Ester Fuchs

Not to be confused with Esther Fuchs.

Ester R. Fuchs
Academic background
Alma mater	Queens College, CUNY Brown University University of Chicago
Academic work
Discipline	Urban Policy
Institutions	Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs
Notable students	Karine Jean-Pierre

Ester Rachel Fuchs (born August 14, 1951) is an American academic. She is Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Fuchs studied at Queens College, CUNY, Brown University, and the University of Chicago.^[1]

She wrote Mayors and Money: Fiscal Policy in New York and Chicago, and describes herself as a "Pragmatic Utopian".^[2] Fuchs served as Special Advisor to the Mayor for Governance and Strategic Planning under New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg from 2001 to 2005.^[3]

In 2005, Fuchs served as Chair of the New York City Charter Revision Commission.^[4] She currently serves as Director of WhosOnTheBallot.org, an online platform working to increase voter participation and education in New York City elections.^[5]

Among her notable students is Karine Jean-Pierre, current White House Press Secretary, who credited Fuchs' mentorship for inspiring her to get involved in politics.^[6][7]

Awards and honors

In 2017, Fuchs was awarded the Bella Abzug Leadership Award.^[8] She was the recipient of the NASPAA Public Service Matters Spotlight Award in 2014.^[9]

Antisemitism Task Force

In November 2023, Fuchs was named one of three co-chairs of Columbia University's Task Force on Antisemitism, created in response to escalating tensions between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian campus members.^[10] She has been a vocal supporter of Columbia's financial and research ties to Israel^[11]

References

1. "Ester R. Fuchs". Columbia University. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
2. Robbins, Nina (27 October 2009). "The Little Girl From Queens That Could – A Profile of Professor Ester Fuchs". The Morningside Post. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
3. Richardson, Lynda (May 2002). "PUBLIC LIVES; an Academic Voice at City Hall (One That Carries)". The New York Times.
4. Horowitz, Jason (February 6, 2006). "Put Up Your Fuchs: Professor Is Mayor's Left Hemisphere". Observer. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
5. "WHO'S ON THE BALLOT LAUNCHES MOBILE WEB APP". Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
6. Times, The Haitian (2020-10-23). "Karine Jean-Pierre: Biden adviser and the face of an inclusive America". The Haitian Times. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
7. "Looking Back and Moving Ahead: A Conversation with Karine Jean-Pierre". Columbia University. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
8. "ESTER FUCHS IS HONORED BY BELLA ABZUG LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE". Columbia School of International and Public Affairs. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
9. "NASPAA Honors Professor Ester Fuchs and Alumnus Todd Miner". SIPA News. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2020 – via Issuu.
10. Shafik, Minouche; Rosenbury, Laura Ann; Bailey, Thomas R. (1 November 2023). "Announcing Task Force on Antisemitism". Columbia University. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
11. "Columbia Faculty Statement". Columbia Faculty Statement.com. Retrieved 2024-07-11.