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Month: October 2024

Crossroads of History and Culture: A Conversation with Inaugural NYU Tulsa Director Lindsey Claire Smith

Posted on , modified on by Kristin Law

Meet Dr. Lindsey Claire Smith, the inaugural site director at NYU Tulsa. A professor of English at Oklahoma State University (OSU) with affiliated appointments in OSU’s American Indian Studies and American Studies programs, Lindsey brings a wealth of knowledge to NYU Tulsa. She was drawn to the global site in 2024 for the opportunity it presents students to learn about Oklahoma’s unique history and growing opportunities for research and professional development.

As a sixth-generation Oklahoman and Tulsa native who has spent her career researching and teaching in Native American studies, Smith is eager to introduce NYU students to the many ways that Oklahoma represents a crossroads of American history and culture.

Portrait of Lindsey Claire Smith

Dr. Lindsey Claire Smith

You’re still new to your role, but could you share any highlights from your time as director of NYU Tulsa so far?

It’s been a pleasure to get to know my colleagues at NYU—and in the Office of Global Programs specifically—and interact with leadership at other global sites. I just took a trip to Los Angeles and saw the NYU Los Angeles team lead the student orientation to get a firsthand look at how that process goes. I’m so inspired by how people approach the idea of learning with curiosity and humility. I’m eager to keep that focus and those value-driven practices in mind as we put our program in place in Tulsa.

Last summer I got to meet our cohort of interns from NYU who were here in Tulsa. I love working with students, and a passion of mine in my work as a professor is scholar development and community engagement. Meeting this great group and hearing what they’re interested in for their learning and professional journeys was very helpful as NYU Tulsa moves forward. It was also so much fun!

What are some of the ways you’ve witnessed growth and development in Tulsa in recent years?

The most obvious change is in the infrastructure and development around downtown Tulsa. When I was a kid, we would go to late-night dance parties and small indie concerts at Cain’s Ballroom. There was hardly anyone around. Now, it’s so full of people. There’s so much going on you couldn’t possibly take advantage of all that’s available, which is a huge and exciting change.

People standing in an exhibit with photos and text on the wall. The wall largely reads, "Building Black Wall Street."

NYU students read about Black Wall Street at the Greenwood Rising history center.

There are so many new opportunities in Tulsa, and we’re lucky to be in this moment. At the same time, this is a key moment for learning. The challenge for us is to make sure that the development is in sync with community needs. I’m happy that people are finally noticing the profound contributions of Oklahomans to arts and cultural history—that is so important. But making sure that this growth benefits communities and that Tulsa remains affordable, accessible, and more equitable is just as important.

Bird's eye view of the Tulsa skyline and Arkansas River during sunset

From STEM to performing arts (and everything in between), can students from all different academic backgrounds thrive at NYU Tulsa?

Yes! The courses and internships offered at NYU Tulsa speak to the diversity of opportunity here. Students who are curious about many areas are going to find this experience highly rewarding. There will be a lot of overlap and connection across courses that may be unexpected. For example, there are a lot of really important ways in which the clean energy transition connects with Native American studies here in Oklahoma. Additionally, there are some ways that a sociological approach to urban development needs to connect with the history of the Greenwood neighborhood and the histories of North Tulsa. So studying in Tulsa is going to be a “wraparound” experience.

Written by Olivia Richter

NYU London Opens New Academic Center

Posted on by Katie L

This fall NYU London moved to its new location at 265 Strand. About a mile southeast from its former location and a short distance from the Temple London Underground Station, the new center offers students studying away an experience unique from other sites in the NYU global network.

The Best Location in London

The new building, in the heart of central London, is “truly one of the best locations in London,” says Mojtaba Moatamedi, executive director of the site. “We’re about 10 minutes away from Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament and just down the street from the Royal Courts of Justice. It’s also a central location for music and the arts, with numerous theatres and art galleries within walking distance.”

Additionally, the new site shares a courtyard with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), which offers NYU students ample opportunity to socialize with LSE students and students from other schools in the area, including King’s College London. “This should enhance the NYU student experience and offer them a real community of students studying in the UK,” says Moatamedi.

