Dear NYU SPS Community,
As we kick off the spring semester, I’m excited by the strides our NYU SPS community is making to expand and enrich our culture—from our NYC campus to our campuses around the globe.
Over winter break, I visited two incredible cities—Abu Dhabi and Mumbai—and witnessed firsthand the impact of NYU SPS. Among a host of activities, I joined Lee Igel’s Sport Management class for a tour of the 5km Formula 1 race track in Abu Dhabi. I also had the privilege to sit down with Excellency Omran Sharaf, assistant minister of foreign affairs for the UAE, at NYU Steinhardt's cross-school event, AI Generation: Transformations in How We Live, Learn and Play. In Mumbai, we hosted an event for recently admitted students to meet and engage with alumni.
I encourage NYU SPS students to seek out ways you can engage our world-wide community by checking out our upcoming global offerings. And, if you’re interested in an upcoming Global Field Intensive, be sure to explore the Global Diversity Scholarship—the deadline for Summer 2025 is today!
On another global front, I’m thrilled to share that the Center for Global Affairs Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice Jumo Ayandele—whose research interests revolve around the dynamic relationship between African governance, human development, and political stability—has been named one of the 10 African scholars to watch by The Africa Report.
Back in NYC, the School commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to the University Heights campus in 1961 by hosting a series of special events during MLK Week (February 3-7). This includes a private screening of Dear America: A Letter from Black Women, followed by a thought-provoking discussion with associate producer, Dr. Brittany Kirkland (GSAS '14), and SPS adjunct instructor and alum Nicole Smart (SPS '09).
In closing, I’d like to remind you that February 2-8 is International Networking Week! This celebration underscores the power of fostering deeper connections, your NYU SPS network’s international reach, and the critical role our School plays in transforming the professional landscape worldwide. Find ways to engage with our NYU SPS alumni network, here.
As we look toward spring, I’m most excited to see what role you might play in contributing to the globally focused, innovation-driven culture of NYU SPS!
Warmly,
