PALA/CE Faculty News

Congratulations to NYU SPS faculty member Dr. Durell Cooper for the launch of FLOW, co-produced with PBS and ALL ARTS. In this series of intimate interviews, cultural strategist and host Dr. Durell Cooper explores the successes and struggles of influential Black and brown leaders within the arts and culture sector.

Each episode explores a central question: What narratives exist that harm us—and how are we building strategies to mitigate that harm and foster healing in communities of color?

The incredible lineup of voices includes Misty Copeland, George C. Wolfe, and Elizabeth Alexander, among others—visionary artists and leaders whose work continues to expand the possibilities of cultural expression and justice.

Watch the trailer for the series and full episodes on the PBS program page. 

In addition to the series, Dr. Cooper will be hosting other important conversations at NYU SPS this fall that you can participate in.

On September 4th at 6PM ET, he will moderate a virtual panel featuring arts leaders and alumni from the NYU SPS Arts Management program: Navigating the Arts: Alumni Perspectives on Leadership and Innovation. Dr. Cooper will be joined by Linda Kuo (Dancers Unlimited), Lisa Danser (Rosie’s Theater Kids), and Alexandra Siladi (Arts & Culture Commission, Stamford, CT). RSVP is free and open to the public.  

In early October, Dr. Cooper will teach the latest iteration of Reimagining Performing Arts in the 21st Century, a continuing education course that can be taken on its own or as part of the Certificate in Arts Management. Prospective students may also be interested in the Accelerated Certificate in Arts Leadership. 

Join Dr. Cooper and a community of trailblazing leaders in the arts—on screen, in conversation, and in the classroom.

• Watch FLOW
• RSVP for Navigating the Arts: Alumni Perspectives on Leadership and Innovation
• Register for Reimagining Performing Arts in the 21st Century 

We recently caught up with instructor Dr. Karen Frances McCarthy to learn more about her upcoming course The American Ghost Story  at the Academy of Lifelong Learning. Dr. McCarthy is a scholar and author specializing in spectral and speculative fiction and its intersections with culture, psychology, and religion. 

Q: Can you tell us about your background? How did you get involved in this field?

A: I’m from Ireland and I’ve always been interested in myth, folklore, Irish mythology and these kinds of stories. Education-wise, my master’s was in Anglo-Irish literature, which included W. B. Yeats and his interest in Spiritualism and the occult. My Ph.D. dissertation is on contemporary American spectral or ghost literature.

I’ve always loved the Romantics and Transcendentalists as well as the Spiritualist era in American history. I enjoy some of the work of Rupert Sheldrake, Dean Radin, and the research that’s been done at the Institute of Noetic Sciences in California and the University of Virginia. The programs focus on the intersection of human experience, science, and rational approaches to consciousness studies.

Q: What can students expect from your class? What is one thing on the syllabus that you are particularly excited to cover or introduce to your students?

A: Lots of inspiring discussion and new perspectives. We’re going to explore great literature from some of America’s most respected writers, from Washington Irving to E.A. Poe, Toni Morrison, George Saunders, and many others. We’ll be looking at ghost stories throughout American history, from the influence of the frontier to the literary innovation and experimentation that occurs in contemporary ghost stories. Many authors use pleasantly surprising form and technique to explore themes of trauma, disenchantment, and meaning.

Traditionally, ghosts have always been associated with trauma, because usually if a ghost is dead, they have a sort of task to complete,  like make amends or seek revenge. But that’s no longer the story, because in contemporary American ghost literature, the ghost is now in the afterlife. It all takes place in a liminal space—it doesn’t take place on the planet—so they’re just living out in a new society, in another place, and they are haunted themselves. But they’re ghosts, so all sorts of interesting things can happen because they’re not limited by physical reality.

In contemporary ghost fiction, the ghosts keep telling their stories over and over again trying to process their lives and make sense of things. They’re searching for the solution to trauma, loneliness, meaninglessness, and eco-destruction. That introspection can be helpful in everyday life.

The one thing all of these novels have in common is that the ghosts are restored, healed, and made whole, not by an omnipotent deity, but by being left to figure things out by themselves. What they all invariably figure out is that meaning comes from a connection to something greater than themselves. This is surprisingly tangible even in liminal space. It takes the form of helping others in interesting ways, which brings a sense of meaning and purpose and restoration. It’s a very sophisticated way of looking at ghost stories.

Q: How can this class help students at different stages of their lives?

A: I think anybody who wants to look at the development of American history, art, and culture in an innovative way would enjoy this course along with anybody with a love of fiction. These novels and a couple of short stories we’ll be looking at are wonderful innovations in American literature. Anyone looking to reflect on their own lives, regardless of the stage they’re at, could appreciate the quality literature and the life lessons and themes discussed in this fiction.

Q: What inspired you to create this course?

A: I love ghost stories. They’re imaginative and not constrained by the parameters of reality. So they can make insightful statements about culture and about society, but can also at the same time be engrossing and engaging.

Ghost stories have always reflected the society from which they emerge. So if we look at the ghosts—what they are struggling with and how they react to the world around them and how others react to them—we can also see the shifts and changes in American culture.

To get a real sense of this, we’ll be looking at the evolution of ghost literature and the rich tapestry of the supernatural from colonial hauntings to contemporary spectral innovation and fiction. It’s a fascinating way to explore existential questions and see American culture and history from a new perspective.

