Two graduating seniors in the 2025 Sustainability Class won the Gaffin Award for their leadership and service on and off campus. The award commemorates Stuart Gaffin, who taught the Sustainability Symposium between 2009 and 2019 and demonstrates his contribution to the Columbia University community by recognizing leadership, engagement, dedication, and influence the spirit of sustainability.
Harrison Gerson and Emine Taha have illustrated this spirit throughout their four years in Colombia, taking on educational leadership roles in the classroom, contributing to the clubs on campus, and providing lasting contributions to the peers through understanding leadership and lasting contributions, as well as lasting contributions to the Sustainable Development (SDEV) Division (SDEV) Division. We caught up with the winners to learn about their experiences in the program and what’s next after graduation.
Harrison Gerson’s Q&A
Originally from Rockland County, New York, Gerson is also home to the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, occupying a sustainable major in Columbia College’s Hispanic culture. Gerson is attracted by interdisciplinary approaches and influence what the field of sustainable development can offer. He is passionate about the resolution of circular economy, sustainable tourism and climate conflicts. Outside the classroom, Gerson enjoys dancing, playing piano, learning languages, gardening and traveling.
In addition to receiving the Addition Award, Gerson is recognized for his academic achievements and undergraduate thesis work as a recipient of the Department of Sustainable Development Honors Award.
Currently, Gerson is consulting multiple sustainability projects. He is publishing a chapter on managing the urban circular economy of Barnard College’s Office of Sustainability and working with the Laidlaw Scholarship Foundation to develop and implement sustainability plans. Gerson plans to pursue a master’s degree in environmental policy.
How did you grow into a leader throughout your journey in Colombia?
I learned how leadership happens from the front, back, side and back. As I entered my final years, I stepped down from executive leadership positions and was honored to look at the leaders of my peers. This has brought me a lot of fun to watch and guide their success.
What leadership achievements are you most proud of?
I am most proud to work with the Sustainability Program to develop a new Sustainability Student Union that brings students closer to our faculty and staff and provides excellent resources for peer mentoring and the community. I am also proud of the work my Sustainability Development Hat team has done for Cape May Point Science Center. Being a project manager at the pinnacle allowed me to really understand and support my peers.
Beyond this program, I am proud of my influence, a special interest focused on social justice. During my three years as a resident, I hosted over 250 attendees to cross-cultural Sabbath suppers. Many people support this activity in the SDEV program, which means a lot to me.
What extracurricular activities do you engage in except in the classroom?
I co-led the Sustainable Student Union and lived in the Intercultural House for three years. I served as Vice President of the Columbia Linguistics Club and played Glockenspiel and tenor drums for Pep Band. I also dance in Barnard, hip hop, African and modern dance and do acrobatics with the Colombian Circus!
What do you want SDEV freshmen to know when leaving Colombia?
They should have fun in the classroom and outside. My best learning happens when I enjoy my classroom work and apply my experience through my contributions to my work and global sustainability activities.
What are you most excited about after graduation?
I feel like I can fully explore myself because I want to go beyond the educational environment and I am very happy to make choices that will impact the world and life!
Q&A with Emine Taha
Taha grew up in Istanbul, Turkey, and then moved to New York to attend Columbia University. She first developed an interest in the sustainability of secondary schools, engaging in sustainability efforts through writing, taking personal actions and helping her peers reduce their environmental impact. This interest only grows over time, leading to Taha as a Grand Slam. Outside of class, Taha also likes pottery and open water swimming.
Last month, Taha had the opportunity to celebrate her graduation from Columbia with her sister Iman, who completed her studies at Barnard.
Taha is most excited to explore Washington, D.C. in the coming months, where she will work as an energy analyst at the Brattle Group. She will focus on energy and electricity market projects – building models, conducting research and helping experts prepare reports for legal and policy cases.
How did you grow into a leader throughout your journey in Colombia?
To be a leader in Colombia, you must know when to stand up for yourself and strengthen when opportunities arise. I consistently filled the gaps in the need I saw and was encouraged to play a bigger role, thus gaining one of my first leadership roles. Navigating this transition requires taking my standpoint, having an open, respectful conversation to find solutions that make sense for the team.
On many committees, I’m usually the smallest or least experienced person in the room, but I learned that leadership is about being prepared, communicating clearly and knowing the value you bring. You don’t have to have the greatest experience to be effective; you just need strong arguments, willingness to listen, and confidence to represent your point of view.
What leadership achievements are you most proud of?
After a few months of my tenure, we served on the Columbia University Impact Investment Network (CUIIN), and we unexpectedly lost a club member and dear friend Sam Terblanche. It was a very difficult time and I initially considered resigning, but I chose to stay and lead the club in a way that respects his spirit and values. We work with the Sustainable Student Union to take up space for the SDEV community and honor him at large club events throughout the year. Personally, I will support young students’ top priority, which is very important.
What extracurricular activities do you engage in except in the classroom?
I participated in Cuiin as a freshman and first joined their ESG analyst program. I taught the program the following year and then became the president of Cuiin in my junior year. During my sophomore summer, I became a social impact researcher in Colombia, completing a one-year program. I am a member of the Social Responsibility Advisory Committee for my junior and senior year and worked in the waste and reuse think tank during my junior year spring.
I have also contributed to the Consilience Sustainability Journal, is a consultant to consult your community, worked as a social media manager at GSAPP’s Natural Materials Laboratory, and assisted with Lynnette Widder and Greg Yetman in their research.
What is your favorite course in your sustainability program? Why?
My favorite course is climate change and law taught by Michael Gerrard. It gives me a very necessary understanding of international climate policy and the U.S. climate landscape, which allows me to better understand the implications of climate policy decisions. This has also helped me a lot in many of my interviews.
What advice do you have for students who want to complete a sustainable development program?
There are many ways you can use within the professional, and I recommend you browse and figure out your interests early on your course list. Additionally, the Balance Skills course is with courses that you have an in-depth understanding of the topics you are interested in. Talk to SDEV alumni and seniors who work in your field of interest to find out which courses are most helpful to them.
SDEV opens a lot of doors and there is a great department behind you to support you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, make sure to attend department events to get closer to your peers and remember that your professor is here to help you!
