STAR Program Recipients Summer 2022

Summer 2022

These are the recipients of the Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Program for the Summer 2022. In addition to being recognized at our Law School staff luncheon, recipients will receive $2,000 and a crystal STAR award as a signal of the school’s appreciation.

George Kusserow

Assistant Director for Operations and Communications
Office of Judicial Clerkships

George is being recognized for his role as the Lead Operations Coordinator for the Office of Judicial Clerkships (OJC). His innovative thinking to accommodate for shifts in responsibilities in OJC has helped the department continue to service our students at the highest level seamlessly. He takes the initiative to learn and familiarize himself with new skills to ensure student applications, recommendation letter requests, and inquiries are all addressed in a timely fashion. George demonstrated Leadership during the shutdown and the transition to remote work as well as during the Clerkship Season.  With the implementation of his creative ideas, along with the effort of multiple colleagues and departments, OJC was able to secure Clerkships for our students and alums during that transitional period. George displays Citizenship by always making time to patiently answer questions and brainstorm ideas for efficient processes. Many will agree, he is approachable, down-to-earth, and very professional. And for this reason, George is being recognized as a Columbia Law School STAR employee.

Mirlande Mersier

Assistant Director of Clinical Programs
Law Clinics 

For the past 15 years, Mirlande’s (Mimi) ambition and dedication in fulfilling her obligations in the Law Clinic has not gone unnoticed. She is described as a kind-hearted person who is always there to assist when needed.  Mimi is recognized for Citizenship, which is demonstrated in her ability to connect with people, through her kind and calm temperament.  She welcomes new clients of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic with a traditional dish or dessert from their homeland to help set them at ease during their first visit. Another example of her compassionate spirit was her offer to accompany one of the Clinics’ clients to an Immigration court hearing in Long Island, to serve as their translator. This degree of support for the client gave them the confidence needed to present themselves in court. Mimi’s positive demeanor and proactive disposition in tackling ongoing projects shows in the product of her work. These traits along with her delightful spirit equip her well to be the devoted team player that she is.

Kiana Taghavi

Program Coordinator
Faculty Support Services 

Kiana is described as being extraordinarily caring, conscientious, authentic, and a community-oriented employee and person, who is adding so much to the Columbia community through the kindness, thoughtfulness, and effort she brings to everything she does and in every interaction. She is being recognized for both her Citizenship and her Leadership.  Key examples of her contributions occur in her role as Coordinator of the Mindfulness Program, where she infuses care and effort into each email she writes and each welcome she makes.  She never hesitates to help put together Mindfulness Program events that will most benefit the community, even if it is more work for her or requires her to take initiative. For example, the commencement event was held in hybrid, to include both those who wanted to be in person and have a lunch, and those who have formed a community online or otherwise couldn't be there in person. Kiana is known to be proactive and creative in her thought process, always thinking of ways for her and colleagues to work more efficiently even if that means stepping in to help.