A Building Specially Suited for NYU London

Staff and faculty at NYU London worked closely with a team of architects to ensure the new center would meet student needs for space and technology. The spirit of NYU London’s previous intimate classrooms remains at the heart of the design, allowing students and faculty to build connections in small classes. However, doubling the building’s square footage means there is now room for much-needed community spaces. On-site student spaces include a cafeteria, student lounges, and an office space for the student affairs team. This means that student life is nested in the academic building, seamlessly integrating two aspects of the student experience. Moreover, 265 Strand contains larger lecture halls, allowing the site to invite renowned academics from across the United Kingdom for discussions and events.

Students Get Inspired at NYU Washington, DC

Posted on by Katie L

Learn from students who were transformed by their experience at NYU Washington, DC, as they share the inspiration they drew from their proximity to history in the nation’s capital as well as the opportunities they seized to get involved in real-time politics.

Research and Service at NYU Accra and NYU Sydney

Posted on by Kristin Law

Even though NYU Accra and NYU Sydney are nearly 10,000 miles apart, NYU students at both sites often find themselves having similar experiences as they create opportunities to contribute to their new communities, go beyond the typical learning experience, and immerse themselves in the local culture. 

For recent graduates Jesiah Matthews, College of Arts and Science Class of 2023, and Ericka Kamanou-Tenta, College of Arts and Science Class of 2023, NYU Accra attracted their attention early in the process of deciding to study away. For Jesiah, who majored in Sociology, Ghana was an opportunity to “connect with my heritage.” Ericka, who majored in Global Public Health and Anthropology, was raised in Cameroon. “I was excited to step into my purpose,” she reflects. They both minored in Social Entrepreneurship.

Jesiah and Ericka standing in front of students seated at a table

Jesiah Matthews and Ericka Kamanou-Tenta teaching young adults in Ghana

Once in Accra, Jesiah and Ericka volunteered at the nonprofit B.A.S.I.C.S International and connected through their common passion for the city, service, and entrepreneurship. Together, they decided to empower local high school students in the Chorkor community, “to see themselves as change-makers,” the duo explains. As such, they worked with the young adults to identify regional problems, then built workable business models for each of them. “Being in Accra provided an invaluable immersive environment that allowed us to gain deeper insights into the local entrepreneurial ecosystem,” they share. “This on-the-ground experience not only enriched the project by offering a nuanced perspective but also facilitated a more empathic and culturally sensitive approach.”

In the end, Jesiah and Ericka partnered with various NYU staff to transition from interns to founders, starting a new venture: IVG (Identify, Validate, Grow) Ghana. They aim to empower young African adults through entrepreneurship, while also bridging financial independence, social development, business interests, and community needs. “The overall experience was transformative,” they say. “We’ve had the opportunity to have a sense of purpose through giving back to a small group of young adults. And we’ve gotten a taste of what happens when passion, purpose, and impact come together. It benefits everyone.”

Similarly, when Michaela Greenlee, a Global Public Health and Sociology major, studied away, she also took her strengths in service to provide a positive impact in Sydney, Australia. Having previously served as an NYU service ambassador, leading service events and promoting social justice, Michaela wanted to develop a service project that reflected Australia’s unique social justice issues–most notably, environmental sustainability. 

A group of students wearing gloves pose for a photo outside

Michaela Greenlee and the NYU Sydney Clean Up Australia volunteers

“It can be very rewarding to do service abroad,” she says. “You learn about a different culture’s social justice issues and understand their means of combating them.”

Australia produces 2.5 million tons of plastic waste each year, so Michaela, who’s also minoring in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies, partnered with the nonprofit Clean Up Australia to host a daylong cleanup event for NYU students. The organization sent her all the necessary materials, and she marketed the event and recruited volunteers. “My goal was to raise awareness of Clean Up Australia and their impact on the environment, particularly their work with eliminating plastics,” she explains.

The event was a success, leading to clean streets in the local neighborhood and new skills for Michaela. “The overall experience of planning and executing this project in a different global location was eye-opening because I had the opportunity to collaborate with one of Australia’s most recognized, credible, and trusted nonprofit organizations,” she shares. Going forward, she plans to take the lessons she learned back to New York City, where she’ll seek out similar nonprofits. “I want to get other students excited about giving back to the global community by learning to become advocates and collaborating with like-minded organizations.”

Written by Dana Guterman, repurposed with permission from Global Notebook