Caroline Bowman, Philosophy

I am a fifth-year PhD student in the philosophy department. I believe that graduate workers have the collective power to win a living wage for all graduate workers and an end to unequal pay and tiered benefits. I am also excited to fight together to win protections for international students, to end ties between NYU and the NYPD, and to make NYU a workplace where workers with families can thrive. I am a proud member of Academic Workers for a Democratic Union.

Natalia Dubno Shevin, Hebrew & Judaic Studies

I am a second-year PhD student in History and Hebrew and Judaic Studies and a member of Academic Workers for a Democratic Union. Prior to coming to NYU, I was a member of Local 215 Social Service Employees of DC37.

Anila Gill, Cinema Studies

I am a fifth-year PhD Candidate in the Department of Cinema Studies at Tisch focusing on the visual culture of the Partition of India. I’ve spent my time at NYU organizing locally within my department and school, and am looking forward to bargaining for a living wage for all grad workers on behalf of the rank and file. I am a proud member of the Academic Workers for a Democratic Union.

Anisa Jackson, American Studies

I am an American Studies PhD student in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis and a proud member of Academic Workers for a Democratic Union.

Marwan Shalaby, Chemical Engineering

I am a 2nd year, international PhD student in Chemical Engineering. I am currently a unit representative, a steward for Tandon school of engineering and a proud member of Academic Workers for a Democratic Union (AWDU). 

I was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt. It’s where I learned the urgency and importance of fighting for the most marginalized, abolishing all forms of policing, and dismantling the levers of the centralized, militaristic, heterosexist state. My involvement in GSOC stems from the belief that power lies in the hand of workers, as we are the most exposed to the conditions that shape our lives. By coming together and sharing our experiences, we can force NYU to pay us a living wage, cover our healthcare and cut ties with the NYPD, which terrorizes poor, Black and Indigenous workers inside and outside of NYU. I believe that through worker democracy, we can stand our ground when bargaining with our employer, and hopefully build long-standing coalitions across geographies and different vectors of oppression.

Virgilio Urbina Lazardi, Sociology

I am a fourth-year PhD student in the Department of Sociology, where I specialize in industrial relations, political economy and labor sociology. I have been involved with GSOC since the spring of 2019, toward the end of which I was elected steward for the GSAS Social Sciences. I am thrilled to help enhance the union’s collective strength with a successor contract that will supersede the achievements of our historic win back in 2015. Finally, I am a proud member of Academic Workers for a Democratic Union and Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD).

Colin Vanderburg, English

I’m a third-year PhD student in English and a graduate adjunct instructor. I’ve been a steward with GSOC since spring 2019. I’m excited to work with GSOC members and the rest of the bargaining committee to fight for living wages, better health care, and much more for grad workers across NYU. As a member of Academic Workers for a Democratic Union, I believe the strength of our union lies in rank-and-file democracy, collective action, and a working-class solidarity.

Arundhati Velamur, Teaching & Learning

I am a PhD student in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Steinhardt with a focus on Mathematics Education. In the last twelve months, I’ve become active in organizing with GSOC at the university level as well more locally within my department. As an AWDU member, I believe strongly in building rank-and-file power through anti-racist, democratic organizing.

Mariko Whitenack, American Studies

I am a second-year PhD student in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis and a proud member of Academic Workers for a Democratic Union. I have previously served as an elected steward in GSAS Humanities (summer and fall 2020) and as a unit rep (fall 2020). I am excited to set a precedent for how collective grad worker organizing can manifest community health by fighting to end ties between NYU and the NYPD.