Student Experience and Engagement

Student Experience and Engagement

The mission of the Department of Student Experience and Engagement (SEE) is to create accessible, dynamic, thought-provoking co-curricular opportunities for Barnard students to explore purposeful involvement, self-discovery, and the development of meaningful relationships with their peers and the greater Barnard community. As an integral part of the student experience, SEE aims to connect students not only to resources available within the Department but all resources available at both Barnard and Columbia. Students who engage with SEE will strengthen their leadership skills to transform themselves, Barnard, and their communities both now and in the future.

Vision:

Student Experience and Engagement envisions a Barnard where every student feels welcome, supported, is engaged, and becomes an agent for social change.

Values:

Student Experience and Engagement values the following:

• Knowledge Equality
• Community
• Integrity
• Responsibility
• Social Justice

Functional Areas:

• Arts Education

• Campus-Wide Programming

• McAC *Student-Programming Board

• Glicker-Milstein Theatre (GMT)

• Identity & Inclusion Initiatives
• Leadership Programs
• New Student Orientation (NSOP)
• Recognized Club and Organization Support and Management
• Student Leadership Group Advising 
• Student Government Association (SGA)
• Governing Board at Barnard (GBB)
   

Student Experience and Engagement serves the entire Barnard community including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents and families. As the hub for student engagement, SEE is a great place to both promote and learn about what is going on in the Barnard community. In partnership with the Division of Campus Life and Student Engagement, SEE will do the following:

• Encourage deep consideration of ideas, interests, and needs 
• Advise students on the breadth of College resources to leverage during your experience at Barnard; 
• Connect students to departments and individuals to help them reach their goals; 
• Celebrate student accomplishments; and 
• Share assessments of how the Department has done this work 

Arts Education

The Program Coordinator for Arts Education advises Barnard-recognized student groups that self-identify under the larger umbrella arts education. This includes performance arts groups, visual arts groups, and groups that have an arts education focus. Additionally, the Program Coordinator coordinates arts education programming, including the annual Arts Education Week and ongoing Arts Education programming.

Campus-Wide Programming

SEE supports campus-wide programming via the McIntosh Activities Council (McAC), a student-driven programming board responsible for upholding and celebrating Barnard traditions such as Big Sub, Midnight Breakfast, the Emily Gregory Ceremony, Spirit Week and the Barnard Greek games. The work of each functional area within the Department is designed for the entire campus community and programs, events, and activities can be found on the Department-supported online platform MillieLINK.

Glicker-Milstein Theatre (GMT)

The Glicker-Milstein Theatre is a flexible black box performance space located on Lower Level 2 of the Diana Center. It is available for programming year-round.  Priority access to the venue is given to the Barnard College Theatre Department and SGA/GBB-recognized organizations, though other departments may schedule it for their own productions.  The GMT facilitates the mission of Barnard College and Student Experience and Engagement by presenting enrichment opportunities through performances that are open to the student body and the College community. The Theatre Director is responsible for all facets of scheduling and programming in the GMT. 

Identity & Inclusion Initiatives  

The Program Coordinator for Identity & Inclusion advises Barnard recognized student groups that self-identify as cultural or identity-based groups. In collaboration with students and our partners at Columbia University, the Program Coordinator also supports heritage and cultural awareness programming, including Hispanic Heritage month, LGBTQ+ History Month, and Women’s History Month, among many others.

Leadership Programs

The College believes that leadership development doesn’t live in one specific area or department. In SEE, we recognize that leadership occurs in many settings. With this in mind, the Department is dedicated to identifying, reinforcing, and cultivating the skills that Barnard students need in order to be effective leaders on campus, in New York City, and throughout the world. We seek to accomplish this through signature initiatives which include the leadership program and workshops, lunches, and the Barnard Leadership Training (BLT),  as well as many programs in collaboration with other departments on campus. The office’s holistic approach embraces the potential of co-curricular leadership development which creates well-rounded students who are ready to be engaged members of society.

New Student Orientation Program (NSOP)

SEE coordinates both fall and spring New Student Orientation Programs that welcome and introduce first-year, transfer, visiting and international students to the College.  Building community is another essential part of this area which is primarily done through programming. On and off-campus programs are offered as ways of building relationships and gaining a sense of belonging at Barnard.

Recognized Club and Organization Support and Management 

In addition to the previously mentioned club and organization support, SEE serves as the primary support system for recognized student groups, assisting with everything from event planning, purchases, and organization management. SEE’s Program Coordinator for Campus Life and Student Groups advises the leaders of student groups that self-identify as social, service, and activism oriented. In coordination with the Associate Director, student leaders in clubs and organizations receive additional leadership development and support throughout their time at the College.