Thanks to creative students, dedicated faculty, and generous donors, Sarah Lawrence College is a constantly evolving hub for creative thought, collaboration, and uplifting action. These stories illustrate the power of your support.
Don’t CURB Your Enthusiasm
Sarah Lawrence proudly celebrates Ishika Joshi ’25, who received the Julian Smith Student Award by the New York State Outdoor Education Association for her outstanding contributions to environmental education. At the Center for the Urban River at Beczak (CURB), Joshi excelled in various roles, including a grant-funded internship and as CURB’s Summer Science intern. Her efforts included redesigning educational materials to engage a more diverse audience and organizing a open-mic storytelling event on Earth Day, aimed at raising awareness about environmental justice.
Further enhancing her impact, Joshi mentored local high school students during her tenure at CURB, focusing on the importance of environmental justice and effective communication in research. Her work and dedication to environmental issues were also featured in Sarah Lawrence’s episode of The College Tour on Amazon Prime, where she discussed her reasons for choosing Sarah Lawrence and her transformative experiences at CURB.
Dave Stanfield is Listening
Dave Stanfield, the newly appointed Vice President and Dean of Students at Sarah Lawrence College, has a unique approach to enhancing student life. He started by hosting monthly home-cooked dinners aimed at breaking down formal barriers and fostering a more open environment. Stanfield's background includes extensive leadership roles in student life including Yale-NUS College in Singapore. “Sarah Lawrence interested me because it has a well-earned reputation as a forward-thinking college, known for its dedicated and close-knit group of faculty and staff who care deeply about educating the whole student,” Stanfield says.
Stanfield is responsible for a wide array of student services and programs that support student learning and development, ranging from Access and Disability Services to Career Services and Health and Wellness. He spearheads innovative student support initiatives such as the introduction of Residential Fellows, who work alongside RAs to build community and ensure timely support for students’ well-being. This holistic approach aims to ensure that the college's living experience mirrors its academic excellence.
Stanfield also emphasizes the importance of listening and engagement to effectively address student needs amidst the fast-paced demands of modern life and global crises affecting mental health. He notes, "I’m new to this community, so right now, I’m doing all I can to hear from it. We’re making connections as we go, of course, but this deep dive will allow us to respond with care and hopefully success." This focus on listening and community building underpins his leadership style, preparing students not only for academic success but also for life after graduation with a global perspective.
On the Road Again
Sarah Lawrence has long embraced global education as a core component of its student experience, with a tradition of sending nearly half of its students abroad each year. However, the pandemic significantly disrupted this practice, reducing the number of students able to participate in international programs. Prema Samuel, Associate Dean of International Programs, recalls that in Spring 2021, virtually no students could study abroad due to COVID-19 restrictions. As the world opens up again, the college is keen to revive these rich educational opportunities, maintaining robust support systems to ensure student safety and success abroad.
Addressing post-pandemic concerns, the college ensures that students like Frances Kenney, who participated in the Dublin Writers Program, feel comfortable. Kenney shares, “I was concerned about COVID, but I wanted to explore Irish myths and legends. I couldn’t do that in Bronxville, and the folks in Global Education helped me find a program where I could, one where I felt safe and supported.” This level of care exemplifies how Sarah Lawrence's programs strive to align study abroad experiences closely with students’ academic and personal growth goals.
The college advocates for year-long abroad programs to foster deeper cultural immersion and stronger academic and social connections. Students report that extended stays allow them to fully settle into their new environment and engage more meaningfully with the community. This approach is designed to enrich the educational experience, ensuring that students not only learn but also thrive in diverse cultural settings, forming lasting relationships and gaining new perspectives that shape their future endeavors.