Student Affairs Team
Lisa A. Mellman, MD
- Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Lisa A. Mellman, MD is Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Samuel Rudin Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed her psychiatry residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center/New York State Psychiatric Institute where she was Chief Resident. Dr. Mellman completed her psychoanalytic training at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. She is a faculty member of the Department of Psychiatry and Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Research and Training, and has received awards for teaching, and for contributions to psychiatry. A former residency training director at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia, and past president of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training, she has been a national leader in developing, implementing and measuring the ACGME competencies for residents.
In her student affairs role, she oversees student support, career advising, residency match and other aspects of their medical school training. She was named an Honorary Alumna of VP&S in 2019 and a Mentor of the Year at CUIMC.
Farida Virji, MBA
- Sr. Executive Assistant to Dean Mellman & Operations Coordinator
Farida joined VP&S in 2019 and is Sr Executive Assistant to Dr. Lisa Mellman, the Dean of Student Affairs, as well as the operations coordinator for the Student Affairs office. Farida has 20 years of healthcare administration experience and has certifications as a CMA and EMT. She graduated from Suny Empire State College with a BS and an MBA. Farida is originally from San Francisco, California and lives in Manhattan. Her personal interests include Historiography and Ancient Philosophy. She enjoys recreational activities such as boxing, cycling and hip hop dance.
Felicia Goodman, Ed.M.
- Senior Director of Student Affairs
Felicia joined VP&S in 2019, having previously spent 9 years working for Columbia Business School in both admissions and academic and student affairs. She received her BA/MA in History from Emory University, holds an Ed.M. in Sociology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Higher and Postsecondary Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a lifelong musician, enjoys travelling and trying new restaurants, loves to be challenged to a competitive game of tennis, 500 rummy, or Monopoly, and completed (slowly!) her first half marathon in Spring 2022. Originally from Wilmington, DE, Felicia currently lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and amazing toddler. Visit Felicia on VEC 11 to chat about where to find the best bagels and pizza in the City, or for any and all questions related to your Medical School Experience.
Andrea Patterson
- Associate Director of Student Services
Andrea began her career at VP&S in 2014. She graduated from The Catholic University of America with a Music degree and spent her first 10 years in NYC performing and traveling as a singer and actress. Andrea lives in Washington Heights with her husband, two children, and their dog Gigi. Andrea is a proud volunteer with NYC Cares and CityMeals. She is the Girl Scout Troop leader of Manhattan’s Troop unit 3314 and President of the PTA at the High School for Environmental Studies.
Timothy Fann, M.Ed.
- Director of Student Activities/VP&S Club
Originally from Brooklyn, Tim has been with us since 2018. His professional interests include student engagement, leadership, and development. In his spare time, Tim enjoys working out and connecting with friends. Please contact him if you have any questions about our numerous student clubs/clinics, programming, and leadership opportunities.
Kristina Montville, M.A.
- Associate Director, Career Advising & Residency Services
Kristina joined the VP&S Student Affairs team as Associate Director of Career Advising and Residency Services in October. She had previously worked at Columbia Business School with the Executive MBA program for six years. Originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, she attended undergrad at Franklin & Marshall College and later received her MA in Higher and Post-Secondary Education from Teacher’s College. In her spare time, she enjoys trying new food and restaurants in NYC and playing pickleball and tennis in Brooklyn. Contact her if you have any questions on VP&S career resources/advising (specialty information, mock interviews, peer advising, personal statements), Dean’s letters, residency applications, USMLE Step 1/2CK, and Match Week.
Keshia Pershad, M.S.
- Student Services Coordinator
Keshia is a native New Yorker (from the Bronx) and yes, she loves the Yankees! She attended Villanova University for undergrad and is currently obtaining a MS here at Columbia in Information and Knowledge Strategy. She’s worked at Columbia University for a little over 8 years and truly enjoys being a resource for our students. As the Student Services Coordinator, please contact her if you have any questions about policies, procedures, dual degree and special programs, leaves of absence, and any communications from our office.
Natalie LeBrecht
- Residency Services Coordinator
Natalie joined the Office of Student Affairs at VP&S as Residency Services Coordinator after working at New York University, where she served as the Department Administrator for the Graduate Film program for seven years, overseeing general office operations. Prior to NYU, she worked at nonprofit art organizations providing direct executive support and working in development. She has lived in New York City since 2000 and enjoys composing and producing music in her spare time. Please loop in Natalie if you are requesting a letter of recommendation from Dean Mellman.
Nikki Erdman
- Administrative Coordinator
Nikki was born in Taipei, Taiwan, but grew up in Westchester and attended Barnard College, where she received her Bachelor’s in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at Columbia. She now considers herself a near-native New Yorker, and resides in Manhattan with her 3-year-old child, Hero, who is a cat. Nikki’s hobbies include working out, drawing/painting, doom-scrolling Twitter, and accumulating plants to replace the ones she has killed. Contact Nikki if…1. You would like a walk-in with Dean Mellman 2. You need a new scrub code 3. You have a question about your locker.
Raquel Tipiani
- Program Assistant, Student Activities/VP&S Club
Raquel joined VP&S in 2023 as the Program Assistant in the Student Activities/VP&S Clubs Office. She was born in Pisco, Peru, and was raised and educated in New York City. Prior to joining VP&S she worked at Bank Street College of Education and Teachers College. She has lived in the neighborhood, West Harlem, most of her life and appreciates the positive impact from Columbia University. Raquel enjoy traveling and camping.
