Communities & Connections
United in our dedication to creating a better future
As diverse as the city we call home
There’s no place like New York — our inspiring, energetic, one-of-a-kind hometown — and no better place to study global policy. The community inside our walls is as varied as the city around us. And just as we welcome students from around the world, we embrace diversity in everything we do: the work of our faculty, our programs’ curriculums, our public engagement, and our commitment to maintain a respectful, welcoming environment for all.
“I think the best thing about being a SIPA student is that you have such a wide range of opportunities that you can choose from.”
— Ambar Pagan MPA ’24
Student & Alumni Stories
Columbia & New York
Only SIPA combines access to incomparable professional opportunities — at New York City’s international organizations, top companies, countless nonprofits, and more — with the activity of Columbia’s vibrant urban campus and the incredible cultural and social life of the city that never sleeps.
Beyond the Classroom
The Columbia SIPA experience doesn’t end at the classroom door...
We’re proud to claim an evolving roster of student organizations that provide social, cultural, professional, and educational activities that address a wide range of interests.
We know that professional development is a key part of your education. From networking opportunities and mentoring programs to internships and career workshops, we’re committed to supporting your future career.
Each year we welcome many dozens of visitors across our various areas of study — leaders and innovative thinkers from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These events at SIPA run the gamut from formal addresses to panel discussions to brown-bag lunches and more. The only challenge is fitting them all in!
Our annual Dean’s Public Policy Challenge asks student teams to tackle a problem in entrepreneurial fashion by using information and communications technology, or ICT. It’s one of several opportunities in which students use their hard-won knowledge and skills to compete with peers inside and outside of SIPA.
