Annette Bhatia

Annette Bhatia has worked with Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies since April 2017. As Assistant Dean of Continuing Education, Dr. Bhatia currently oversees the Pre-College Programs, which include Immersion (non-credit), College Edge (for credit), and Youth in STEM. Dr. Bhatia launched the Academic Year Immersion Program in the fall of 2020, offering over 40 courses covering 10 weekends during the height of the pandemic, leading to a successful year-round non-credit college exploration program for high school students. She has expanded opportunities for Summer Immersion to include online offerings as the programs transition back to on-campus course offerings, and works with the University's undergraduate departments to increase enrollment in the College Edge programs. Dr. Bhatia launched and currently leads the Programs’ Committee on Instruction, which evaluates all Pre-College curriculum and faculty appointments. Additionally, in partnership with the Dean’s office, she launched the Program’s first Advisory Board, bringing together principals and headmasters of several New York City public, private, and charter schools. Annette also currently serves as co-chair of the School’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee.

Dr. Bhatia has increased access initiatives to provide scholarship funding for underrepresented groups which is a lifelong passion of hers as a first generation college graduate. She has also previously led the publication of the Academic Program Review, chaired the School’s Assessment Committee during the 2019-2020 Academic year, and led program discovery and review processes leading to more streamlined practices for course management and faculty hiring. Dr. Bhatia has extensive experience in higher education and comes with a strong student affairs background, previously working in our Student Affairs Division as the Director of Student Services. Dr. Bhatia has held positions at BMCC/CUNY and the University of Arizona prior to joining Columbia University. 

A loyal wildcat, Dr. Bhatia holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, M.A. in Political Science, and her B.A. in Political Science and Mexican American Studies from the University of Arizona.