Conversations on Study, Work, and Change 

Seth Green is the dean of the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies at the University of Chicago.

Before joining Graham, 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 globally significant award for social innovation in business, and an array of educational programs that annually engage more than 4,000 learners. Green also served as an Executive Lecturer in Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business, teaching classes on social entrepreneurship and 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 the fourfold expansion of programs 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 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 is civically engaged in Chicago, having 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, the Membership and Engagement Committees of the Economic Club of Chicago, and the Advisory Board of the Executives’ Club of Chicago.

A Marshall Scholar, Green holds a J.D. from Yale University, master’s degrees from Oxford University and the London School of Economics, and a bachelor’s degree 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.

Oona Haffey is a GSALB alumna who went on to earn her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She currently works at Ernst & Young in New York, where she is engaged in finance and investment-related work.

During her time in GSALB, Oona built a strong academic and professional foundation that supported her transition into Booth and the finance industry. Her journey reflects the power of combining business education with practical experience, and she remains deeply engaged in the GSAL community.

Jane Kim is a GSAL alumna who went on to complete her Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. She is the founder of KindED, a social impact initiative focused on improving youth mental health and well-being through education and digital engagement.

Jane’s work sits at the intersection of policy, education, and social entrepreneurship. Her path reflects a deep commitment to public service and innovation, and she continues to build programs that create meaningful impact for young people.

Edita Kuberka is a GSALB alumna who went on to earn her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She currently works at Amazon, where she focuses on strategy and consulting within a dynamic, global business environment.

Through GSALB, Edita strengthened her academic and professional trajectory, positioning herself for success at Booth and in the corporate sector. Her experience reflects a strong blend of analytical thinking and strategic execution.

Joe Helbing is a GSAL alumnus who went on to complete the Master of Arts in Computational Social Science (MACSS) at the University of Chicago. He currently works at Imprivata, where he applies data-driven approaches to research and analytics.

Joe’s path highlights the integration of economics, data science, and applied research. His experience demonstrates how GSAL can serve as a bridge into highly quantitative and interdisciplinary graduate study.

Cole is a GSAL alum who used the Graduate Student At-Large program to transition from a business undergraduate background into advanced technical study. Through the GSAL pathway he built graduate-level computer science skills by taking coursework across computational math, data engineering, and machine learning — strengthening his academic foundation and clarifying his career direction. Following this experience, Cole was accepted into the University of Chicago’s Masters Program in Computer Science (MPCS) and currently serves as a product lead focusing on machine learning at Capital One while pursuing his graduate studies. His journey highlights how GSAL empowers students to pivot into STEM fields with confidence and purpose.

Jojo Cui is a GSALB alumna who went on to earn her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with a focus on real estate. She currently works in the real estate sector, bringing together finance, investment, and market strategy.

Her experience reflects a strong interest in asset management and real estate development, and her time in GSALB played an important role in preparing her for advanced business study and industry engagement.

Nathan is a graduate of the United States Military Academy – West Point where he earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He served as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army for ten years before medically retiring in 2021. He served in various leadership and staff positions, both stateside and abroad. In 2013, Nathan deployed from Germany to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 2d Cavalry Regiment.

Currently he is the National Volunteer Coordinator for Merging Vets and Players, a nationwide non-profit supporting mental health and wellness for the Veteran and professional athlete communities. When not advocating for and supporting the mission of MVP, Nathan supports the Travis Manion Foundation as a Character Does Matter (CDM) mentor. As a part of their veteran-led youth mentorship program, he passionately encourages today’s youth to lead with character inside and outside the classroom.

The GSALB community has played an important role in his transition out of the military, inspiring him to pursue graduate education at the University of Chicago where he looks to obtain an MPP and MBA in the coming years.