Meet D Simmons Jendayi
What is your name?
D Simmons Jendayi (Dee SIH-muhnz Jhehn-DAH-yee) – if there are no quotes around, or period after, D; and no hyphen between my last names…you’ve got it!
What’s your official job title?
Associate Director of Special Initiatives at NYU Liberal Studies
Years/Months at NYU:
2 years/10 months
What’s your hometown?
I come from a military family and moved around, so “home” so far isn’t a geographic location, but rather a constant connection with my amazing famalam no matter where we are.
What kind of projects do you work on?
As an essential liaison connecting all Liberal Studies constituents, I forward the Dean’s strategic priorities, including high-profile events; community building and collaboration; alumni relations; family and donor engagement; visibility and recognition; strategic partnerships; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Two of my fun current projects are the Black Lives in Global Contexts series and the year-long LS NYUWomXn100 initiative.
What’s your role in the AMC?
I’m the AMC Vice-Chairperson, which means I also serve as an Alternate Senator in the University Senate. I’m a Representative for the Faculty of Arts and Science, lead the OpenAMC Working Group, and am committed to the AMC Brave Conversation Working Group and Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (AIDE) Committee. Oh, and I share extra positive vibes with administrators who also love Prince!
Any advice for new administrators?
Welcome to NYU! First, please always remember your inner and inherent worth!
To help situate your work and how it connects to overarching university operations, I suggest familiarizing yourself with NYU priorities, budget, governance structure and factbook. Review the University Senate meeting minutes and rules and procedures, as well as the AMC meeting minutes and bylaws. Also, check out OpenAMC to get a pulse on administrators’ unique needs and perspectives. Advocate for the topics you find important by posting your own ideas, showing support for other’s ideas by upvoting, and using comments to continue the discussion.
And especially if you’ve joined NYU as we’re largely working remotely, it’s quite helpful to tap into established counterpart networks early on — check out this list of NYU affinity and employee resource groups from the Professional Development and AIDE committees.
Who do you know that you think we should know? Why?
The incomparable De Angela L. Duff! She’s salt of the earth good people, as well as a brilliant creative and educator who was honored as a NYU Women in Technology Trailblazer. An Industry Professor in Integrated Digital Media (IDM) at NYU Tandon & an Associate Vice Provost at NYU, she lives for music by curating music symposia, speaking or writing about music whenever she can, and producing, co-hosting, & editing the Prince & Prince-related podcasts for Grown Folks Music. You can view her work at http://polishedsolid.com.
What is your fondest memory in your time here?
My fondest memories are of connecting with members of the NYU community who often aren’t fully known or appreciated, even though NYU’s proudest achievements absolutely couldn’t happen without them! Getting to know the fantastic public safety officers and maintenance teams across the University—many of who have been on the frontlines since March—has been a favorite (shout out to 726 Broadway public safety officers Henry Rosario and Brian Shea!). I deeply enjoy sharing the talents and achievements of quieter or less front-facing employees, students, alumni, and faculty.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Black Belts in Kindness and Keeping It Real.
What are you currently reading?
The Bible and “The Lyrics of Prince: A Literary Look At a Creative, Musical Poet, Philosopher and Storyteller“ by one of the dopest Prince scholars out there, C. Liegh McInnis.
Favorite travel destination?
My spirit smiles especially bright when I’m in Bahia, Brasil. Always looking to learn about the African Diaspora wherever I travel.
LinkedIn profile link:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-neisha-s-6458404/
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