FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Her Climb Selects First Cohort of 16 New York City High School Girls for Leadership Program at Columbia University
New York, NY — April 8, 2026 — Her Climb, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership initiative based at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, today announced the selection of its inaugural cohort of 16 high school girls from across New York City, selected through a highly competitive application and interview process. The students will participate in a multi-year leadership development program designed to expand access to mentorship, professional networks, and career exploration for young women from under-resourced communities.
Launching its first cohort on July 6, 2026, Her Climb was founded to address persistent gaps in leadership development opportunities available to public high school girls. The program combines mentorship, experiential learning, leadership training, and cultural fluency, while also emphasizing civic voice, mental health and financial literacy—helping students understand how institutions and industries operate, how their perspectives can shape public conversations, and how to manage and build financial opportunity with confidence.
The program begins with a three-week Summer Intensive hosted at Columbia University’s Pulitzer Hall, followed by Saturday programming throughout the academic year. Rooted in four core pillars—leadership, access, wellness, and sisterhood—the program combines career exploration with personal development. Students explore four career tracks—Business, Creative Arts, Journalism, and STEM—while participating in site visits, workshops, and mentorship sessions with professionals across New York City.
Inaugural Cohort Overview
The 2026 Her Climb inaugural cohort includes rising high school sophomores representing seven public schools.
Students come from the following neighborhoods:
The Bronx, Corona (Queens), Far Rockaway (Queens), Harlem, Upper Manhattan, and Washington Heights
Students come from the following public high schools:
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Bronx Academy of Letters
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High School of Arts and Technology
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KIPP NYC College Prep High School
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Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics
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Murray Hill Academy
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School of the Performing Arts
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Urban Assembly School of Media Studies
Cohort Snapshot
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Average GPA: 87
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Schools represented: 7 public high schools
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Borough representation: 4 boroughs across NYC
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First-generation college-bound students: 44%
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Cohort demographics: 37.5% Black, 43.75% Hispanic/Latina, 18.75% Multiracial/Other
Participants will receive stipends to support program participation and financial literacy learning.
“This inaugural cohort reflects the extraordinary ambition and potential of young women across this city,” said Rita Omokha, founder of Her Climb and professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. “These students are curious, thoughtful, and deeply committed to their communities. Her Climb exists to ensure they have access to the mentorship, cultural fluency, and leadership experiences that will help them navigate and shape the institutions around them, and to support them in building the confidence to define their own paths.”
Meet the Inaugural Her Climb Students
Esther A. (The Bronx), High School of Arts & Technology. “I want to better myself and what lies ahead...[this is] a great opportunity to grow and learn what I can do in the future.” Dream College: John Jay College
Aliana B. (The Bronx), Urban Assembly of Media Studies. “I would love to join Her Climb so that I could join a good college and make my family proud [and] make me successful to achieve my dreams.” Dream College: Boston College
Junasia BW. (Harlem), High School of Arts & Technology. “Everyone deserves an education and a sense of belonging, and when you have a community to guide you, it makes learning less difficult and less stressful. I am excited by the thought that I could possibly participate in helping others while also being helped from people with different backgrounds.” Dream College: The Juilliard School
Serenity B. (The Bronx), High School of Arts & Technology. “When I learned about Her Climb at a meeting at school, I felt excited, hopeful, and curious as to what Her Climb could offer and help me with...they also prioritize socializing with others [which] makes me realize that I’m not the only one who is curious and ready to reach my full potential and to seek friendship with people from the same or different backgrounds.” Dream College: Columbia University
Zanna C. (Washington Heights), Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. “My passion for writing, which sparked in middle school, is increasing, and there are limited opportunities at my school to grow my writing capabilities. When I learned about Her Climb I was excited about the four tracks you offer, specifically journalism. I’ve been looking for a program that would offer leadership training, college prep, and a supportive network, but most do not have a writing focus. Her Climb is different, it offers a chance to work towards my future career. I hope to gain the ability to analyze texts, write with better grammar, writing flexibility and establish a writing style/voice.” Dream College: Amsterdam University College
Shalee F. (Far Rockaway), School for the Performing Arts. “I would love to join Her Climb because I have a strong desire to grow both personally and academically as part of a supportive community of young women. I want to develop my leadership skills, strengthen my confidence, and learn how to overcome challenges that will help me succeed in both my studies and in life.” Dream College: Columbia University
