The New School
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The New School's Social Justice Committee understands the importance of the academy as a critical space where the issues, debates, and struggles for social justice should be a focal point. The values of equity and diversity have been an important part of The New School’s legacy—in providing access to higher education to working people, serving as a haven for scholars at risk due to their political work and beliefs, and contributing to public discourse through critical scholarship. A commitment to social justice is expressed in the university’s organization and governance; the community’s racial, cultural, and economic composition; the ways in which the university develops and administers the curriculum; the ways in which open debate is encouraged; and engagement in projects that reach outside the classroom to address social and cultural divides. The committee is committed to increasing the presence of students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented and socially marginalized groups and to evaluating and strengthening academic policies and practices that ensure we are supporting the social and academic aspirations of all students, faculty, and staff. Ultimately, the committee seeks to create an environment for all members of The New School community to fully develop their skills to engage in contemporary struggles for a more inclusive and socially just society. Recently, significant grassroots efforts have been made toward reinvigorating social justice initiatives across the university. The Office of the Provost is working to support and elevate that work and to help make social justice a university-wide commitment.

CO-CHAIRS Tim Marshall, Provost Darrick Hamilton, Faculty, NSGS/Milano Faculty FACULTY Shana Agid, Parsons Faculty Katayoun Chamany, Lang Faculty Doris Chang, NSSR Faculty Dennis Derryck, NSGS/Milano Faculty Phyllis De Verteuil, Parsons Part-Time Faculty Kate Eichhorn, Lang Faculty Karen Merson, NSGS/Milano Faculty Earl Scott, Parsons and NSGS Part-Time Faculty Sara Villa, NSGS/Milano, Foreign Languages Faculty ADMINISTRATORS Keisha Davenport-Ramirez, Office of Intercultural Support/Higher Education Opportunity Program Elisabeth Lackner, Provost Office (Institutional Research) Shannon Logan, Office of Student Development and Activities Monique Ngozi Nri, International Student Services Jesse Villalobos, Parsons Deans Office/Diversity Coordinator Tsuya Yee, New School for Social Research Amy Minter, Provost Office (Student Academic Affairs and Special Projects) Elizabeth Ross, Provost Office (Vice Provost, Academic Services) ex officio STUDENTS Chris Crews, NSSR student, University Student Senate Elizabeth Friedrich, Milano student Melissa Holmes, University Student Senate Ra Ruiz, Lang student

The primary force behind the Office of Intercultural Support/Higher Education Opportunity Program is the aforementioned Social Justice Committee and the response to the needs of faculty, staff and students in areas of diversity and cultural support. Under the direct supervision of the Provosts Office, the Social Justice Initiative thrives to progress the University in areas of diversity. In addition to the Social Justice Committee, the university also has an Office for Intercultural Support which works with students of color and/or from lower income families. And, even beyond these walls, many offices have a position within their office that works closely with diversity and equity. http://www.newschool.edu/studentservices/intercultural/index.aspx?s=1

The Associate Director for Social Justice heads the Social Justice Committee, leads the Office of Social Justice, and was the driving force behind the university's recent diversity report. The detailed information above, regarding the committee and the office, further explains the responsibility of this post.