Extracurriculars is a new series within Columbia News dedicated to showcasing the many clubs and organizations that exist at Columbia University.
ColorStack is a national nonprofit that helps Black, Latinx, and Native American computer science students graduate and get hired. The tech organization cultivates cross-campus groups for community building, academic support, and career development opportunities.
A ColorStack Chapter at Columbia
Caroline Haoud, a Columbia College senior, launched a ColorStack chapter on campus in 2023. As a computer science major, she was aware of the many barriers minority students face in the technology industry. “I got ColorStack going here after attending a national conference that introduced the concept of creating college chapters to support underrepresented students in computer science. The idea struck a chord because I realized there wasn’t an existing group specifically addressing this. ColorStack’s programming focuses on tackling obstacles such as imposter syndrome, and creating professional development opportunities for those who often face systemic barriers in the field.”
Club Meet-Ups
Columbia’s chapter—now more than 150 members strong—meets weekly in various places around campus for pizza nights, chats, and study sessions.
What Happens at Meetings
There are career-building workshops that offer help with resumes and early access to internship and job applications, as well as coverage of such topics as funding for conferences and student mentorship. Also featured are speaker events, pitch nights, and dinners with recruiters.
“ColorStack at Columbia is vital for anyone who wants to connect, grow their confidence, gain computer science and math skills, and prepare for success in both academia and the tech industry,” said Haoud.
Check out Columbia’s ColorStack chapter on Instagram to learn more about events and programming: colorstackcolumbia.
