Alumna Mila Atmosudirdjo Tuttle’s $5M Gift to Transform Tutoring for Columbia Undergraduates
Columbia University is pleased to announce a $5 million gift from Mila Atmosudirdjo Tuttle ’96CC, ’05SIPA that will transform tutoring for undergraduates at Columbia College and Engineering. This multifaceted gift from Tuttle, the new co-chair of the Columbia College Board of Visitors, provides for immediate programmatic enhancements and the creation of dedicated tutoring space on the third floor of Uris Hall, located at the heart of the Morningside Campus.
Having earned degrees at Columbia College and Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, Tuttle led a successful career in the financial industry and then turned her attention to hosting and executive producing Future Hindsight, a podcast focused on increasing civic engagement. Last year, she received the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families’ (CACF) Catalyst for Change Award as well as the Trailblazer award by the National Institute for Reproductive Health. She is a longstanding member of Columbia College’s Board of Visitors and its Alumni Association.
“As Dean and Vice President for Undergraduate Education, I am constantly looking for ways to better support the academic and co-curricular pursuits of our students during the years they make Columbia their home. I know that the same is true for my fellow deans and university leadership at large,” said Josef Sorett. “The drive to create the conditions for every student to flourish and excel is constant, and keenly felt at this moment when the size of our student population is growing. Earlier this year, the University announced a number of investments in the undergraduate experience – some of which have already begun and others that will roll out over the course of the next few years – and this represents a part of what we all want to achieve. Our alumni community will play a key role, as they continue to make meaningful contributions in the lives of our students in so many ways.
“Mila is a thoughtful, engaged alumna and co-chair of our Board of Visitors,” Sorett continued. “This gift is a testament to her deep and long-standing engagement as an alumni leader, and is indicative of her attunement to the needs of our students, and of Columbia College, in particular. She saw an area where she could be of service, became well-versed on the topic and led a committee to conduct a review of what we currently provide to students, brought forth the areas where we could improve, and then led the way with this gift. I am grateful to her.”
The review of the Student Life Committee of the Columbia College Board of Visitors underscored the importance of high-quality, one-on-one tutoring to students’ academic success, giving students individualized support to deepen their understanding, strengthen their skills, and build confidence. It also highlighted the value of making academic support visible and accessible. A prominent, welcoming tutoring hub helps normalize seeking support as an essential part of the Columbia student experience and reduces the stigma around asking for help.
“I can think of no better purpose for this gift,” said Tuttle. “The Student Life Committee of the Columbia College Board of Visitors identified a gaping need for academic support, and this center answers it — funded to build and to operate. It’s an investment in student achievement, academic excellence, and student life at Columbia.” This Fall, students will see the immediate impact of Tuttle’s support in the form of one-to-one tutoring available for three math and science courses that have had the highest utilization of tutoring services, an increase in the number of tutors, and new technology tools for tutors. Based on student feedback this year, there may be expanded access to one-to-one tutoring going forward. With the provision of current-use and endowed funds to address programming needs now and facilitate the renovation of dedicated tutoring space in Uris Hall, Mila Atmosudirdjo Tuttle's commitment will create a more effective and accessible learning environment that empowers students to achieve their academic goals, laying a foundation to serve Columbia students for generations.