Columbia’s Student Leadership Engagement Initiative (SLEI) launched in the summer of 2024 with the purpose of bringing together a diverse group of student leaders to engage in meaningful and substantive dialogue around the student experience and how to nurture a campus culture where viewpoint diversity is embraced. With the support of Columbia’s Board of Trustees, this initiative has welcomed more than 70 students, representing undergraduate and graduate students across all schools, to participate in learning sessions covering topics ranging from mediation and conflict resolution to leadership development. Students also participated in a January retreat that enabled substantive dialogue around the role of SLEI and how to further the initiative’s impact.
Interim President Katrina Armstrong has made clear that efforts to deepening engagement across our campus community, among students, faculty, and staff, is a priority and committed to providing resources to student initiatives. Programs like SLEI exemplify this commitment.
