Great Grads of GS

Rachel Papirmeister ‘26GS reflects on how her path to GS pushed her out of her comfort zone and into a realm of possibility she never believed in before.

The vision Aleigh Alarie '26GS had for her life changed after a life-altering tumor. Now, she reflects on the many ways her time at GS has made her believe in herself in unexpected ways.

At 75, Lisa Delgado Smith ’25GS is fulfilling a lifelong dream of studying anthropology at Columbia—proving it’s never too late to put yourself first.

As a formerly incarcerated survivor of human trafficking, education was the freedom Ava Kamdem ‘25GS needed—and then became her most powerful card to play.

From Louisiana, to California, to New York City, Armand Link ‘25GS shares how the “living inheritance” of history has affected his path as a student, advocate, and entrepreneur.

Varun Mandgi ‘25GS shares his global pursuit of intellectual rigor from philosophy to the law, and from Sciences Po to Columbia University.

February graduate, fashion model, and financial economics major Krista Kalaj ‘25GS shares how GS empowered her to fearlessly pursue all her passions.

After a successful career in tech, Stephen Fox ‘25PBPM came to Columbia to pivot to medicine…and linked to the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University!

An experienced healthcare professional and health equity advocate, Busime Mimy Mudekereza ‘25PBPM came to Columbia GS to pursue her long held, long-prevented dream of becoming a physician.

Coming to Columbia from the French Air Force, Bruce Goumain has continued to put service first as GS University Senator and a burgeoning community-conscious finance professional.

From studying neuroscience, to advocating for education equity, Deztynee Rivera ‘25PBPM has pursued intellectual rigor and community impact all the way to the Postbac Premed Program.

U.S. Space Force veteran Brian Leal '25GS shares his path from the skies to Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus.