Born to a Guyanese immigrant family, Shauna Stewart grew up in Atlanta, Georgia immersing herself in music, finding inspiration in artists from Beyoncé to BLACKPINK. At the small but highly competitive performing arts high school she attended, she honed her talents in singing, dancing, and staging, but music was always more of a lens for exploring culture rather than a career path.
Eager to be around people completely different from her and explore a new culture, NYU Shanghai’s strong study-away options and research opportunities appealed to her. She was excited by the opportunity to immerse herself in a completely new cultural landscape.
Like many first-year students, Shauna initially struggled to adapt to college life but the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of difficulty. Travel restrictions forced her to begin her studies remotely at NYU in New York and managing rigorous coursework, college-level math, and academic writing while commuting from an off-campus apartment was challenging. She persevered through signing up for tutoring and reaching out to her professors. When Shauna finally arrived in China in Spring 2022, she faced another hurdle when she fell ill and had to be hospitalized alone and far from family. She says the support from NYU Shanghai's Residential Life team helped her through the ordeal. “It was terrifying at first, but I came out of it stronger,” she reflected.
At NYU Shanghai, Shauna embraced the liberal arts curriculum, exploring various disciplines through classes. Initially drawn to International Relations, a World Literature class changed her trajectory. She discovered striking parallels between Sylvia Plath’s poem “The Applicant” and K-pop group TWICE’s song “Cheer Up,” both which address themes of gender and desirability. This realization led her to major in Humanities, where she found a compelling way to study people, culture, and society.
Her fascination with music and pop culture propelled her along this academic path. With support from the Dean's Undergraduate Research Fund (DURF), she conducted research on consumption patterns among viewers under 25 of animated television series, analyzing over 300 American shows to examine criteria that make animated shows more appealing to adults.
Shauna’s senior capstone explored the transition from idol to artist in the K-pop industry, focusing on female artists like BLACKPINK and BIBI. Clinical Assistant Professor of Korean Language and Culture Hye Eun Choi coached Stewart along the way, supporting her as she faced early roadblocks with data collection. “She pivoted, developed a new approach, and successfully completed her work. That level of resilience and problem-solving is what makes a great scholar,” said Choi, who highlighted that Shauna’s broad musical knowledge brought unique insights to class discussions on gender and race in pop culture.
Shauna’s four years on campus were marked by leadership in a number of campus activities and events. She served as an Residential Advisor and Orientation Ambassador, offering incoming students the same support she once found invaluable as a first-year student. She volunteered as a Culture Exchange Ambassador with the Center for Student Belonging. Diversity Initiatives Coordinator Coco Lai praised Shauna for actively engaging in promoting inclusion, diversity, and belonging within the community. “She served as a strong leader who organized impactful student events and fostered a lasting, positive influence on this community.” She also created Magnolia on Mic, a podcast she created and hosted, offering a platform for students to discuss topics from AI to music to study away experiences.
As president of the Black Students Association, she organized discussions on identity and hosted events like a Black horror movie night for Halloween.
“Her commitment to highlighting Black culture through music, fashion, and film made a lasting impact,” said Marcel Daniels, Area Head of English for Academic Purposes, who witnessed her growth at the association. “She’s a go-getter – when an idea strikes, she makes it happen.”
Shauna’s academic journey has earned her offers from top graduate programs, including from Stanford, the University of Chicago, and the University of Toronto. She plans to pursue an MA in East Asian Studies, to more deeply explore Korean language and cultural studies.
Reflecting on her college years, Shauna sees it as a transformative experience. She attributes her success to NYU Shanghai’s small-class setting, which allowed her to build meaningful relationships with professors who provided invaluable mentorship.
“It strengthened my desire to work with people,” she said. “Living and studying in a new environment taught me how interconnected everything and everyone is. Navigating different spaces without losing myself has shaped how I approach life.”
Her advice to fellow students? “Don’t tie yourself down to one thing. Have a plan, but stay open to new experiences. You never know what might inspire you.”