NYU Global Equity Fellowship

Hi everyone. My name is Allujanatt Ajao. The correct way to anticipate my name is (Al-jah-nah), but everyone calls me Allu. I am a junior at CAS majoring in Global Public Health and Anthropology, but I also minor in Africana Studies. I’m a pre-med student. I am the product of Nigerian and Ghanian parents. I am super excited to be one of your Global Equity Fellows and cannot wait to show you all parts of my country, Ghana. I enjoy cooking, watching tv, taking film pictures, and exploring.

To study away in Ghana is a blessing because this is one of the many ways I intend to give back to the place that raised part of my family. When people typically think of Africa they immediately associate it with poverty, but Accra, Ghana is one of the most developed cities in Africa. As beautiful and wealthy as Accra, Ghana is, I will not shy away from showing Ghana as a whole. I intend to foster a friendship with you all, but also the people of the land.

Through my community service work, I grew an interest in public health mainly because this field will allow me to implement effective mechanisms to bridge the gap between different socioeconomic racial groups and their access to quality affordable healthcare. I always aim to give back and with this intention I intend to delve into the field of cardiology as a way to be a primary caretaker for the black community. I can think of no better place to fulfill my passions in Ghana than with you all.

As a fellow I intend to facilitate safe spaces for us to gather and share our experiences. I am excited to begin this journey with you all. As I love to say “prepare to be sick of me”! 

Hi! My name is Seamus. I’m a sophomore and MLK Scholar studying Nursing! I’m from Buffalo, New York, and can’t be more excited to study in Berlin next semester. Since coming to New York something that's caught my attention has been thinking about how space is used. I’m a Black man from one of America's most segregated cities. Waste, public services, city planning, etc. all have direct racial and economic influences in America. While I'm in Berlin, I will take classes focusing on the environment and I hope to examine how the city was built to benefit its citizens and work with the environment. As a global equity fellow, I hope to start conversations between NYU students in Berlin.

Hello everyone! My name is Sidney Jing and I’m a third year student majoring in philosophy, with a double minor in psychology and creative writing. I am so excited to be studying in Berlin as a Global Equity fellow. In my free time, you can find me writing, drawing, and exploring whatever city I’m in!

As a woman and a child of Asian immigrants, I’ve been navigating encounters with racism and sexism all my life. These experiences have led me to develop a passion for working towards inclusion, diversity, belonging, and equity in all spaces. In my time in Berlin, I plan to work on making sure that every student feels that they truly belong and feel safe in the city. 

Hi! My name is Angela and I'm a senior at CAS studying Economics with minors in Public Policy and Business Studies. I was born and raised in China but became interested in American culture early on through learning English, and then continued exploring different cultural spaces with Spanish, French, and Quechua. Through these experiences, I've been able to develop a sense of cultural empathy and appreciation and recognize the critical need for it. 

In Buenos Aires, I would love to foster more intercultural communication between NYU students and local communities, as well as tackle Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion issues locally, with a focus on gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic inclusion and indigenous visibility.

Hello! I’m Noora, a junior majoring in Arab Crossroads Studies and Social Research and Public Policy at NYU Abu Dhabi. My family is from India, but I was raised in a beautiful beachside town in the UAE, where I developed my love for the ocean. I love learning about transoceanic histories, particularly that of coffee beans- it’s one of the reasons why I chose Florence as my study away site!

In my time at NYU Abu Dhabi, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of many exciting initiatives that foster IDBE values. From working on NYUAD’s first community-wide production to serving on the E-board for multiple South Asian student groups, I’ve learnt how much joy that comes with building community and facilitating dialogue. I can’t wait to experience this in new ways as an Equity Fellow, and I hope to create inclusive spaces that both derive from the Florentine culture and are accessible to everyone. 

Hi there, my name is Taylor Baker. I’m from Washington, D.C. and am currently a junior at NYU Tandon. I’m pursuing a B.S. in Sustainable Urban Environment and a cross-school double minor in Economics and Architecture Studies at CAS. I’ve held numerous leadership positions pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion and look forward to continuing this role at NYU Florence. Studying abroad can be an exciting and lively experience but can also, at times, feel daunting or uncomfortable. I hope to help ease any potential worries over the next few months. I look forward to hosting activities and having open and candid conversations as we navigate this journey together.

