Council Member Directory - Cloned

William Luo is currently a junior at Columbia University’s School of General Studies, majoring in Political Science. Prior to attending Columbia, he served seven years on active duty in the United States Army, focusing on information and psychological operations. His academic interests focus on the impact of information and cognitive operations on national security and international relations. 

On campus, he is actively involved in supporting the student community through fundraisers, food drives, and building community events. Previously, he served as the Vice President of Campus Life, where he led event planning for the GS community.

He is also an engaged member of Columbia’s military and veteran community, having previously served as Secretary of MilVets while supporting initiatives that strengthen the campus veteran community. William currently serves as a Political Affairs Intern at the United States Permanent Mission to the United Nations under the Department of State.

Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, William enjoys skiing, traveling, and exploring new restaurants.

Nichakul or “Nicky” is a Thai student in the Dual BA Program with Sciences Po. She majors in Political Science and minors in Sustainable Development. A recipient of Thailand’s prestigious King’s Scholarship, her interests lie at the intersection of politics, communications, sustainability, and creative expression.

At Sciences Po, she served as Head of Communications for the Le Havre Campus Student Council. At Columbia, she joined the General Studies Student Council as Content Coordinator in 2025-2026. Now serving as GSSC’s Chief of Communications, she hopes to build on these experiences to make the Council’s communication engaging, accessible, and reflective of the diverse GS community.

Beyond academics and student government, Nicky has practiced traditional Thai dance professionally since the age of seven. She also enjoys creating content on social media and exploring how storytelling and digital platforms can bring people and communities together. As Chief of Communications, she looks forward to combining her creativity and experience to strengthen GSSC’s digital presence, amplify student voices, and help students feel more connected to their Council and one another.

Luis Villar is a Political Science major at Columbia University's School of General Studies, as well as a professional musical theater performer and dance educator. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Luis has spent the last decade in NYC performing in Broadway National Tours and working alongside renowned choreographers across the country. Today, he is proud to serve as a full-time faculty member at Broadway Dance Center.

As an immigrant, Luis has experienced firsthand the vital importance of building and maintaining strong global connections. His aim in studying political science is to contribute meaningfully to international relations and policy dialogues. When he isn't in class or serving on the Communication Committee, you can usually find him on stage at a local theater.

Senator Jolee A. Cobb is a rising senior in the School of General Studies pursuing a B.A. in Urban Studies. Originally from Orange County, California, she moved to New York City at 17 and brings more than a decade of experience to her academic and civic work. Before returning to higher education, Jolee spent ten years in the food and beverage industry, a background that informs her research into developing urban systems and balancing competing interests.

Jolee previously served on the General Studies Student Council as the First‑Generation, Low‑Income, Working Student Representative, where she advocated for resource expansion and policy transparency. Beyond Columbia, she has held leadership roles in local governance serving as a Board Member and later the Housing Committee Chair for Brooklyn Community Board 9.

As University Senator, Jolee is committed to strengthening GS representation within the broader university governance structure. Her priorities include improving communication channels between GS students and university leadership, ensuring student experiences inform policy decisions, and advancing resource distribution that reflects the realities of nontraditional, working, and justice‑impacted students. She aims to build bridges across the schools and elevate student‑driven solutions for a more equitable Columbia.

Hi everyone! My name is Ishan, and I am a senior on the Trinity College Dublin Dual BA program. I was born in London, and I have lived there my entire life. I am majoring in History, and trying to also complete a minor in Sustainable Development. I was on council last year as well, and I'm really looking forward to planning lots of events! 

Isabela is an International Student from Brazil who spent her teenage years in Nicaragua. In her previous life, she was a professional ballet dancer with the National Ballet Company of Nicaragua. In 2018 she moved to the US to escape the political conflicts of her country and dance with American Repertory Ballet in Princeton, NJ. Once realizing the lack of mental health support in the ballet world, she retired from dance, moved to Philadelphia and started studying Psychology at Rowan College at Burlington County. At Columbia she is pursuing a double major in Visual Arts and Cognitive Sciences with specialization in Psychology. Isabela loves to learn about different cultures and to talk about hospitality.  She is the founder of the International Students Club as well as the International Students Representative at GSSC and a peer advisor for GS. Outside of campus, she likes painting in the pier in Hoboken where she commutes from and to spend her time with her pets who will occasionally come to campus with her. Don't hesitate to contact her at any time.