Q: Do you have any future class ideas or projects you’re excited about?

A: At the moment, I’m working on conference papers. One is for the American Literary Association on narrative experimentation in George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo and another on narrative empathy and eco-consciousness in Kevin Brokmeier’s The Brief History of the Dead. I’m also finishing up a new monograph called The Re-enchanted Ghost in Contemporary American Spectral Fiction, which is to be published by Routledge next July. Once all of that is complete, I’ll start on something new!

Ghosts are waiting… Dr. McCarthy’s The American Ghost Story starts October 6. Reserve your spot before it disappears!

In recognition of Women’s History Month this year, we spotlight Victoria Oluwole, an Administrative Aide at the NYU SPS Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media. Her work keeps the wheels turning behind the scenes—course logistics, exams, student support—but her story goes well beyond the day-to-day.

From an unplanned start in higher education to teaching herself how to build a gaming PC during the pandemic, Oluwole’s path is a quiet testament to what curiosity and persistence can build—sometimes literally—from the ground up.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your role at the NYU SPS Center for Publishing, Writing, and Continuing Education?

A: Hi! I’m Victoria Oluwole, and I am one of the Administrative Aides here at PWM. My role involves a variety of tasks, including sending daily emails, managing courses for the Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking certificate program, coordinating with my coworker to oversee the Foreign Proficiency Language Exams, collaborating with the publishing part of the center on the Advanced Publishing Institute, and handling various other responsibilities.

Q: What inspired you to work in higher education?

A: Honestly, I didn’t set out to work in higher education—it just kind of happened. I started at NYU in 2021 through a connection, right after things started reopening post-COVID. My first role was at the bookstore, which was retail and not really what I wanted to do, but after being unable to work during the pandemic, I appreciated the opportunity. What I did enjoy was getting to interact with students, parents, and professors every day. Especially with students—I had graduated a few years prior, so I liked listening to their experiences, offering advice, or just being a supportive ear. When I moved into my current role, even though the student demographic is older, I found that I still liked helping people navigate their studies. I never planned on working in higher ed, but I’ve come to appreciate the ways I can support people in their educational journeys.

Q: What’s a typical day like for you in your current role?

A: If it’s a Monday or Friday (my remote workdays), I wake up, turn on my work computer, clock in, check my emails, and complete tasks as needed. Remote days are pretty easy. On Mondays, the NYU Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life hosts a Zoom session called “Mindful Mondays,” where we meditate for half an hour. I attend whenever I can.

If it’s a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, I commute into the office. Traveling from Staten Island is long and annoying, especially during morning rush hour. But once I arrive, my routine is about the same—set up my computer, clock in, check my emails, and complete tasks as needed.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about working at the NYU SPS Center for Publishing, Writing, and Continuing Education?

A: One of the most rewarding aspects of working at NYU SPS Center for Publishing, Writing, and Continuing Education is knowing that I play a role in helping students advance their careers and develop new skills. Whether it’s managing courses for the Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking certificate or supporting the Advanced Publishing Institute, I love seeing how our programs empower students to grow in their fields. Additionally, I enjoy working with a team that values education and lifelong learning. Being part of a dynamic environment where I help facilitate meaningful educational experiences makes my work fulfilling every day.

Q: Have there been any women mentors or role models who influenced your career?

A: My mom, first and foremost, has always been the biggest role model for me. Not necessarily for my career, but just as a person.

Q: How did you first get the idea to build your own computer?

A: It actually occurred to me during quarantine that I wanted a gaming PC. I had a bunch of friends online, and we all communicated through Discord (a communication platform that allows people to connect and create communities via servers). Everyone was playing these really cool video games, but some were only available on Windows computers with powerful specs—including VR. So I said, “Okay. I’m gonna buy the components and build it all on my own.” It took me a few months to gather everything, and about 12 hours to build the computer—but I did it!

Q: What was the most exciting part of building your own computer?

A: Buying all the parts! Every payday, I set aside some money to buy one or two components, and eventually I gathered everything I needed to create it.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the process?

A: Installing the cooler. That alone took me 2 hours. Absolutely dreadful.

Q: Women are underrepresented in STEM fields, especially in hands-on tech projects. How do you think more women can be encouraged to explore areas like computer building?

A: I think one of the biggest ways to encourage more women is by normalizing the idea that this space is for us too. A lot of us don’t see ourselves represented in hands-on tech spaces, so it can feel intimidating or like we don’t belong. That’s why visibility matters—seeing other women doing it makes a difference. Another important step is not letting the process scare you. Building a PC isn’t always easy—I mentioned earlier that mine took 12 hours! But once you break it down and remember why you’re doing it, it becomes less overwhelming. Remind yourself what the outcome could look like and know that it’s okay to take your time learning. It’s empowering to build something with your own hands.

Q: What advice would you give to other women who want to try building their own computers but might be intimidated

A: Start where you are, even if you know nothing. That’s what I did. When I began, I barely understood what went into a computer beyond “it has a case and stuff inside.” But I stayed curious. Use free resources—YouTube, Reddit, and Google were my best friends. Talk to people in the community, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Set small goals like learning what each component does, or how to install just one part. The more you learn, the less intimidating it becomes. It can be challenging, but also incredibly fun and rewarding. And when it finally powers on for the first time? That feeling is unmatched. I almost cried. No joke.