Hii!! My name is Ayesha and I am a sophomore studying Psychology and Theater at NYU Abu Dhabi. I am originally from India, but I spent about the first half of my life in a myriad of cities across Saudi Arabia while for the latter half, I stayed in Bangalore. As a person who has changed about eight schools in a span of less than ten years and who has parents who identify with remarkably different cultures, I have always grappled with my lost sense of belonging. It’s something that has rattled my definitions of diversity, culture, equity etc owing to which  by using these very same experiences as my standpoint, I want to build an atmosphere that harnesses this lost sense of belonging as a means of connectedness. An atmosphere that not only acknowledges these differences but seeks to find commonalities in these differences to foster creation of a space where anyone  can explore their identity, especially third culture generation kids.In my capacity as a Global Equity Fellow I want to contribute to the development of a vibrant and healthy community at NYU London, one that is welcoming of those with different backgrounds and perspectives and actively works to effect good change.

Also a fun fact; I practically love anything that’s green; from mint chocolate chip to avocados to kiwis to pistachios, if it’s green I am all in:)

Hiya! My name is Katie Nash and I am a second year at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study pursuing a concentration in Applied Politics, Comparative Labor Studies, and Ethical Communication with a minor in History. 

I am a New Yorker who also grew up in an intercultural Mexican and Jewish family in the diverse city of Los Angeles. Throughout my upbringing, I was exposed to a mix of perspectives and backgrounds. I plan to use this experience to help my fellow students feel safe and welcome at NYU London while encouraging dialogue surrounding IDBEA issues at NYU and beyond. Research-wise, I intend on studying England’s Latino population, a group that is typically ignored, with the goal to formulate possible strategies to increase inclusion.

As a Global Equity Fellow, I will strive to facilitate the best possible on-campus community. London is one of the most historic cities in the world and I am excited to share the experience of studying and living there with my fellow students.

Hi everyone!

My name is Joey Lee and I am currently a junior at the Gallatin School of Individualized Studies. My concentration focuses on Asian Intercultural Media and Entertainment Studies. I am interested in working in entertainment and advocating for API diversity, inclusion, and representation in the media industry. Before studying away in Los Angeles, I worked at the Office of Student Affairs and Center for Student Life at NYU Manhattan.

I was born in Seoul, South Korea but was raised in three different cities in the United States for half my life before attending NYU. Intercultural relationships and the importance of diversity have been an essential aspect of my life ever since I first moved to the United States when I was four years old.

During my semester as a Global Equity Fellow in Los Angeles, I hope to address issues regarding equity and accessibility by creating a safe community for all students to ensure a meaningful experience that promotes diversity and inclusion.

My name is Liliana Flanigan (she/her/ella), and I am a Junior in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Politics and Spanish. I am from Grand Junction, Colorado, and I am studying on the Washington Square campus at NYU. I am deeply passionate about the arts and centering marginalized voices in policy and investment decisions. I hope to spend my career centering on IDBEA and incorporating equity and belonging in public policy. 

Coming from a small town in Western Colorado, I have seen how identities and the rural-urban divide can marginalize entire populations. I have experienced a lack of inclusion creating harm in communities through inefficient investment and legislation, and my interest in IDBEA has stemmed from bridging divides and eliminating barriers. 

As a Venezuelan-American, my identities result from the diffusion of many cultures. I am excited to experience cultural diversity in a European context and understand how we fit into a global community while addressing harmful colonial legacies. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to facilitate equity and belonging for my peers at NYU Madrid. I hope to continue to focus on helping students experience their semester abroad within the context of their own identities. 

Hi, I’m David Gutkowski. My pronouns are he/him/his. I was born in the Philippines and moved to America in 2009, where I grew up in New Jersey. Now, I’m a sophomore at NYU Gallatin concentrating in Creative Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Human Rights. I’m extremely excited to be studying abroad at NYU Madrid this spring, and serving as one of the site’s two Global Equity Fellows!

