We Were Once Students, Too is a conversation series that brings Columbia College alumni back to reflect on how this place—our college—helped shape who they are. Over a shared meal, alumni and students gather to exchange stories about finding their way, discovering purpose, and the role Columbia played in becoming the people they hoped to be. This month, we welcome Deja Foxx CC '23 back to campus!
Deja is a Gen Z activist and digital strategist with a decade of experience in the field. She got her start as a grassroots organizer fighting for reproductive rights and went on to lead influencer strategy for Kamala Harris. She's spoken on the stages of the 2024 Democratic National Convention and TED2025, and in 2025 ran for Congress in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona, earning nearly 100 million impressions in a viral 104-day race. She writes the newsletter Deja's Download , hosts COURIER's daily live show, Candid, and was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2024. We are thrilled to have her back to discuss how her time at Columbia informed the type of citizen-activist she is today.