Over the course of its nearly 60-year history, the Roger Lehecka Double Discovery Center (DDC), operated by Columbia College, has become one of Columbia University’s most prominent and successful community-facing programs, empowering more than 25,000 New York City youth from first-generation and low-income backgrounds to succeed in “getting to, through, and beyond college.”
In late July, community, education, and elected leaders joined Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to visit a DDC classroom, meet current students, and discuss the future growth of the program.
As part of the visit, leaders observed a sociology class led by Columbia Ph.D. student Jay Brown and learned more about how high school students in Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, Harlem, Washington Heights, and from select partner schools across the city, participate in academic enrichment, socio-emotional learning, and a long-term network of support. Following the classroom visit, leaders participated in a roundtable discussion about the DDC model.