I am invested in being a Global Equity Fellow because I want to create a safe space for students across all backgrounds while abroad. It also doesn’t hurt that Human Rights is a part of my Gallatin concentration, so being a GEF would provide me with relevant leadership experience for my studies. Having already studied away at NYU Paris this past semester, I am familiar with the difficulties of getting used to life abroad. This is especially true when acclimating to a different society with multiple salient identities. As such, I hope to make an impact at NYU Madrid by creating these safe spaces and being a resource for my peers. 

Hi! I’m Sunny and I’m a sophomore at NYU Abu Dhabi studying Philosophy and Interactive Media. I was born in China, and grew up in Canada. I am so grateful and excited for the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, and to serve as a Global Equity Fellow. When I have time to spare, you can find me at the beach, reading a good book, or traveling. 

I enjoyed my upbringing in Vancouver; however, I struggled with having a sense of belonging. Being in the diverse and welcoming community that is NYU Abu Dhabi helped me accept and value my multicultural identity. I am interested in exploring ways to encourage language and cultural learning to positively impact IDBE.

Hi everyone! My name is Morgan, and I’m a junior in CAS double majoring in Journalism and Politics. Growing up Caribbean American, I was raised to always feel proud of my heritage, which is a huge part of why I love learning about other cultures. I am beyond excited to study abroad in Prague this spring and experience all the city has to offer! 

I am especially interested in migrant rights and the intersections of law, policy, and justice in marginalized communities. In my free time, I love watching movies, trying new foods, listening to music, and keeping up with all things pop culture.

I am passionate about all work related to IDBEA because I know what it feels like to be discriminated against simply because of who you are. My goal as Global Equity Fellow is to make sure no one feels like this, and instead feels a sense of belonging, support, and safety. People’s differences only strengthen a community, so I can’t wait to get to know everyone and help build a community that reflects and represents us all!

Hey everyone! My name is Devanshi, and I'm a sophomore at Steinhardt studying Applied Psychology with a Business minor. I was born and raised in India but I spent parts of my life studying abroad in London and Singapore. I usually spend my free time engaging in outdoor activities like biking, skateboarding, going to karaoke clubs and honestly, petting as many dogs as I possibly can. I love traveling and exploring new cultures, especially in terms of their local dialects, historical past, and obviously, food.

Growing up as a woman in an unfortunately patriarchal society, I was constantly reminded of the disadvantage my gender put me at. As a woman of color, I have experienced many inequities in my life, which has only fueled my passion to promote justice and equality. Being a part of a diverse international boarding community in Singapore taught me a lot about what it means to be inclusive and accepting.

Having said that, I'd like to use my time in Sydney as a Fellow to organize community-building events that promote inclusion and provide opportunities to explore the multicultural society of Sydney. I hope to create safe spaces for students to express their concerns and, eventually, develop a sense of belonging. 

Hi! My name is Sophie Ana Paris (she/her) and I am a junior in Gallatin. My concentration is focused on the intersection of engineering, human-centered design, disability studies, and entrepreneurship, which I hope to use to design assistive technology and other products to increase accessibility for people of all abilities. I strive to create an inclusive environment for all communities by promoting equity and understanding, and by working to remove barriers and biases that prevent marginalized communities from thriving. As a Global Equity Fellow, I hope to help build a supportive, accessible, and inclusive community of students that can bring these ideals from our small NYU community to larger ones within society. 

Hi everyone! My name is Xiaoyin, and I’m a junior majoring in economics and data science. In high school, I attended a MUN Conference on the topic of international response to the issue of refugees in ethnic conflicts. Writing state messages and meeting strategy gave me the chance to know more about this issue, which is closely related to IDBEA. Now in college, my cross-major knowledge helps me to understand and analyze the phenomenon with different approaches.

In my spare time, I love travelling, playing chess and scuba diving. I’ll be working and studying at Washington DC campus in the upcoming semester, and I very much look forward to working with you all to build an inclusive community.