Dr. Alta Mauro, the Director of Spiritual Life and Intercultural Education was promoted to Assistant Dean of Students last week.

“I’m taking on a bit more responsibility in driving some of that strategy, and so I’ll be thinking about not only Spiritual Life and Intercultural Education for students through SLICE programs but also divisionally how can we increase our capacity across the board,” Dr. Mauro said to The Gazelle.

Dr. Mauro will keep her role as director of SLICE, but will have an expanded divisional role. “They’re definitely not two different roles, not two distinct roles. My area of expertise is really in diversity, equity and inclusion. It’s thinking about those things on a broader scale,” Mauro explained. “Now if I’m in those conversations, the students should feel that the division is represented.”

Mauro said she specifically wants to encourage cultural understanding and development across university departments. “There are a couple of core competencies that you want anybody working with college age students to have… If everybody is just a little more aware or a little bit more culturally competent – a rising tide raises all boats.”

Mauro gave some examples of traits that she thinks are fundamental for intercultural education, saying, “cultural self-awareness – I think is really important and also cultural humility. This idea that you can accept that even though you hold something fundamentally true, it might be one of several competing truths.”

“When I took this job, this was an opportunity to see if I could walk the walk,” Mauro said about joining NYU Abu Dhabi in 2014. “I had never been as stretched or challenged, culturally, as before I got here, and I really value that.”

We look forward to seeing what Dr. Mauro will bring to the position and wish to congratulate her on her new role!