Stephane Kakou

Stephane Kakou is a First-Year and Junior at Columbia GS majoring in Political Science–Statistics, with plans to minor in Sustainable Development or Anthropology. Originally from Côte d’Ivoire—the world’s leading cocoa producer—Stephane brings a global perspective shaped by resilience, service, and cross-cultural experience.

Fluent in French, English, and Spanish (with a growing interest in Italian), he loves genuine conversations and building connections across cultures. You will almost always see Stephane smiling—he genuinely loves people, no matter who you are, what you do, or where you’re from—and he encourages classmates to feel free to come talk to him anytime. Stephane is a passionate advocate grounded in the values of kindness, compassion, and humility. He believes that anyone can become an element of change if they discover their true purpose in life. His leadership journey reflects that conviction: among others experiences, he served as Student Body President at his previous institution, representing over 20,000 students, and he is the Founding President of UNIHEART Global, a youth-powered nonprofit uniting volunteers across more than 19 countries. He also volunteers with the Red Cross, extending his commitment to service beyond campus.
During his time in leadership, Stephane launched initiatives that addressed food insecurity, Domestic and International Students matters, strengthened student representation and school spirit, and created international opportunities for collaboration. His ability to unite people, paired with his innovative vision and nice personality, continues to inspire those around him.

Outside of leadership and academics, Stephane enjoys Latin music, Arts, playing tennis and badminton, and watching science fiction, adventure, and comedy movies when possible—reminders that balance, fun, and imagination are just as important as hard work. To end, his favorite colors are Orange and Baby-Blue.