DEI's Mission
The New York Film Academy Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (NYC) seeks to improve and increase diversity, equity and inclusion within the NYFA community and its sphere of influence by developing actionable goals in training, programming, curricula, policies and procedures.
Current Membership
Carlye Bowers, DEI Council Co-Chair, Director of Student Life, Title IX Coordinator, NYC
Linda Gilbert, DEI Council Co-Chair, Housing/Associate Director of ESL, NYC
Andrea Swift, Chair of Documentary Film, NYC
Catherine Kobayashi, Chair of Post-Production NYC
Dafina Roberts, Screenwriting Instructor, Faculty Senate Vice President, NYC
Domingo Morales, Associate Director of HR, NYC, SoBe
Elli Ventouras, Campus Dean, NYC
Hope Morgan, Front Desk Reception, NYC
Jacky Hunt, LCSW Director of Counseling, NYC
Lauren Mack, Acting Instructor, Musical Theatre, NYC
Leslie Cummings, Director, International Student Office
Randall Dottin, Chair of Screenwriting NYC
Student Member: Coming Soon!
DEI’s Responsibilities, Definitions, and Structure
Powers and Responsibilities:
DEI develops proposals to present to NYFA administration or other deliberative bodies for consideration.
The DEI has a responsibility to fulfill the DEI Council’s mission and the mission and values of NYFA.
Definition of Terms:
Diversity - Encourages strong leadership, inclusive decision-making, and global citizenship that respectfully consider other points of view. DEI values this as an asset to bring to bear, an ideal to strive for, and a guiding principle for all it does.
Equity - Ensures fair and respectful treatment of all members of the NYFA community. DEI recognizes the existence of inequality for underrepresented groups and will advocate to safeguard equity through its recruitment, education, and post-graduation practices and programs. Underrepresented groups and protected classes include, but are not limited to, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, citizenship status, genetic markers, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, political activities or affiliations, military or veteran status, and status as a victim of domestic violence.
Inclusion - Creates environments that respectfully give voice to all. It cultivates creativity and promotes a greater mutual understanding of our differences, which fosters empathy to reach across cultural, political, and socioeconomic boundaries.
Structure
DEI seeks to achieve its mission through three committees: Diversity Training, Programming, Curriculum, and Policies. Each committee is charged with doing focused work around respective topics. Details are below.
Employee Diversity Training Committee: The Employee Diversity Training Committee shall develop and implement in partnership with non-profit experts and thought leaders live and recorded diversity training for NYFA’s U.S. employees.
Membership: Dafina Roberts (Chair), Jacky Hunt, Lauren Mack
Cross-Campus Consulting Committee Members: Jenni Powell, Missy Dominguez, Maylen Dominguez, Mark Mocahbee, Art Helterbran
Completed and Ongoing Programming:
Anti-Racism, Anti-Sexism, LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity and Trauma-Informed Training
Programming Committee: The Programming Committee shall develop and/or implement short- and long-term events and training for NYFA students, faculty, and/or staff in order to educate and provide forums to better understand topics of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Membership: Jacky Hunt (Chair), Carlye Bowers, Catherine Kobayashi, Hope Morgan
Completed and Ongoing Programming:
Asian American & Pacific Islanders History Month
Black History Month
Diversity Awareness Month
International Education Week
LatinX/Hispanic Heritage Month
Pride Month
Transgender Awareness Week
Curriculum Committee: The Curriculum Committee shall develop and advocate for diverse perspectives in all aspects of curriculum, including the diversity in films and other works, inclusivity in pedagogy, and other classroom practices.
Membership: Lauren Mack (Co-Chair), Andrea Swift, Dafina Roberts, Elli Ventouras, Naomi White, Kimberly Ogletree, Randy Dottin
Completed and Ongoing Work:
Inclusive Curriculum Initiative
Review of curricula for diversity and inclusion of authors, content, and pedagogy.
Policies Committee: The Policies Committee shall develop proposals for institutional policy changes or additions that considers how policy and process may impede diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, the Policies Committee should propose and review policies that can increase diversity, equity and inclusion.
Membership: Domingo Morales? (Chair), Linda Gilbert, Leslie Cummings
Completed and Ongoing Work:
Updated hiring policy for inclusion
Employee Affinity Groups
Get Involved!
If you have questions or would like to be involved in any of DEI’s work, please contact dei.ny@nyfa.edu.
LISTEN: A LENS ON 1ST GENERATION STUDENTS
https://www.firstgenjourney.com
https://www.evehudsonphd.com
https://www.howtocollegefirstgen.org/episodes
WATCH: A LENS ON 1ST GENERATION STUDENTS
https://www.gocollegenow.org/about-the-film/
What Being First Generation College Students Is Really Like
READ: A LENS ON 1ST GENERATION STUDENTS
Inside of Life of a First Generation Student
Do I Belong Here?: The Struggles of our First Generation Students
My Experience as a First Generation College Student
RESOURCES FOR 1ST GENERATION COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Online Guide for First Generation College Students
How to College: Resources
Go College! Now - Resources for College Students