The Dean of Students Office invites first-generation and low-income students to gather for a monthly community space and resource share. During this session, students will hear from a panel of GS alumni who will share their experiences on navigating academia as FLI students and life in the workforce post-graduation. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with GS Alumni as well as other FLI GS students. Dinner will be served.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Panelist Bios
Jessica Ramos Cuttone ‘09GS, ‘11SIPA
Jessica Ramos Cuttone began her journey at the School of General Studies at the age of twenty-six with three young children in tow. She earned a B.A. in Social Cultural Anthropology in 2009 and went on to Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs for her M.A. Jessica has since built a career in the youth and adult education non-profit space and currently serves as the Director of Workforce Services for Greenwich House, a 120 year old settlement house operating on the lower west side of Manhattan. Jessica, a proud Bronxite, now lives in Queens with her family and is getting ready to send her youngest child, and the third to attend, to college in the fall.
Jesse Dean '08GS
Jesse Dean (he, him), GS '08, is Director, Strategic Communications for Corporation for Supportive Housing, a national nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Jesse has held various communications and marketing roles in the nonprofit sector since graduating from the School of General Studies. Before enrolling at Columbia University, Jesse earned an AA in Writing and Literature from Borough of Manhattan Community College and worked in the equity trading, banking, and wholesale luxury sectors. Jesse enjoys travel, endurance sports, yoga, and testing new recipes in his kitchen.
Melek Dunn ‘08GS
Melek is an associate in the New York office of the law firm McGuireWoods LLP, where he is part of the firm’s Financial Services Litigation practice. Previously, he was with a mid-sized firm where he specialized in alternative dispute resolution within the securities industry and financial markets practice areas. He received his B.A. in English and Comparative Literature, largely due to General Studies’ Program for Academic Leadership and Service. After graduating from Columbia in 2008, Melek worked in the hospitality industry for a number of years in New York, before returning to law school in 2015. Now a practicing litigator in New York, Melek attributes a great portion of his accomplishments to his affiliation with Columbia University’s School of General Studies.
Libria Gibson-Obama ‘06GS, ‘08SIPA
Libria Gibson-Obama works for New York state's affordable housing agency, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), where she supports the implementation of programs geared at making homeownership affordable for New Yorkers. Prior to this role, Libria spent several years in procurement where she facilitated the acquisition of services. She also developed diversity purchasing policies that promoted equitable participation of MWBEs (Minority and Women Owned Business Entities) and Veteran Owned Businesses. Libria graduated from Hostos Community College and then transferred to Columbia University School of General Studies where she received a B.A. in Religion in 2006. She continued her studies at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs where she received an MIA in International Security Policy in 2008.
