Association of Student Affairs Professionals

New Leadership Plans Recruitment Days

New Association of Student Affairs Professionals(ASAP) Recruitment Chairs Tsering Chopel (left) and Finley Peay (right) shares strategies for the virtual experience. New ASAP President Lili Fores (center)brings her background in multicultural affairs to the role

In December, ASAP announced a new leadership team for 2021. Lili Flores seized on the opportunity to represent the needs of Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) graduate students. She observed that “we find ourselves in an interesting position as full-fledged professionals, but also full-time students.” Lili hopes to fuse her current work at the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Fordham University with her new ASAP leadership role.The new Recruitment Chairs Tsering Chopel and Finley Peay are looking forward to welcoming potential students to “campus” on March 18 and March 19. To them, the virtual format is an opportunity to focus on event content rather than focus on event logistics. Tsering hopes to capture the “community-based energy” of the Master’s program through social media platforms and interactive events. Finley updated the Recruitment Days website to include virtual events happening around New York City. Both look forward to creating a positive experience for Recruitment Days and connecting with new students in the fall.

Master’s Alumnus Profile: Daniel Esquivel

Since graduating in 2011, Daniel Esquivel has dabbled in accessibility, veterans affairs, executive planning for corporate events, and international affairs. He identifies as a “student affairs generalist” and identified studying away in South Africa and India as integral to his interest in international education. Daniel currently serves as the inaugural Program Manager for NYU Los Angeles, the university’s newest global site.

Ed.D. Profile: Lisa Weir

Ed.D. candidate Lisa Weir advised prospective students to approach their educational experience with an open mind and flexibility. In addition to the disruption of COVID-19, Lisa worked on her dissertation while having a newborn. She infused her experience in international education with the pandemic response: Lisa used NYU Shanghai’s COVID-19 response as an opportunity to study how universities change and what factors create a more adaptable institution. She noted that “everyone has their own road through the doctoral process, and, despite the twists and turns of my journey, I wouldn't change a thing!”Currently, Lisa is the Director of International Programs and Strategic Initiatives at NYU School of Professional Studies. She has relished the “process of learning how to conduct research” and faculty mentorship. She spoke highly of her cohort, remarking that she “learned so much from them and am grateful for the mutual support they provided.”

Master’s Student Profile: Josh Sewell

Full-time Master’s student Josh Sewell aims to be “an advocate for those in the peripheral of opportunity.” His previous experience at the Mayor’s Office in Louisville, Kentucky and instructing at Bellarmine University inspired him to apply to the Steinhardt’s Higher Education and Student Affairs Master’s program.Josh recently transitioned from working as a graduate assistant in the Academic Affairs Office working with student athletes to his current position as an Admissions Counselor at NYU School of Professional Studies. Josh enjoys working with both undergraduate and graduate students. He describes his colleagues as “collaboratively mindful and inclusive.”Upon reflection, Josh highlighted the courses and faculty within the Higher Education program. He valued Dr. Mike Funk’s Diversity in Higher Education course because the course allowed students to investigate their identities. He said that the faculty members are “excellent researchers, and teachers, but even better people.” Josh aspires to complete a doctorate degree and one day, become a university provost.

Steinhardt Institute Presents “Access & Equity Trends in South African Higher Education” with Dr. Gerald Ouma

On Thursday, March 25 from 12:00-1:00 PM E.T., the Steinhardt Institute will host a conversation with Dr. Gerald Ouma. The end of Apartheid in South Africa more than 25 years ago opened the higher education system to new populations and new challenges in a country where discriminatory policies made access to higher education unequal among the different races of South Africa. Our session will consist of an interview with Professor Ouma focused on the issue of access to higher education, with particular attention to access for students from different backgrounds and socioeconomic status. Discussion will also cover the question of cost of universities and other financial issues that impact student participation.

Note From the Editor:

I am thrilled to contribute to the Steinhardt community as a full-time student in my final year!Please pass along career updates/milestones or nominate a colleague for a spotlight by reaching out to me at (vmh263@nyu.edu).

Editor, Virginia Hart - vmh263@nyu.edu

Advisor, Professor Ann Marcus - ann.marcus@nyu.edu