Student Executives 2023

Nikka Afshar is a fourth year in the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and Sciences Po, where she majored in Political Humanities. At Columbia, she is currently majoring in Philosophy. Nikka was inspired to join Community Impact because of her previous work with foster youth in the Los Angeles County area. In her free time, Nikka likes roller skating and exploring the city. 

Christa Akerele is a sophomore at Columbia College who intends to major in Neuroscience and Behavior. Her work with Community Impact began her freshman year, volunteering as a tutor for One to One tutors and Project Tutors, programs she is excited to continue with throughout her undergraduate career. She also serves as a representative for the student body on the CI Program Committee. Outside of Community Impact, Christa is involved in the public health club, CU GlobeMed, and enjoys running and hiking.

Denise Altagracia Taveras is a second year at Columbia College hoping to major in psychology. She’s excited to work as the Resource Development Co-chair and continue the great work of Community Impact. Apart from being on the executive board, she is a part of America Reads and Counts and the Columbia Mentoring Initiative. 

Daniel Barth is a third year in the School of General Studies, in the joint program with the Jewish Theological Seminary, majoring in American history and Talmud. He is a member of Peace by PEACE as well as a member of the board of Community Impact. He has enjoyed the experience of volunteering for Peace by PEACE, which has enabled him to become an active member of the greater New York City community. Being on the board will allow him to have a larger impact on the Community Impact programs and volunteer groups while continuing to work directly in Peace by PEACE. More importantly, Community Impact has given him the opportunity to help his neighbors in Harlem and the greater Upper West Side area. He plans to pursue a career in public health following graduation from Columbia in May of 2024. 

Sunny Fang is a sophomore at Barnard College ('25) who intends to double major in Political Science and Data Science. She is excited to join CI's Resource Development team as the Data Collection and Analysis Officer. While reflecting upon ways to turn her personal experiences into impact, she has found a way to do so through the Asian Youth Program. Outside classes, you can find her editing/writing articles for the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review, experimenting with new recipes, or exploring the city. She also spends time learning about deliberative democracy as a mechanism to reflect population needs in the government. 

Paige Lawrie is a second year student in Columbia College who intends to major in Urban Studies. She began with Community Impact's GED Program last fall as a Program Specialist, and is excited to continue her work with the program and the upper Manhattan community throughout her time at Columbia. Outside of Community Impact, she is a part of several queer student groups, including serving on the board of the Columbia Queer Alliance.

Eric Mao is currently a third year at Columbia College,and is majoring in Biology. He enjoys listening to other people’s stories and experiences, and has found plenty of opportunities to do so at Community Impact through the Asian Youth Program. Outside of class, you might find him at CUMC conducting research, doing the daily NYT crossword, and reminiscing about the great weather and food from his native Houston. He is also involved in Columbia University Science Olympiad and the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee.

Esther Mojica is currently a sophomore (class of 2025) and is majoring in economics and minoring in education. She is excited to step into the role of junior treasurer for Community Impacts' student executive board. Apart from this, Esther is a tutor and treasurer coordinator for Community Impacts America Reads and Counts, which has enabled her to become an active member in the New York City community as a form of giving back and paying it forward.

Deborah Moreno Ornelas is a fourth year at Columbia College double majoring in Art History and Economics. In addition to serving on Community Impact’s student executive board, she is the lead coordinator of Artists Reaching Out, CI’s youth arts education program, and the Events Chair of Alianza, Columbia’s pan-Latinx student organization. Deborah was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, and loves to spend her free time visiting the city’s countless art museums and trying as many Hispanic restaurants as possible. 

Spencer Robbins is a sophomore in SEAS studying biomedical engineering. She began working through Community Impact as part of Project Tutors and is looking forward to serving Community Impact on the Outreach and Partnerships team. Outside of school, Spencer enjoys playing pickleball in central park and attempting new recipes. On campus, she participates in Reformed University Fellowship and plays for the Columbia women's soccer team. 

Moira Shoush is a third-year student in the Dual BA Program between Sciences PO and Columbia, where she majored in Politics and Government, with a concentration on the MENA region. At Columbia, she is majoring in Sociology. She was motivated to be a part of Community Impact because of her previous experiences participating in community service with migrants in France and at food banks in Philadelphia. In addition to being on the Executive Board, she is part of America Reads and Counts.