Meet Erin Donnelly
What’s your official job title?
Community Liaison, Office of Faculty Housing & Residential Services
Years/Months at NYU:
I have been in this role for 4 years. I also have over 10 years of combined service at NYU including teaching Tisch Photography & Imaging undergrads and overseeing student internships and faculty grants in Steinhardt Art & Art Professions.
What’s your hometown?
Childhood in Pasadena, California; adolescence in Bridgewater, New Jersey
What kind of projects do you work on?
In this relatively newly created position recommended by the Superblock Stewardship Advisory Committee, I design year-round NYU Faculty Housing Happenings community events to engage a wide range of residents as well as lead outreach to foster a sense of place and belonging among neighbors including recent COVID-19-related collaborations. I have facilitated open space enhancements such as the rollout of The Backyard in Washington Square Village and I oversee ongoing communication projects. Find us at @nyufacultyhousing.
What’s your role in the AMC?
I recently joined the Community Service Committee and I participate with the AMC as a Brave Conversations Ambassador.
Why NYU?
For a welcome back event last year, I installed a bouncy castle next to a Picasso. Only at NYU. Cold Moon Consort composed by Patrick Grant in honor of Sasaki Garden was performed by Tilted Axes on the winter solstice. Only at NYU. The Oak Grove and The Backyard have the best grass you’ll find on campus. Only at NYU.
Any advice for new administrators?
Document your projects. NYU Photo Bureau photographers do beautiful work. Once in-person events resume, NYU Administrators are invited to select arts programming. Signup to receive information.
What does a normal day look like for you?
Days can be unpredictable, which keeps this job interesting. One day, there could be a noisy construction project and I’m at my desk fielding unhappy phone calls from residents, and then the next day, I’m running a site-specific dance program on Bust of Sylvette Plaza in Silver Towers that surprises passersby with pop-up performances.
Is there an NYU benefit or perk that you use or think everyone should know about?
I attended an AMC event two years ago and learned about ScholasTix discounted tickets to movie theaters and Broadway shows. How did I not know about this?
Name your favorite spot on campus.
Sasaki Garden in Washington Square Village. This enchanting place is named for American landscape architect Hideo Sasaki who designed this hidden gem in the modernist style.
What are you currently reading?
Just about finished with Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead.
What is your go-to app on your phone right now?
Audible. The NYU Skirball Virtual Book Club has been an obsession of late.
Coffee or tea?
I can’t answer that question until I’ve had my coffee first.
Favorite travel destination?
Dream road trip to see land art in the southwest: Donald Judd’s Chinati Foundation (TX), Walter De Maria’s The Lightning Field (NM), James Turrell’s Roden Crater (AZ) and Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty (UT.)
LinkedIn profile link:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-amanda-donnelly/
Do you have any digital artwork or media you would like to share?
I’m a late adopter-Instagrammer: @erinamandadonnelly
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