Dr. Patricia M. Carey Changemaker Award

Enid is recognized as a steward of change across peer-leader groups at NYU. Prominently, in her role as Vice President of NYU’s Puerto Rican Student Association and more, her social impact activism has directly contributed to the livelihood of those affected by natural disasters through her fundraising efforts and community-building events. Moreover, her service as a Youth Diaspora Representative and activism has raised the profile of discussions to combat gender-based violence. Enid has also served as the treasurer and community chair for NYU LUCHA and established and led a Latine Political Theater Event with the Tisch School of Arts—combining her passion for drama and public service to artistically convey current societal challenges and reach people across differences. 

Enid has served as the Head Team Advisor for the Junior National Student Leadership Conference and as a youth representative in various feminist collectives in Puerto Rico including the “Colectiva Feminista en Construcción” and “Aborto Libre PR.” Enid is working diligently for the creation of an abortion fund in Puerto Rico following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade. Additionally, she has interned with the Puerto Rican non-profit organizations “Arte y Maña” and “Y No Había Luz”—putting her public service and artistic experience forward in the service of various impoverished communities in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She volunteers as a city tutor in New York and with other organizations in Puerto Rico.

Enid is described as “a change-maker because, in the face of injustice, Enid is quick to speak up and fight back. Whenever someone makes a discriminatory statement, whether it is a friend or stranger she tries to engage in a conversation to shift or add a more intersectional and nondiscriminatory perspective to their words and thoughts. She always stands up for other students.”

From the start of their tenure at NYU, Regina has taken on student leader roles at both NYU Shanghai and the New York campus. They serve as a dedicated bridge builder between social work students across NYU’s campuses—elevating the needs of the groups that are not always centered as part of the NYU community, including NYU Shanghai MSW students, LGBTQ+ students, students of color, first generation college students, and international students. Through the NYU Shanghai Diversity Framework Task Force, Regina co-designed and conducted interviews with NYU Shanghai students, staff, and faculty to collect their experiences, reflections, and suggestions pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. They co-authored, co-edited, and co-presented the Task Force report that included all findings and strategic recommendations. Following their year of study at NYU Shanghai, their deep involvement in diversity initiatives and efforts to impact the campus climate continues to create positive change to be experienced by current and future students and staff.

Examples of Regina’s influence and passion for change has been shown by their leadership of a university-wide event, “Born A Mistake? "Xiaodi'' Screening and Trans Advocacy in China,” as part of the 2021 NYU Shanghai Ally Week, which was revered as a highlight of the week’s events. While at NYU Shanghai, they also interned at a public, Chinese hospital working with transgender and intersex folks receiving gender-affirming care in Shanghai, China. They work as a leader within the NYU LGBTQ+ Center providing advising and support to student groups; consultation and support for the development of LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices at NYU in partnership with the Director of the LGBTQ+ Center; and co-facilitation and development of the education for first year MSW students in Shanghai, tailoring the content to include bilingual terminology, Chinese cultural context, and localized resources.

Regina is regarded as an inspiring changemaker by peers and colleagues and has contributed greatly to the NYU community by “advancing institutional inclusion through advocacy, service-oriented leadership, and community engagement.” Their efforts to create space for others and make the invisible visible is a testament to their dedication to social change and an embodiment of the Dr. Patricia M. Carey Changemaker Award’s purpose.