Allizon G. (Harlem), Urban Assembly of Media Studies. “I struggle with explaining myself. When talking to others they sometimes make me feel like I'm not heard enough and feel left out because I don't make sense. I want to be heard but I can never explain what I feel. I truly would like to improve that.” Dream College: Columbia University
Paloma M. (Harlem), High School of Arts & Technology. “I still get nervous before performing, but once I’m on stage I feel focused and alive. In the future, I hope to act in Broadway, film, or television and create performances that make people feel seen, understood, and less alone. This program would help me grow creatively while doing what I love most: performing and connecting with others.” Dream College: Columbia University
Alicia M. (The Bronx), Bronx Academy of Letters. “I am especially interested in learning more about leadership and how I can use my voice and creativity to inspire others...Participating in this program would give me the chance to continue growing, learning, and turning my passion into a reality.” Dream College: New York University
Zariah P. (The Bronx), KIPP NYC College Prep High School. “Her Climb's mission to empower women really speaks to me and I want to use my artistic skills to make a difference. I want to learn skills that will help me create artistic projects and manage events as well as tell stories through digital media.” Dream College: Alabama A&M University
Cyra R. (The Bronx), Urban Assembly of Media Studies. “I’m at the beginning of my high school journey, I am just beginning to shape my future, and I would love to be a part of your program to expand my palette and learn new things. I would also love to step outside of my comfort zone and make an impact on something, or even someone.” Dream College: Harvard University
Angela R. (The Bronx), Bronx Academy of Letters. “I am a freshman at a public school in the South Bronx, and I am really driven to start my own business in cosmetology one day. It is hard to find professional experience or see that side of the world where I live. Even though there aren't many opportunities in my area, it doesn't stop my drive to become the person I want to be. I know I have the passion to succeed. This is why Her Climb is such an important program for me. It isn't just a long-term program, it is the door to endless opportunity. My motivation to join is already as strong as possible, but the fact that it is long-term makes me want it even more. It won't just give me a support group, but it will teach me the responsibility and commitment that come with business and college. I love that it creates a forever family while helping me reach my goals.” Dream College: Syracuse University
Liana R. (Harlem), KIPP NYC College Prep High School. “I struggle to believe that my voice has value and meaning and through Her Climb, I feel like this program can help me explore this side of my life and truly help form me into the woman I’m meant to be. Through Her Climb, I wish to build the confidence to use my voice and grow into a leader who can inspire others to believe in themselves and learn to value their thoughts.” Dream College: Brown University
Azaria R. (Upper Manhattan), High School of Arts & Technology. “Education is very important to me. I plan to finish high school and this is one of the stepping stones I need to guide me to the finish line. I like that your program gives you hands-on learning, as well as mentorship, which is a necessity for growth. Although I prefer doing things by myself, I see myself as very analytical, creative, and ambitious. I want something that challenges me and helps me grow out of my box. To enjoy teamwork, to be open-minded and share with others.” Dream College: Yale University
Shanarani S. (Corona), High School of Arts & Technology. “I am eager to join Her Climb because I deeply resonate with its mission of empowering women in leadership and fostering a supportive community for professional growth. As someone who is passionate about breaking barriers and uplifting others, I believe this program will provide me with unique opportunities that have not been available to me before. Through Her Climb, I hope to develop essential skills that will be invaluable for my future career, such as effective communication, resilience, and creative problem-solving. Learning from experienced mentors and sharing experiences with like-minded colleagues excites me. I am confident that these interactions will inspire me to overcome challenges and further ignite my passion for creating art and pursuing leadership roles.” Dream College: Columbia University
Calais YM. (Harlem), Murray Hill Academy. “I would like to join Her Climb because I wish to have the opportunity to broaden my cultural, civic and academic skills. I feel that being a part of your program will help prepare me for college and support me in building the necessary skills to become a better advocate for my community. When watching the media and reading about issues within marginalized and underrepresented communities, I have noticed that issues within these groups are generally overlooked and minimized... A significant issue within the field of journalism is the lack of female, Latino/Hispanic representation [and] I would like to help fill this gap, to ensure that my community is well represented in the media coverage. The reason I would like to become a journalist is to help bring awareness to systemic social issues occurring in underprivileged communities. Through my work as a journalist and a leader in my field, I hope to help our communities mitigate and ultimately resolve many of the challenges we encounter.” Dream College: Columbia University
About Her Climb
Her Climb is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders among high school girls from under-resourced communities. Through a multi-year leadership pathway combining mentorship, career exploration, and experiential learning, Her Climb equips students with the confidence, cultural fluency, and networks needed to navigate college, careers, and civic life.
As the inaugural cohort begins its journey this summer, Her Climb aims to build a sustained leadership pipeline that expands opportunity while empowering young women to shape the future of their communities and the institutions that influence them. For more information, visit: www.herclimb.org.
Media Contact
Sakura Komiyama Amend
Press@herclimb.org
212-479-8206