent tears streamed down my cheeks.
That yoga teacher was right. We are enough. As are you.
You are enough.
You are not behind (no matter where you are in your progress toward earning your MA), you are not late, you are not lacking, and you are not deficient. You are not missing out on an irrevocable life-changing opportunity by taking this class but not that one, by not landing this internship or that job, nor have you altered your life’s course by getting a B+ instead of an A+.
We are all trying to stay grounded and move forward, individually and collectively, from all we are navigating in the larger world. We are all coping with constant change, lots of uncertainty, and the myriad challenges of life at work, school, and home. But, I know there is also excitement, hope, and joy. You should feel very excited by all you have accomplished this year, hope for all the ways you can make our shared world better with your wisdom and skill, and joy in the relationships you have created and nurtured along the way. I feel excited and hopeful for all of you and great joy in the community we nurture together here at TC.
To all of you, those who are graduating and those who are continuing in your studies, remember that you – just as you are now – are enough. We are so proud of you. We have loved being in this learning community with you over the past year. We are cheering you on to the finish line of this semester. And, we are here for you.
Don’t forget it.
Warmly,
Current Student Profile
Jason is a first-year M.A. student in the Social Organizational Psychology program. After completing his first combat deployment in 2022, he obtained his B.A. in Psychology from Syracuse University. Jason is currently serving as a senior sniper team leader at his unit and as a mentor at the Babel Institute. Throughout his military career, he developed his leadership skills and is excited to apply them in his future civilian and military endeavors. He learned to navigate through critical situations and to focus and think clearly through adverse and confusing situations. During his time in country, he oversaw planning activities and combat patrols as a weapons team leader and coordinated training and joint missions with local forces.
Jason’s passion for the S-OP program came from the desire to solve problems in organizations and work in teams to achieve a common goal. TC was an obvious choice to gain experience from peers who are far more versed in the soft and hard skills needed to understand the change process at organizations. With his education at TC, Jason hopes to create positive and sustainable change in any organization he is a part of. Jason is proud to be a member of the TC community and plans to carry the S-OP program's scholar-practitioner approach wherever he goes. He is excited to continue to learn the ins and outs of leading organizational change and effective management skills. Eventually, he plans on becoming an HR business partner or a strategic HR consultant.
When Jason isn’t focused on schoolwork, he enjoys hiking, reading, playing guitar, and composing music. If you’re interested in connecting with Jason, he’s happy to chat in person or through LinkedIn.
Alumni Profile
Supriya is a 2007 alumna of the MA in Social-Organizational Psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. With more than 18 years of experience across SAP, Nasdaq, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Mercer, she has built a career at the intersection of organizational culture, leadership, and workforce strategy. Her work focuses on strengthening employee and investor engagement by embedding inclusive leadership practices across the employee lifecycle.
Most recently, Supriya served as Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at SAP SE, where she led enterprise-wide efforts for a 110,000-employee organization, integrating inclusion across more than 150 countries into human capital strategy, employee experience, and client engagement. She also contributed to the company’s AI ethics initiatives, helping shape responsible approaches to emerging technologies and the future of work. Prior to SAP, she served as the inaugural Diversity and Inclusion leader at Nasdaq, Inc., establishing the foundation for the firm’s global strategy and partnerships while collaborating with senior leadership on ESG priorities.
Today, Supriya bridges academia and practice through advisory work, thought leadership, and teaching. She serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Investing in Gender Parity and is passionate about advancing leadership approaches that foster belonging, innovation, and organizational resilience.
Supriya began her academic journey in India, graduating from Hindu College, University of Delhi and earning a Post-Graduate degree from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters.
You can connect with her via LinkedIn.
Supriya is a 2007 alumna of the MA in Social-Organizational Psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. With more than 18 years of experience across SAP, Nasdaq, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Mercer, she has built a career at the intersection of organizational culture, leadership, and workforce strategy. Her work focuses on strengthening employee and investor engagement by embedding inclusive leadership practices across the employee lifecycle.
Most recently, Supriya served as Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at SAP SE, where she led enterprise-wide efforts for a 110,000-employee organization, integrating inclusion across more than 150 countries into human capital strategy, employee experience, and client engagement. She also contributed to the company’s AI ethics initiatives, helping shape responsible approaches to emerging technologies and the future of work. Prior to SAP, she served as the inaugural Diversity and Inclusion leader at Nasdaq, Inc., establishing the foundation for the firm’s global strategy and partnerships while collaborating with senior leadership on ESG priorities.
Today, Supriya bridges academia and practice through advisory work, thought leadership, and teaching. She serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Investing in Gender Parity and is passionate about advancing leadership approaches that foster belonging, innovation, and organizational resilience.
Supriya began her academic journey in India, graduating from Hindu College, University of Delhi and earning a Post-Graduate degree from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters.
You can connect with her via LinkedIn.
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