“I feel that I am now far more socially conscious due to the introspection that Columbia fosters on themes such as identity, civic responsibility, community engagement and social inclusion. This school has really forced me to become more confident, resilient, assertive and adaptable, and to become a better leader.

“Through my experience at Columbia and with New York as a whole, I learned from people from all walks of life. I was able to learn from different cultures, viewpoints and experiences that helped to challenge me and develop myself fully.

“I would like to send a big ‘Congratulations!’ to my classmates, and to remind them to invest in what they would like to see changed in the world around them. They are very passionate, dedicated people, and I know they have the skills to accomplish significant milestones: Congrats, Class of 2020!”

“I will always credit Columbia with honing my sense of civic purpose. I have discussed and debated citizenship and social responsibility in my Core classes, especially Contemporary Civilization. I have listened to incredible speakers — political leaders, organizers and the like — through the on-campus organizations and event series like the World Leaders Forum. I have met so many people who passionately advocate for issues they care about. I’ve been inspired to do the same, and to make it my mission in life to break down barriers to civic engagement. Go vote.