Information Session: Graduate Student-at-Large Bridge Programs

Seth Green is the dean of the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies at the University of Chicago. Under his leadership, the school has grown more than fourfold, strengthened its storied tradition in the lifelong liberal arts, and built new programs in advanced leadership.

Before joining UChicago, Green served as founding director of the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility at Loyola University Chicago. During his tenure, the Center launched a top-ranked specialty MBA program, a nationally significant award for social innovation in business, and an array of educational programs and events that annually engaged more than 4,000 learners. Green also served as an executive lecturer in Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business, receiving recognition as the Mission-Driven Faculty Member of the Year in 2021.

Prior to Loyola, Green led Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.), a nonprofit organization that prepares low-income youth for post-secondary and life success. At Y.O.U., Green oversaw nearly fourfold growth in youth served and a $16.4 million fundraising campaign to build a state-of-the-art youth center. He also spearheaded two strategic planning processes, resulting in an enhanced program model and deepened impact. Alongside Y.O.U., Green taught courses on nonprofit management as an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University.

Earlier in his career, Green worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, guiding private sector clients through strategy development and change management. A recipient of McKinsey’s Community Fellowship, he spent one year of his time at the firm supporting nonprofit clients, including the Gates Foundation and United Way.

Green speaks and writes on social innovation. His commentaries and research have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Fortune Magazine, the Journal of Business Research, and the Social Innovations Journal, and he previously served on the Editorial Review Board of the Business and Society Review. Green has been a featured guest on Slate Podcasts, C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, MSNBC, and CNN, and his efforts have been covered by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2008, Utne Reader named him one of 50 “Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World.”

Green’s civic service centers on education, the arts, and public-interest research. He serves on the boards of NORC, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, North Shore Country Day School, and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, and on the Membership Committee of the Economic Club of Chicago. He has previously served on the Campaign Cabinet of the United Way of Metro Chicago, the Impact Investing Advisory Council of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, the Advisory Board of Concordia Place, and the Advisory Board of the Executives’ Club of Chicago.

A Marshall Scholar, Green holds a JD from Yale University, a master’s in women’s studies from Oxford University, a master’s in development studies from the London School of Economics, and a bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University.

Esther Pandian-Riske, MA, MAPSS is the Program Director of the Graduate Student-at-Large (GSAL) Program at the University of Chicago. Originally from Singapore, she brings a global perspective to her role, shaped by her own experience as an international student. She holds two master’s degrees from the University of Chicago: a Master of Arts from the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences and a Master of Public Policy from the Harris School of Public Policy Studies.

With over 20 years of academic advising and leadership experience, Esther has held key roles across prestigious institutions, including Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Illinois at Chicago Honors College, Dean of Multicultural Affairs at the Latin School of Chicago, and Assistant Dean of Students for the Graduate Division of the Social Sciences at the University of Chicago.

In her role at GSAL, Esther is dedicated to fostering an exceptional academic experience for her students. She specializes in guiding students as they explore research interests, map out courses, and connect with faculty and admissions directors to successfully transition into MA or PhD programs. She also facilitates a vibrant community through initiatives such as the weekly Thursday Graduate Students’ Happy Hour, which connects current students with alumni to promote networking, mentorship, and camaraderie. Esther welcomes the opportunity to connect with prospective students, current participants, and alumni, offering guidance and support at every stage of their academic and professional journeys.

Esther’s work is rooted in a genuine commitment to helping students succeed. Through her guidance and emphasis on building connections, she ensures that students make the most of their time in the GSAL program while feeling supported every step of the way.

Nathan Held is an alumnus of the Graduate Student At-Large Business (GSALB) program and a current MPP student at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. During his time in GSALB, Nathan pursued rigorous coursework that strengthened his academic foundation and helped clarify his professional direction. He is currently deepening his focus on public service and leadership. Drawing on a background that includes a decade of service as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army, Nathan continues to work at the intersection of policy and community impact, supporting mission-driven initiatives and leadership development.

Brian Nelson is an alumnus of the Graduate Student At-Large Business (GSALB) program and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he earned his MBA in 2025. During his time in GSALB, Brian explored graduate business coursework as he prepared for the next stage of his academic and professional journey at Booth. Drawing on nearly a decade of service in the U.S. Coast Guard, including service at Coast Guard Station Chicago while pursuing his MBA, Brian brings a strong background in leadership, operations, and public service. He is now with Bain & Company, where he continues to build on his experience in leadership, strategy, and operations.