What’s your official job title?
Senior Director of Academic Appointments, Provost’s Office
Years/Months at NYU:
14 years/1 month as a full-time employee; 18 years/9 months on campus if you count my undergraduate and student employee time.
What’s your hometown?
The Boogie Down Bronx (born, raised, and still here!)
What kind of projects do you work on?
My background at NYU is primarily in faculty affairs and technology, so the work I am doing now builds on my previous experiences at NYU Silver, NYU Steinhardt, and NYU IT. My work supports the NYU faculty “lifecycle” from recruitment through retirement across all campuses, leveraging analysis and technology to strategically support important initiatives for the Provost’s Office.
What’s your role in the AMC?
I’ve made the lame “dad joke” before that you can’t spell “McCaw” without the letters “AMC.” I have worn numerous hats within the AMC – Representative, Committee Chair, Senator, Vice Chair, and Chair. I am delighted to take up the mantle as your Chair once again for the upcoming year.
What is your fondest memory in your time here?
When you’ve been on this campus as long as I have, you’re bound to have countless memories that stand out. The ones that immediately jump to mind are being one of the recipients of the 2018-19 NYU Distinguished Administrator Award, serving on the University Color Guard for three NYU Commencement exercises, and the kick-off orientation for the fifth (and largest) cohort for the AMC Mentoring Program (applications are now live for the new cohort).
Why NYU?
My father Michael A. McCaw worked in NYU Public Safety so I could afford to come to NYU as an undergrad. His commitment to ensuring I could receive a quality education inspired me to stay WAY past my student years and to find out how I could thoughtfully give back. My mother, Maria, also worked at NYU for 10 years as an administrator, and being able to bounce ideas off of her inspired me to become more creative and thoughtful in my professional approach. Having spent more than half of my life at NYU, I have truly grown up on this campus and learned so much on how to be a good employee, a better colleague, and a thoughtful leader.
Name your favorite spot on campus.
There’s a particular bench in Washington Square Park that is my favorite place to read, people-watch, or share a beverage with colleagues. It’s near where the bocce ball courts used to be before the park was renovated.
Is there an NYU benefit or perk that you use or think everyone should know about?
I am a huge fan of the various off-campus discount programs, in particular the T-Mobile Education Discount and the Verizon FiOS Discount. Both of these programs save me a nice chunk of change each month.
Coffee or tea?
Tea (with chai and mint being my favorites)
If you were a superhero, who would you be and why?
My heart is Batman, and my mind is Iron Man. Batman is a master strategist who always expects the unexpected, and Iron Man has the charisma to make anyone an ally.
What is your go-to app on your phone right now?
Reddit. I’m subscribed to numerous communities and always can rely on Reddit to be entertained, amused, horrified, and informed.
Any advice for new administrators?
Find an opportunity to connect with 1) someone outside of your immediate department and also 2) someone outside of your school/unit. It’s important to understand how your work impacts other folks in your area, so connecting with someone in a different department is a great way to start connecting the dots. I also find it incredibly helpful to know a friendly face in a different part of NYU, as this usually leads to collaborations and partnerships down the road. I’ve met many people while volunteering at events like NYU Grad Alley who I then worked with on specific projects.
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