On Monday, May 4, 2026, the ISHR community gathered to mark the end of the academic year and celebrate graduating human rights students. Faculty, staff, students and their families were treated to a special evening that featured student performances and celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of ISHR’s graduating class.
Katrina Matchetta, a recent undergraduate alum presented an original poem titled The flame we brought and the purpose we carry. An excerpt from the poem reads:
“We learned in glimpses and in fullness
in chaos and in silence.
In moments that challenged our way of thinking and in classrooms that refined our
purpose.
Through moments that asked us
not just to study the world—
but to engage in it.“
Céline Pfister, Human Rights M.A. student, shared remarks reflecting on the community, solidarity and support she found in her cohort. . “When I came to Columbia I anticipated excellent professors and scholars, access to an abundance of books and other academic sources and brilliant students I can learn from everyday. All of this turned out to be true. What I wasn't prepared for was the solidarity and support I have felt from the people in my cohort," Céline said.
ISHR’s Executive Director, Joseph Slaughter, gave the opening remarks and Gergana Halpern, Deputy Director introduced the graduating class. The department recognized student award winners and honors recipients. The Director of Undergraduate Studies Glenn Mitoma introduced the Phi Beta Kappa Inductees, the Kraft Prize winners, and the recipients of Departmental Honors. Julia Mannes, Undergraduate Education Manager, and Anna Miller, Senior Program Manager of Graduate Studies recognized the Essay Contest and Thesis Competition winners, and the Human Rights Research Award recipients.
Click here for the full list of winners and honor recipients.
