Student Diversity Framework Task Force

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is critical to community well-being and organizational excellence as well as the development and success of every student. How has NYU Shanghai approached diversity, equity, and inclusion? What has been effective, and where do we see challenges? What institutional efforts and changes do we need to make for a more inclusive community?

To review the past work and make strategic plans for diversity and inclusion at NYU Shanghai, Diversity Initiatives created the Student Diversity Framework @ NYU Shanghai Task Force (the “Task Force”) In July 2021. Between July 2021 and December 2022, the Task Force went through an intensive process of research, campus outreach, and critical inquiry. In January 2022, the Task Force started working on a report that details the project design, methodology, results and findings, and strategic recommendations. In March 2022, the Task Force presented its report, including major findings and the strategic recommendations, to a number of staff, faculty, Student Government representatives, and senior university leadership. The report received additional feedback and was revised on an ongoing basis until finalized in July 2022.

 
Executive Synopsis

Task Force Co-chair, E’jane Li ’22, presenting the Strategic Recommendations at the first report presentation session on March 3rd, 2022.

Read the full report and the executive synopsis:

Full Report Executive Synopsis

As proposed by the Task Force, two important and urgent next steps are:

  • To establish a Strategic Action Group consisting of senior leadership, faculty, staff and student members to operationalize the strategic recommendations;
  • To form a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee (working name) within Student Government that advances efforts to institutionalize inclusion at NYU Shanghai through student advocacy and collaboration with faculty, staff, and the university administration.

In the 2022-2023 academic year, the Student Government Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee will focus primarily on facilitating strategic actions as proposed by the Task Force; the Committee director will automatically become a member of the Strategic Action Group.

As of September 2022, the work led by the Task Force students is near completion. We are transitioning into the next phase which will be led by the Strategic Action Group (SAG) and the Student Government Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee (DEI Ad Hoc Committee).

Task Force Student Members
  • E’jane Li (she, her, hers) Class of 2022
  • Sandy Xu (she, her, hers) Class of 2022
  • Scofield Zou (he, him, his) Class of 2024
  • Natasha Xiao (she, her, hers) Class of 2023
  • Regina Wu (they, them, theirs) Class of 2023, Master’s in Social Work
  • Anaihita Johar (she, her, hers) Class of 2024
  • Jay Veronique (she, her, hers) Class of 2023
Task Force Subgroups
  • Survey & Data Subgroup
  • Engagement & Outreach Subgroup
  • Strategic Planning Subgroup
Task Force Project Components
  • Diversity Initiatives Programming Review
  • Diversity and Inclusion Survey
  • Diversity and Inclusion Interview
  • Mission Statement Focus Group and Strategic Recommendations
  • Report and Presentation
Task Force Project Timeline
  • June 17 - July 12, 2021: Student Member Recruitment
  • July 13, 2021: Project Kickoff
  • July 22 - August 15, 2021: Interview and Survey Piloting & Revision
  • September 20, 2021: Call for Participation Sent to NYU Shanghai Community
  • October 13, 2021: Survey Closed
  • November 18, 2021: Interviews Done
  • November 24, 2021: Mission Statement Focus Group #1
  • December 16, 2021: Mission Statement Focus Group #2
  • December 21, 2021: Report-Writing Kickoff
  • January 28, 2022: Report Draft Version 1 Completed
  • February 23, 2022: Report Draft Version 2 Completed
  • March 3, 2022: Presentation Session I
  • March 11, 2022: Presentation Session II
  • May 23, 2022: Task Force Meeting with University Leadership about the Report and Next Steps
  • June - July 2022: Task Force Meetings with Student Government President and Vice President
  • July 2022: Report Finalized
Acknowledgements

The faculty, staff, and University departments that supported and contributed to the Task Force project include:

Li Xuan | Assistant Professor of Psychology, NYU Shanghai

Yuan Yanyue | Assistant Arts Professor, NYU Shanghai

Carly Siuta | Senior Specialist, Health Promotion and Student Wellbeing, NYU Shanghai

Michelle Hyun | Director and Curator, Institute of Contemporary Arts, NYU Shanghai

Li Li | Coordinator, New Student Programs, NYU Shanghai

Huang Jingyi | Former Dean’s Fellow, Student Life and Secretary of the Task Force

Jennifer Egloff | Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor of History, NYU Shanghai

Lauren Sinclar | Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, NYU Shanghai

Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng | Associate Professor of International Education, NYU

Tera Nakata | Associate Director of Leadership and Outreach, Center for Multicultural Education and Programs, NYU

Sooah Kwak | Associate Director, Career & Professional Development, Silver School of Social Work, NYU

Diane Geng | Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, NYU Shanghai

Wu Yiming | Specialist of Human Resources, NYU Shanghai

Shelly Lu | Director, New Student and Diversity Programs, NYU Shanghai

Li Gu | Assistant Professor Faculty Fellow of Psychology, NYU Shanghai

Cui Lixian | Assistant Professor of Psychology, NYU Shanghai

Kyle Chauvin | Assistant Professor of Economics, NYU Shanghai

Duane Corpis | Associate Professor of History, NYU Shanghai

Davide Lombardo | Assistant Professor Faculty Fellow of Liberal Studies, NYU Shanghai

Nupur Goyal | Director, Residential Life & University Community Standards, NYU Shanghai

Residential Life, NYU Shanghai

Center for Institutional Research and Advancement, NYU Shanghai