Office of Engineering Student Affairs
Engineering Student Affairs (ESA) provides programming and services to Undergraduate and Graduate Engineering students that support and enhance the student experience and success. ESA offers holistic guidance from orientation to graduation, including academic advising, class registration, and events that promote student life and wellness. Our office seeks to be your go-to resource for navigating Columbia University and assisting with any questions or challenges that arise during your time here. We look forward to meeting you!
Welcome to Columbia Engineering! My colleagues and I are here to support your academic, professional, and personal growth by connecting you to the wealth of resources available. From Welcome Day to Commencement - we are here every step of the way.
Meet a Few Members of the Engineering Student Affairs Team!

Charlene Bernasko
Associate Director of Graduate Student Wellness & Support Services
[email protected]
(Pronouns In Use: She/Her/Hers)
Areas of Responsibility:
- Lead on Graduate Student Mental Health and Wellness
- Graduate Student Wellness Programming and Education
- Liaison for Student Disability Services, Student Insurance, Columbia Health
- Student Support Initiatives

Helen Cen
Associate Director of Graduate Student Affairs
[email protected]
(Pronouns In Use: She/Her/Hers)
Areas of Responsibility
- Lead on Graduate Student Conduct + Academic Integrity
- Graduate Student Engagement
- Graduate Student Housing Liaison

Andy Chae
Director of Graduate Student Life
[email protected] (212) 854-6438
(Pronouns In Use: He/Him/His)
Areas of Responsibility:
- Lead on Graduate Student Life and Engagement
- Orientation and New Student Transition Programming
- ESA Signature Events
- Graduate Student Activities
- Engineering Class Day
- Student Leadership Development

April Neal
Graduate Student Affairs Officer
[email protected]
(Pronouns In Use: She/Her/Hers)
Areas of Responsibility
- Engineering Class Day
- University Commencement
- Engineering Wellness Mental Health Check-Ins
- Graduate Student Conduct
- Graduate Student Life and Engagement
- Fall and Spring Orientation
- Graduation Approvals

Helena Vaquera
Graduate Student Life Officer
[email protected]
(Pronouns In Use: She/Her/Hers)
Areas of Responsibility
- Primary Engineering Wellness Contact for Disability Accommodations
- Graduate Student Life and Wellness Operations
- External Vendor Management
- Cross-Cultural Programming
- Graduate Student Affairs Programming Coordination

Priscilla Yuen
Associate Director of Doctoral Affairs
[email protected]
(Pronouns In Use: She/Her/Hers)
Areas of Responsibility
- Lead on Doctoral Affairs
- Doctoral Fieldwork Approvals
- Graduate Student Conduct
- Graduation Approvals

Christian Hernandez
Graduate Student Life Officer
(Pronouns In Use: He/Him/His)
Areas of Responsibility
- Respond to student inquiries
- Administrative support
- Graduate Student Life and Engagement
Enrollment Services and Operations Team

Alexis Moore
Director of Enrollment Services and Operations
[email protected]
(Pronouns In Use: She/Her/Hers)
Areas of Responsibility:
- Lead on Enrollment Services and Operations
- Student Registration
- Change of Status Processes
- Graduation Approvals
- Committee on Instruction
- Accreditation

Jackie Camacho
Assistant Director of Academic Administration
[email protected]
(Pronouns In Use: She/Her/Hers)
Areas of Responsibility:
- SEAS Bulletin
- Classroom Assignment
- Graduation Approvals
- Course Planning & Management
- Registrar's Office Liaison
- Accreditation

Davey Souffront
Enrollment Services and Operations Officer
[email protected]
(Pronouns In Use: He/Him/His)
Areas of Responsibility:
- Student Registration
- Enrollment Verification
- Change of Status Processes
- Graduation Approvals
- Orientation Tutorials
Graduate Assistants
Our Graduate Assistants are crucial members of the ESA team, helping every day with the planning and execution of events related to graduate student life. As graduate students themselves, they offer a unique perspective on supporting our population.

Abbas Abbasov
Academic Administration
(Pronouns In Use: He/Him/His)
Ph.D. Student in Comparative and International Education, Teachers College

Sa'adat Mohammed
GA, Community, Equity, and Engagement
(Pronouns In Use: She/Her/Hers
MA in International Educational Development, Teacher’s College ‘23
Business Hours and Contact Information
BUSINESS HOURS
Monday to Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MAILING ADDRESS
500 West 120th Street
530 S.W. Mudd Building MC# 4708
New York, NY 10027
LOCATION
Office of Engineering Student Affairs | Suite 530 (Fifith Floor) S.W. Mudd Building
WORRIED ABOUT A STUDENT?
Community members may use this form to report a general concern to the university (e.g., well-being, potential policy violation, disruptive behaviors, etc.).
ENGINEERING WELLNESS
The Columbia Engineering Community recognizes student health and well-being as a foundation for student formation, reflecting the integration of intellectual, spiritual, and social development.
HAVE AN EMERGENCY?
Call Public Safety at (212) 854-5555