NYU Wagner community reflects on identity in public service

On February 8, NYU Wagner hosted “Community Conversations: Reflections on Identity in Public Service,” which brought together members of the community for personal and professional conversations on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

During the event, Associate Dean David Schachter led participants through a set of three, small-group conversations. The participants talked about their experiences with identity at NYU Wagner; what it means to grapple with one’s identity in the context of public service; and what each person wants to personally get better at with regards to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the school. The evening ended with a larger conversation where many expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to have an open and honest dialogue with other members of the NYU Wagner community.

EMPA student Breandan Ward said, "Making our goal of equity, diversity, and inclusion at NYU a reality means opening ourselves up to listening to each other, sharing our perspectives, and committing to a common journey of attitudinal and behavioral change. The recent EDI conversation event brought NYU Wagner staff, faculty, and students together to do just that. As the small group conversations unfolded, and we shared our realizations at the end, it was clear that ‘pennies were dropping’ for each of us as we learned, shared, and recommitted ourselves together to EDI at NYU Wagner."