Dual BA Program Between Columbia University and Sciences Po

As a political science major from Strasburg, France, Apolline Ancel ‘26GS knew that her international background would serve as the foundation for her interdisciplinary approach to research, ultimately leading her to take classes through Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and produce original research about how technology can aid democracy in the modern day.

Read more about her passions for research and building a thriving community at GS!

Fast Five: Apolline Ancel ‘26GS Shares Her Interdisciplinary Journey from Politics to Democracy in the Digital Age | School of General Studies Profile Fast Five: Apolline Ancel ‘26GS Shares Her Interdisciplinary Journey from Politics to Democracy in the Digital Age The senior comments on her experience in the Columbia Dual BA Program with Sciences Po that led her to researching how technology can support democracy. December 22, 2025 Whil...

After completing his civic engagement project (Parcours Civique), Dual BA student Victor Tong ‘26GS realized that adopting a sustainable development major at GS would be the ideal way to actualize his lifelong aspirations. Equipped with hands-on sustainability experience and a growing passion for climate law, Victor was recently named a LEAD Fellow at Columbia Law School. With graduation on the horizon, he shares how the Dual BA Program has helped him transform passion into a future career!

Access denied | SPO Dual BA

Hear from Daniel Nothaft ’15GS, the founder and CEO of Uplift Geosystems. After graduating from the Sciences Po and Columbia University Dual BA Program, Daniel now leads his own startup with the goal of “making critical materials more affordable, accessible, and less carbon-emitting.”

Nothaft credits the Sciences Po curriculum with broadening his perspective and giving him the academic flexibility to explore the intersection of the natural and social sciences. Before enrolling at Sciences Po, most of the programs he considered focused exclusively on the natural sciences. The Dual BA allowed him to delve more deeply into the humanities and social science foundations that shape how societies function. https://bit.ly/48sBrFq

Daniel Nothaft (‘15): Climate Tech CEO Connecting Science and Society Daniel Nothaft has spent the past decade studying and effecting change within the space of science, society, and sustainability. He is the founder of Uplift Geosystems, a climate technology startup working on carbon storage and sustainable metal products.

Congratulations to Elyse Demkiw ‘26GS and Sofia Houir ‘26GS, who have been named Columbia Institute of Global Politics (IGP) Scholars!

Selected from a highly competitive applicant pool, Elyse and Sofia will work alongside peers from Columbia GS, other Columbia undergraduate schools, Columbia Law School, and Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) to address the most pressing international challenges of our time with the mentorship of expert faculty and global leaders.

Five GS Students Named Columbia Institute of Global Politics (IGP) Student Scholars | School of General Studies School News Five GS Students Named Columbia Institute of Global Politics (IGP) Student Scholars Elyse Demkiw ‘26GS, Hunter Doradea ‘26GS, Garrett Gregor-Splaver ‘26GS, Sofia Houir ‘26GS, and Tooli Shariah ‘26GS are part of the sophomore cohort of IGP Student Scholars. August 26, 2025 Clock...

When asked to share her GS story in one sentence, Francesca Gilbard ‘26GS replied, “despite no one in my family speaking French, I grew up going to a French school in Texas, my high school summers abroad evolving into a +33 phone number and a Sciences Po student ID!”

Francesca shares her Dual BA experience, plus her recent time interning with NBCUniversal’s “Nightly News,” in our Q&A!

Fast Five: Francesca Gilbard ‘26GS on Finding Her Voice at NBC | School of General Studies Profile Fast Five: Francesca Gilbard ‘26GS on Finding Her Voice at NBC A rising senior in the Dual BA Program with Sciences Po, Francesca Gilbard ‘26GS reflects on her cross-cultural journey, her summer internship with NBC's Nightly News, and how speaking up in the newsroom has shaped her growth...

On August 25, Columbia University GS proudly welcomed nearly 700 incoming students at Convocation. Acting President Claire Shipman, Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch, and GS leaders celebrated the diverse journeys that led our newest GSers here—and the shared values of Curiosity, Kindness, and Community that will guide them forward.

