Leeza Robertson

Leeza Robertson is an author whose connection to the academic world is noted through her association with Columbia University's School of General Studies (GS). This institution is a liberal arts college within Columbia, known for its Bachelor of Arts program catering to students who have taken academic breaks or are pursuing dual degrees. GS comprises nearly 30% of Columbia's undergraduate student body and offers a range of dual-degree programs with international universities and Columbia's own professional schools. Historically, GS evolved from earlier programs aimed at providing educational opportunities to various student demographics, eventually becoming a distinct undergraduate college.

The School of General Studies (GS) at Columbia University is a liberal arts college distinguished by its B.A. program designed for non-traditional students, including those returning to academia after a hiatus or pursuing combined degrees. GS constitutes a significant portion of Columbia's undergraduate population, nearly 30%. The school is recognized for its extensive dual-degree partnerships with institutions globally, such as Sciences Po in France, Trinity College Dublin, and Tel Aviv University, as well as joint programs with Columbia's professional schools like Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of International and Public Affairs. GS also offers a Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program, noted as the oldest of its kind in the United States. Academically, GS students are known for achieving high GPAs and are required to complete Columbia's comprehensive Core Curriculum, encompassing a wide array of disciplines from literature and humanities to science and quantitative reasoning.

The origins of the School of General Studies can be traced back to the Seth Low Junior College, established in 1928 to accommodate a growing number of applicants to Columbia College. This institution, named after a former Columbia President, offered a two-year program after which students could transfer to professional schools or continue as University Undergraduates. Seth Low Junior College ceased operations in 1936 due to economic pressures from the Great Depression and the rise of tuition-free public colleges. Its students were integrated into the University Undergraduate program. The formal establishment of the School of General Studies occurred in December 1946, reorganized from the University Undergraduate program to serve students, particularly veterans benefiting from the G.I. Bill, who had employment or other reasons preventing attendance at traditional schools. Columbia University adopted the term 'General Studies' for this college, drawing from the historical 'Studium Generale' concept, distinguishing it from similar programs at other universities.