The John Jay Scholars Program, named after Founding Father John Jay CC 1764, provides financial support and academic programming for outstanding first-years entering Columbia College.
The program is designed to promote intellectual growth, leadership development and global awareness — all John Jay Scholars have the opportunity to explore experiential education by doing internships and independent research anywhere in the world. During their first year, each scholar participates in the Columbia Journey Seminar, which gives them the opportunity to reflect on their time of transition and to consider the role of studying at the College. Scholars also have access to panels, discussions and presentations led by leading professors and professionals from a variety of fields.
John Jay Scholars — who come under the auspices of the broader Columbia Undergraduate Scholars Program (CUSP) — distinguish themselves through the originality and independence of their thinking, their rich and varied record of accomplishments, and their potential to contribute to society in a meaningful way. Here, four current scholars share their journeys and reflect on what the program means to them.
Emma Asher
Chuanji “Joseph” Wang CC’29 still remembers the surprise of discovering, along with his acceptance letter to Columbia, the invitation to be a John Jay Scholar.
“NYC was already an inspiring prospect, with all the different cultures interacting,” Wang says. “But this was extra incentive. I was really drawn by the opportunity to do research; I love asking interesting questions and problem solving.”
Wang, who was born in Shanghai and grew up in Bedford, Mass., and Vancouver, intends to major in applied math and has already joined the Undergraduate Math Society. His passion for numbers, however, is matched by another on the musical side of life: for the cello. Wang performs with the Columbia University Orchestra and is part of a chamber music group through the Music Performance Program (they will perform in Carnegie Hall in April).
“Music has been a constant driver in my life,” says Wang, who has played since he was 7. “It brings me so much perspective in how I view the world.”
Though he’s in only his second semester at the College, Wang says, being a Jay Scholar has already been an enriching experience. He references the Columbia Journey Seminar, taken by all Jay Scholar first-years. “I’ve met so many people with different backgrounds, but [they’re] all equally driven and passionate.” He notes that the peer oral history project was especially eye-opening. “We broke into small groups and interviewed each other. Everyone’s stories incorporated aspects of passion, courage, integrity, humility and sacrifice. It was so moving and insightful.”
Their stories also contribute to Wang’s sense of his place within a bigger picture: “It’s humbling to think of the lineage of John Jay Scholars before me,” he says. “It makes me ask, what can I contribute that would be meaningful to me and to the rest of the world?”
EMMA ASHER
Trey Norman CC’28 has known he’s wanted to study pre-med since eighth grade, after a chance encounter at a football game in his tiny hometown of Willard, Mo. A friend who was interested in radiology “described it for me, and then I did more research,” Norman says. “I realized that was something I was really interested in, too.”
Now he’s about to declare a major in neuroscience and plans to head to medical school. This semester Norman is doing malaria research at the Fidock Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center; he’s also involved with health-related clubs including CU Red Cross and is establishing a College chapter of Youth Health Focus. Among his other interests, Norman helped fellow students register to vote in the last election through CU College Democrats.
Norman was able to do research at a local university near his home in Missouri last summer with help from the Summer Enhancement Fellowship (SEF). “I worked with a biochemistry professor who I had previously done research with in high school, and it was great,” he says. “SEF allowed me to participate in an unpaid opportunity that otherwise would have been financially unfeasible for me.”
Norman found the Journey seminar “productive and insightful” — “It was so interesting to have conversations led by people who had similar passions and were so well educated,” he says. The CUSP Distinguished Speaker Series was also particularly meaningful. “Last semester we had a conversation with a doctor who was focused on reproductive health,” Norman says. “I don’t know how else I would have heard someone at that level tell us about things she’s been working on for decades — the policies that her research has influenced as well as what our next steps might be. It was so helpful!”
He says he is grateful to have two more years as a Scholar ahead. “Being declared a John Jay Scholar just doesn’t happen where I’m from — it’s rare that anyone even applies to schools out of state,” Norman says. “I did a lot and tried really hard in high school; that someone saw the potential in me is very rewarding. Honestly, it’s been unreal.”
EMMA ASHER
Parizoda Asatilloyeva CC’27’s dream of one day studying at a world-renowned institution came true in dramatic fashion: She is the only student from her native Uzbekistan to ever receive a full-aid scholarship to attend the College.
With a double major in political science and statistics (along with a minor in sustainable development), Asatilloyeva has her sights set on the Law School. “The law is extremely intertwined with politics, and I grew up in a very political environment,” she says. “My family members have always pushed me to question the system, question what’s happening in the world.”
Asatilloyeva has been grateful to exercise that kind of critical thinking in her Core Curriculum classes; her home city of Samarkand didn’t offer any opportunities for liberal arts education. “The Core has been a great foundation for me; not only to read all those works, but the diversity of thought — to have discussions with people from so many different backgrounds.”
As a John Jay Scholar, Asatilloyeva was recently able to intern at Voice of America in Washington, D.C., through SEF. “It was so interesting to learn about the VoA team’s experiences, especially about delivering information about international politics from an American perspective,” she says. “It was amazing to put into practice all the political theory I’ve studied here.”
Asatilloyeva has immersed herself in the Columbia community as a member of the Pre-Law Society and as co-founder of the Central Asian Society. And she has enjoyed regularly taking part in John Jay Scholars programming, including a tour of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the CUSP speaker series, and opportunities to connect with faculty. “Through the program, I got a chance to interview my Lit Hum professor, Dhananjay Jagannathan,” Asatilloyeva says. “It was an exceptional experience; we were able to build a genuine bond.”
She says the first-year Journey seminar was especially meaningful. “With the fast pace of the academic culture at Columbia, it’s really worthwhile to be able to pause and reflect,” Asatilloyeva says.
EMMA ASHER
For Antonia Casariego CC’26, speaking just months before graduation, it’s easy to name the most meaningful part of being a John Jay Scholar: the community. “The program has given me a real sense of belonging within the University,” she says.
Casariego came to NYC from La Paloma, a small beachside town in Uruguay. “I wanted to be everything,” she says with a laugh. “Columbia seemed like it would provide me the space to explore.” Getting used to the pace, the crowds and the all-around pitch of activity was a big adjustment, she adds, but exciting. The John Jay program “helped with my transition by giving me a smaller, more grounded space within a much bigger university and city. It helped me find my footing both academically and personally.”
Her mentor through the program, Lauren Horst GSAS’23, was a “defining figure” her first year. “She inspired me to move through college with grace and intelligence, to pursue and dive into my interests and to always be kind,” Casariego says.
Indeed, though she originally planned to study astrophysics, Casariego discovered a love for computer science (now her major) and opted for a visual arts minor. She joined Hoot, a fashion, art and culture magazine; participated in Barnard | Columbia Design for America; and had two internships in product design with the tech startup Recurrency. (She plans to pursue a career at the intersection of technology, design and product development.)
Casariego also points to the CUSP Distinguished Speaker Series, which invites leaders from different fields to speak to Columbia’s named scholars, as a highlight. “It felt like a different and personal way to connect with professionals and academics,” she says.
Considering the whole of her John Jay experience, Casariego returns to the benefits of the community: “They really value curiosity, depth and reflection,” she says. “Having this space where I’ve felt encouraged to think critically about my work, my goals and the place that I occupy at Columbia and in the world — and having an opportunity to learn from mentors, peers and professionals from all fields — has given me perspective that will shape my thinking even after I graduate.”