Columbia College has appointed Kecia Hayes, a Teachers College alumna with more than 20 years of education experience, as the new executive director of the Roger Lehecka Double Discovery Center (DDC), a program that works to enhance higher education opportunities for local low-income and first-generation youth ages 12–27. DDC’s academic enrichment program, which serves approximately 1,000 students annually and has become a model for similar programs throughout the United States, focuses on ensuring high school graduation, college enrollment and completion, and responsible adulthood. Hayes will formally begin transitioning into her new role on Monday, January 29 and will be fully on board on Monday, February 19.

This year’s John Jay Award honorees have made a mark on the world of entertainment, finance, public service and beyond — and Columbia College will celebrate their professional achievements on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at the 40th annual John Jay Awards Dinner, which raises funds for the John Jay National Scholars Program.