Whether you are a manager by day and a master’s student by night, a professional seeking networking opportunities across industries, or a lifetime learner, the School of Professional Studies is convening leading academics and industry experts to inspire, enlighten, and call to action. See what’s in store this term at SPS.
Events for Everyone
Various Dates | Get a Jump on Your Studies with Columbia Summer
Learn from senior faculty members across Columbia University and diversify your academic experience with Columbia Summer. Columbia offers hundreds of courses in more than 50 subject areas, ranging from Business and UN Studies to languages and Arts in the Summer. Preview Columbia Summer courses in one of several info sessions starting this week.
Monday, March 8 - Friday, March 26, 2021, Various Times | Frame Your Future Event Series
This March, SPS will host a series of multi-disciplinary conversations where practitioners, thought leaders, academics, and innovators in 17 fields of study and professional practice probe pivotal questions shaping business and commerce, science and technology, governance, culture, and society today.
Current faculty, alumni, and guest speakers will share current experiences from the field and insights from deep academic inquiry, offering a window into theory and practice in key professional and employment arenas. These conversations are essential for anyone wishing to advance or change the course of their careers. The series will culminate with a school-wide Open House designed for attendees, including prospective students, to learn more about course content and application procedures for M.S. and M.P.S. programs offered by SPS. Stay tuned for details. Visit the Frame Your Future event series page to RSVP for one or more sessions.
Tuesday, January 26 – Friday, January 29, Various Times | Global Career Week featuring Bloomberg, BNP Paribas, PwC, and Santander Chile
Meet and network with recruiters from nearly 30 employers based in Latin America, China, India, and Canada to learn about their companies and the competencies and kind of people they hire. Open exclusively to SPS students and alumni, Global Career Week consists of region-specific fairs, starting with Latin America on Jan. 26th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. ET on Zoom. See the full list of dates and register here.
Wednesday, January 27, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET | Automation & Design: How to Avoid a Deeper Digital Divide
Automating design for the customer, user and citizen’s digital experiences will do one of two things: either lead to the greatest set of personal freedoms experienced in our lifetimes or encode biases, disempowerment, and inequity into the very fabric of our increasingly digital lives. Join the Strategic Communication M.S. program for a webinar featuring Howard Pyle, Senior Vice President in MetLife’s Global Brand and Founder of ExperienceFutures.org, and Ethan McCarty, Founder and CEO of Integral and Strategic Communication Lecturer, as they discuss the moral imperative facing designers. RSVP here.
Wednesday, February 3, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. ET | February Virtual Narrative Medicine Rounds with André Aciman
Join the Narrative Medicine M.S. program for their monthly guest speaker series featuring American memoirist, essayist, novelist, and scholar André Aciman. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Aciman is the New York Times bestselling author of Call Me by Your Name and Find Me as well as of Out of Egypt and Eight White Nights, Harvard Square, False Papers and Alibis. Aciman will discuss his latest collection of essays, Homo Irrealis, a deep reflection of the imagination’s power to shape our memories under time’s seemingly intractable hold. Michael Gately, Assistant Director of Administration for the Narrative Medicine M.S. program, will moderate the conversation. RSVP here and bookmark Narrative Medicine Events for the next Rounds.
Narrative Medicine Rounds are held on the first Wednesday of the month, hosted by the Division of Narrative Medicine in the Department of Medical Humanities and Ethics at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Listen to a podcast of past Rounds on iTunes or watch recent ones on YouTube.
Thursday, February 11, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. ET | Nonprofit Policy and Advocacy in Action: The Path Ahead
The turbulence and unrest of the 2020 election cycle will continue to impact communities throughout the United States and the nonprofit sector well into the future. How should the nonprofit sector forge ahead with new state and federal legislative agendas, with newly retooled policy priorities, and with eyes on the prize of meeting their missions?
Hear how guest speakers Sue Santa, Vice President Public Policy & Advocacy at the Girl Scouts of the USA; Sandra G. Swirski, Partner & Co-founder, Urban Swirski & Associates; Janine Lee, President & CEO of the Southeastern Council of Foundations; and Jan Masaoka, Chief Executive Officer of the California Association of Nonprofits, are analyzing their strategic goals, next steps, and lessons learned, even as the 2022 and 2024 election cycles already are underway. Cindy M. Lott, Esq., Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Academic Director of the M.S. Nonprofit Management Program, will moderate. This is the final workshop in the 2020 Election Series hosted by the M.S. Nonprofit Management Program and co-developed by Sue Santa and Sandra G. Swirski. RSVP here.
Wednesday, February 17, 1:00 p.m. ET | Wealth Management Today and Tomorrow—Global Trends and Opportunities featuring Anna Zakrzewski
Save the date for this semester’s first event in the Wealth Management Virtual Fireside Chat series, featuring Anna Zakrzewski, Managing Director and Partner of Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Join Zakrzewski and Wealth Management advisor Philipp Hecker as they discuss the drivers of global wealth, the impact of COVID-19 on clients, and key areas where advisors will differentiate in the future. Bookmark the Wealth Management Speaker Series for future events.
Thursday, February 18, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. ET | Celebrate Black History: Black Philanthropy from Jim Crow to Today
Madam C.J. Walker is known as the first self-made millionaire woman in the U.S. But she was also devoted to activist philanthropy aimed at empowering African Americans and challenging the injustices inflicted by Jim Crow. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about Walker’s philanthropy and lessons to apply today, featuring Dr. Tyrone McKinley Freeman, Assistant Professor of Philanthropic Studies and author of Madam C.J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving, and Nonprofit Management lecturer Dr. Greg Witowski. RSVP here and explore additional events offered by the M.S. Nonprofit Management program.
Fridays at 9 a.m. ET, January 16 - April 16 | Coding for Risk Management Workshops
Learn Excel, VBA, R, Python, SQL, and GitHub programming languages. Enterprise Risk Management students who complete this content may enroll in the Coding for Risk Management course. See the dates and topics for each workshop.
Events & Opportunities for Students
Friday, January 29, 2021, 9:00 a.m. ET | Student Town Hall
Hear updates from senior leadership and student government about the spring semester. You may submit questions in advance with registration. Pre-register here.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021, 5:00 p.m. ET | Talking with Troy
This small group event will provide an informal setting where M.S. and M.P.S. students can get to know SPS Interim Dean Troy Eggers, ask questions, and enjoy conversation. Space is limited. Registered students will be entered in a lottery, and those selected to attend will be contacted directly with virtual event information. Register here by Wednesday, January 27th.
SPS Peer Tutoring for Students
The SPS Peer Tutoring Program provides free academic support for virtual one-on-one sessions to build knowledge and proficiency in a variety of subjects. Students can make a tutoring appointment in English language writing and speaking. Additional tutoring subjects will become available in the coming weeks. Register for a tutor here.
Apply to Create a New Student Club this Spring
Wednesday, January 27th is the deadline to apply for Spring 2021 new student organization applications. Apply here.
Wellness Resources
Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. ET, Jan. 21 - April 1 | ERM Mindfulness Seminars
Explore techniques for experiencing the present moment with increased acceptance, nurturing curiosity, and promoting collaboration. All are welcome to join the Enterprise Risk Management program for this weekly seminar. RSVP for the next seminar on Thursday, Jan. 28, and see additional dates and topics.
Wellness Check-Ins
Schedule a wellness check-in with the Associate Director of Wellness to discuss individualized ways to support your well-being.
Join a Support Group
Discover the rich and varied support groups available through Columbia Health.