Isabela is a first-generation Brazilian student at Columbia University’s School of General Studies and the former president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter at BMCC. As an English Literature major currently working at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, she hopes to bridge the communication gap between the humanities and the sciences.

At the heart of her work is a commitment to integration and to meeting people where they are, especially those whose paths do not fit traditional expectations. As a nontraditional student herself, Isabela understands the importance of creating spaces where students of different ages, personalities, experiences, and backgrounds feel welcomed, heard, and represented. As a current Millennium Fellow, in partnership with the United Nations Academic Impact, she leads a campus project aimed at addressing barriers between communities and educational spaces. Now, as a newly appointed member of the Communications Committee, she hopes to bring this perspective to the GS Student Council and strengthen communication between the Council and the diverse student community it serves.

Gavin Xue is a junior in the Dual BA Program between Columbia University and City University of Hong Kong, majoring in Financial Economics and Global Business. He is passionate about student advocacy and building inclusive communities.

This past year, Gavin served as Chief Policy Representative on GSSC's Policy Committee, where he led initiatives to expand funding opportunities for students. He is also the founder and president of the General Studies Business Society, Columbia's first pre-professional society for non-traditional students, and serves on the Student Governing Board and the Student Group Accountability Review Board. As Vice President of Policy, he looks forward to building on the committee's momentum with a focus on professional development, financial inclusion, and social integration.

Outside of GSSC, Gavin enjoys mixology, travel, and volunteering. He's always happy to help, so don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Etan Malka is currently a student at Columbia University's School of General Studies, majoring in Information Science, with plans to attend law school after graduating. Prior to attending Columbia, he served three years on active duty in the Israeli Defense Forces as a combat medic in a special forces unit, later transitioning into a logistics leadership role overseeing medical readiness for a roughly 100 person unit. This past summer, he interned at two venture capital firms in New York.

On campus, he is deeply engaged in Columbia's military veteran community, currently serving as Secretary of Columbia Military Veterans. He previously served as the organization's first International Veterans Representative, an outreach role in which he helped facilitate the inclusion of roughly 200 veterans from international backgrounds and expanded the Veteran Mentorship Program. He also serves as Columbia's sole delegate to Hillel International, representing the university's Jewish community at national summits and serving as student liaison to the Israeli Consulate.

Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Etan enjoys bodybuilding, scuba diving, and playing bass.

Erik Rogel is a Junior majoring in Economics-Political Science with a minor in Computer Science. He transferred from the Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY), where he built the foundation for his current academic path.

Before Columbia, Erik spent over a decade in operations and fulfillment leadership, mostly building and scaling early-stage companies. Across those roles he owned the financial side of operations, budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and unit economics. At one startup he moved contribution margin from negative to +40 percent while cutting per-unit labor cost by 78 percent, the kind of hands-on budget and margin work he now brings to the council's finances.

Recently, he completed a federal software development internship at the National Reconnaissance Office, where alongside his work with in-orbit vehicles he took part in contract and budgeting strategy sessions to keep projects funded across fiscal calendars.

Originally from Chicago and in New York since 2013, Erik is drawn to work that is both novel and systems focused. As VP of Finance, he is focused on transparent, disciplined stewardship of GSSC's resources on behalf of the GS student body.

Ben Kuleshov is a junior studying Political Science at Columbia University's School of General Studies (GS), having transferred from Brookdale Community College in New Jersey.

​He serves as the Vice President of Campus Life for the General Studies Student Council (GSSC). Ben served as the GSSC Transfer Student Representative last year.

​Outside of the GSSC Ben is a member of the Ski and Snowboard Club and a photographer for the Sundial. Ben enjoys visiting local jazz clubs, surfing, and backpacking in his free time.

Amanda Magee, Vice President of Communications, is studying Political Science at the School of General Studies at Columbia University. With a background as a professional choreographer and dancer at institutions like Alvin Ailey, Sidra Bell Dance New York, and in various productions at Lincoln Center, she has developed a strong foundation in creativity, discipline, and collaboration.

Amanda is currently an intern at Avy Kaufman Casting and working with the Choreographers Guild. Amanda hopes to go to law school after graduation to become an entertainment lawyer. 

In her free time, she also enjoys playing the guitar, painting, and seeing her friends.

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