Members

Committee(s):  TBD

Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Whitney is a proud graduate of the Psychology in Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently serves as the Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives & Communication in Student Affairs Administration within the Division of Enrollment & Student Success. Since joining TC in 2017, she has held key roles, including Assistant Director and Manager of Operations for Graduate Student Life & Development (GSLD), where she played a pivotal role in enhancing student engagement and operational efficiency.

With a strong focus on digital engagement and technology, Whitney is dedicated to enriching the student experience from New Student Orientation through Commencement. Outside of her immediate professional role, she also serves on the Staff Advocacy & Support Council (SASC). Her leadership extends beyond TC, she actively contributes to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region II Advisory Board. She is currently the 2026 Annual Regional Conference Co-Chair elect and the 2025 Registration Co-Chair, having previously served as Chief of Staff (2024) and Chair for Marketing & Communications (2023) for the Regional Conference Committee.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Whitney is deeply passionate about animal advocacy, rescue, and welfare. She volunteers as an operations member for Waggytail Rescue, a New York City-based small dog and cat rescue organization, dedicating much of her free time to coordinating rescue events and supporting adoption efforts. To unwind, she enjoys long walks, reading, and spending time outdoors in her neighborhood’s green spaces.

Committee(s): Provost's Affirmative Action (College-Wide Committee), Bylaws (SASC Subcommittee), Human Resources & Outreach (SASC Subcommittee),  Membership & Buddy Program (SASC Subcommittee), Professional & Personal Development (SASC Subcommittee)

As Senior Program Manager, John oversees the daily administrative, personnel, and fiscal operations of academic and non-credit programs in Social-Organizational Psychology. He received his Ph.D. in Global Affairs from Rutgers University in 2014, and was the recipient of a joint fellowship with the Department of Homeland Security and an internship with the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait. 

Eileen is currently the Assistant Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs, where she has also held the position of Senior Sponsored Research Administrator. Eileen has been with TC since 2013.  Eileen enjoys working with faculty on their proposals and always is excited when faculty receive a new award. Prior to her work at TC she was at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY as Grant Manager and the University of Nevada Las Vegas as Assistant Director of Program Activities. Eileen studied at SUNY College at Buffalo earning her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and the University of Nevada Las Vegas earning her Master of Arts in US History with a minor in Public History. Eileen also holds a Certified Research Administrator certification.

Committee(s): Campus Safety Advisory (College-Wide Committee)

Uyanga is an Employment Partnerships Coordinator at TC NEXT. In this role, she will be continuing the development of partnerships with employers to provide career networking opportunities for students and alumni. Uyanga has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Education from Clark University. Previously, Uyanga was a kindergarten teacher in the US and abroad in international schools across China. Additionally, she has worked with domestic and international students in a variety of roles, such as an Admissions Counselor and Risk and Safety coordinator, spearheading counseling in higher education and employment opportunities. Uyanga is more than happy to assist in Mongolian and in Russian.

Committee(s): TBD

Dr. Elsie C. Spencer is an Administrative Director for the National Center for Children and Families and the Consortium for Policy Research in Education. She also is the co-chair of the Staff Advocacy Support Council (SASC) and co-chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Personal and Professional Development subcommittees at Teachers College, Columbia University. 

A Cuban American and native New Yorker, Dr. Spencer is a first-generation college graduate and received her Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Higher Education Management and her M.P.A. from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Dr. Spencer’s passion and expertise traverse higher education, specifically diversity and equity initiatives and promoting inclusion in academia. She is a powerful advocate for full-time professional staff at the College. Dr. Spencer sits on various subcommittees at Teachers College, Columbia University that promote DEI programming and gauges the effectiveness of current policies and strategies affecting institutional culture overall.

Dr. Spencer has published articles on various DEI topics such as revitalizing STEMM pipelines, postdoc and faculty recruitment in STEMM fields, and the important role of mentoring in promoting DEI in STEMM. She was listed in Cell’s 100 Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists in America and is known in her community as a key partner and thought leader for social justice initiatives. Dr. Spencer continues to perform other outreach initiatives with various community members and anchor institutions throughout the higher education diaspora.

Committee(s): Diversity (SASC Subcommittee), Professional & Personal Development (SASC Subcommittee) 

Geneviève Thévenin is a career and academic coach. She has over ten years of experience in coaching, advising, tutoring, and teaching students across secondary, higher, and post secondary education.  At TC NEXT she provides resume/cover letter/curriculum vitae review, job search strategies, salary negotiation advice, and interview preparation to TC students and alumni. As a member of the Coaching and Programming team, Geneviève also supports the development of workshops, learning modules, and professional development opportunities. She has a proven record of meaningful connections through one-on-one coaching, including experience with non-traditional and underserved students. An engaging facilitator and speaker, Geneviève is a huge advocate for the use of campus resources to support students on their educational journey. In addition to her work in career coaching, her personal mission is to support students of color in making positive changes to their financial trajectories and empowering them to shatter glass ceilings and dismantle systemic inequalities.

Committee(s): TBD

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