The David Bartsch and Joan Haffenreffer Bartsch Fellows to the UCGT

Each year, UCGT Fellows work alongside the faculty and staff of the CGT to lead and help cultivate the Undergraduate Committee, and to plan events and initiatives specifically for undergraduates, such as workshops related to the World Leaders Forums, “Talks With Professors,” “Global Thought Labs,” and so on.  Fellows also contribute to the expansion of the undergraduate Global Thought curriculum.

Responsibilities of the Fellows include:

  • Helping to convene and lead the Undergraduate Committee on Global Thought;
  • Raising awareness of UCGT initiatives among undergraduates of the four schools;
  • Helping to plan, organize, and run UCGT events;
  • Serving in an advisory capacity concerning other undergraduate initiatives of the CGT, including curriculum development and Global Thought Experience.

Fellows are selected through the following process:

  • Nominations are accepted in November for fellowships beginning in January. Self-nominations are accepted;
  • Candidates are interviewed by faculty and staff of the CGT;
  • The Fellows are announced in mid-January, at which point the previous Fellows will work with the new appointees for a transitional period;
  • Fellowship terms last for approximately one calendar year (January to January)

2020 Fellows

David Chen is a sophomore at Columbia College studying economics and pursuing the pre med track. He is interested in global health policy and geopolitical issues. Beyond UCGT, David is a resident advisor for first year students in John Jay Hall and enjoys singing acapella music with his group The Columbia Clefhangers.

Beom Joon Baek is a junior at Columbia College studying computer science and physics. Coming from Seoul, South Korea, Joon took two years off after his freshman year to serve in the Republic of Korea Army. He served at the Joint Security Area along the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea, performing his duties as a part of the security detail for high profile VIP visitors like the Secretary of State and IMF Managing Director. After getting discharged from the army, Joon returned to Columbia in Fall 2018. He currently serves as the international student representative for the Columbia College Student Council, voicing international student’s problems on visa requirements, academic accommodations, and xenophobia. He also is on the Committee on the Core Curriculum as the student representative. His extracurricular involvements include his role as an actor and treasurer for the Latenite Theater Group, a camp counselor for the non-profit Camp Kesem, and a brother of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Academic-wise, he is a John Jay National Scholar, and served as a Kraft Global Fellow for Spring 2019.