Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council 
Get to know the DEI Council at NYFA Los Angeles!

 

DEI's Mission

The New York Film Academy Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council seeks to improve and increase diversity, equity and inclusion within the NYFA community and its sphere of influence by developing actionable goals in programming, curricula, policies and procedures.

Current Membership 
Missy Dominguez (Co-Chair), Jenni Powell (Co-Chair), Art Helterbran, Barbara Weintraub, Christine Daniels, Denise Hamilton, Irawati Athalye, John Powers, Mary Samuelson, Pankti Shah, Prarthana Mohan, Rosa Belerique, Sarah Marples, Sonny Calderon, Susan Ashe, Wenzhe Zhang, Makayla Savage, Dinda Putri


DEI’s Responsibilities, Definitions, and Structure

Powers and Responsibilities:

  • As an advisory body created in August 2017, 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: Programming, Curriculum, and Policies. Each committee is charged with doing focused work around respective topics. Details are below.

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: Arthur Helterbran (Chair), Susan Ashe, Christine Daniels, Jenni Powell, Pankti Shah, Barbara Weintraub
  • Completed and Ongoing Programming:
    • Educational Panels
    • Cross-Campus Forums
    • Anti-Racism Book Club
    • Pride Month
    • Celebrate Diversity Month
      • Networking Café
      • Open Mic
    • International Education Week
    • Race in the Classroom Faculty and Staff Discussion (Partnership with CETL)
    • Systemic Racism Screen and Discussion: From Slavery to Incarceration
      • Just Mercy and True Justice
      • 13th
      • Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome
      • Do the Right Thing

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: Prarthana Mohan (Co-Chair), Mary Samuelson (Co-Chair), Irawati Athalye, Rosa Belerique, Missy Dominguez, Jenni Powell
  • Completed and Ongoing Work:
    • Diversity course requirements and policy.
    • 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:  Pankti Shah (Chair), Irawati Athalye, Sonny Calderon, Christine Daniels, Denise Hamilton, Sarah Marples, John Powers
  • Completed and Ongoing Work:
    • DEI Scholarship
    • Updated hiring policy for inclusion
    • Affinity groups

Get Involved! 
If you have questions or would like to be involved in any of DEI’s work, please contact dei.la@nyfa.edu.