From military veterans and first-generation students to international scholars and students pursuing second degrees, the Fall 2025 class embodies the resilience, creativity, and determination that make GS unlike any other college in the Ivy League.

Welcome to Columbia, GSers—you are now part of a legacy that redefines what it means to be a student at Columbia. 💙🦉

A Tapestry of Stories: GS Welcomes Its Newest Students at Convocation | School of General Studies School News A Tapestry of Stories: GS Welcomes Its Newest Students at Convocation The newest GSers were encouraged to embrace their nontraditional backgrounds and carry forward GS’s tradition of redefining what it means to be a Columbia student. August 29, 2025 Columbia GS recently welcomed nearly...

🎓 Yesterday we celebrated the incredible achievements of the Columbia University GS Class of 2025! Your resilience, determination, and brilliance have brought you to this moment—and we couldn’t be prouder. Here's to everything you’ve accomplished and all the adventures ahead.

Congratulations, graduates! 🦉💙�

🎓 Meet the Columbia University GS Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian! 🦉

👨‍🎓 Valedictorian: Peter Gorman '25GS
A Dublin Native and Dual BA Program between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University student, Peter studied neuroscience at Columbia and biomedical sciences at Trinity. A Trinity Foundation Scholar, Bancroft Research Scholar, and winner of the Bridges and Sturtevant Prize, Peter graduates summa cm laude and will pursue a DPhil in neuroscience at Oxford University.

👨‍🎓 Salutatorian: Guthrie Amanuel Petteys '25GS
From rural Oregon to the Ivy League, Guthrie’s journey to GS is a powerful testament to resilience. He studied sociology, interned at the Manhattan DA’s Post-Conviction Justice Unit, and graduates summa cm laude. He’s preparing for the LSAT and plans to become a public defender in his hometown.

Read more: https://bit.ly/44wl3SN

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced for GS Class Day | School of General Studies School News Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced for GS Class Day Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Columbia GS Class of 2025, as well as the School’s Baccalaureate speakers. This year’s valedictorian is Peter Gorman. This year’s salutatorian is Gut...

We’re thrilled to announce that acclaimed dancer, scholar, educator, and Artistic Director designate of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Alicia Graf Mack ‘03GS, will deliver the keynote address at Columbia University GS Class Day on Monday, May 19!

Alicia, an esteemed member of the GS Board of Visitors, made history as the youngest and first Black Dean and Director of The Juilliard School Dance, a position she has held since 2018.

Acclaimed Dancer and Educator Alicia Graf Mack ’03GS to Deliver Keynote Address at Columbia GS Class Day | School of General Studies School News Acclaimed Dancer and Educator Alicia Graf Mack ’03GS to Deliver Keynote Address at Columbia GS Class Day Acclaimed dancer, scholar, educator, and Artistic Director designate of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Alicia Graf Mack ‘03GS will deliver the keynote address at GS Class Day ...

431 students were inducted into the GS Honor Society in a special ceremony at Low Memorial Library! 🎉

These students, from 43 countries and a wide range of backgrounds, have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement while balancing careers, families, military service, and more.
A special thank you to keynote speaker Christopher Riano ‘07GS, an award-winning author and legal scholar, for inspiring this year’s inductees.

Join us in celebrating their hard work and dedication! https://bit.ly/4h7Mvsw

Celebrating Academic Excellence: New Scholars Welcomed into GS Honor Society | School of General Studies School News Celebrating Academic Excellence: New Scholars Welcomed into GS Honor Society The GS Honor Society welcomed its newest inductees at a special ceremony in Low Library. February 25, 2025 On Monday, February 24, the Columbia GS Honor Society welcomed 431 new members in a ceremony held at Low...

📢 Only 4 days left to complete the 2025 GS Student Survey! Your voice matters—help shape the future of GS by sharing your experience. Plus, complete the survey by Feb 28 and receive $25 added to your Flex account! 💸💙

Take the survey now: https://bit.ly/4hvhu2Y

🦉