Subcommittees

The Professional & Personal Development Committee works to expand growth opportunities for staff both within and beyond their current roles. The committee is collaborating with HR on upcoming college-wide Career Mobility initiatives, developing a shadowing program to help staff learn more about their colleagues and the work they do, and exploring ways to broaden the reach and utility of the Professional Development fund.

The HR & Outreach Committee serves as a bridge between staff and institutional HR efforts, gathering feedback on the HR-related employee experience for non-union full-time professional staff, and bringing feedback and suggestions such as workload challenges and hiring process pain points and elevating those perspectives to the appropriate groups for consideration. The committee maintains an active presence in college-wide HR initiatives, including participation in the Benefits Committee and the Our Voice focus groups.

The TC Buddy Program aims to give new colleagues a strong onboarding experience by pairing them with a knowledgeable, supportive peer who can serve as a go-to resource outside of HR. Buddies help introduce new staff to the culture at Teachers College, offering guidance and advice as they find their footing. Currently, matching is underway, and the committee is developing FAQs and discussion topics for veteran employees. The program's official kickoff is set for Summer 2026 — staff interested in participating can reach out to sasc@tc.columbia.edu.

The Community Bridges Committee fosters connection and belonging across campus through a range of programming and partnerships. This year's initiatives include a quarterly Grief Support Group, a Staff Graduation Celebration, and the 2nd Annual TC's Big Queer Photo. The committee also collaborates actively with HR, OCA, VPA, and College Events, and continues to explore deeper partnerships with OCA in support of affinity groups.

Serve as a bridge connecting staff and senior leadership, ensuring that staff perspectives, concerns, and ideas are communicated and considered in institutional decision-making.

Support, lead, or collaborate on initiatives designed to enhance the overall staff experience.