Usheevii King
Usheevii (U-she-va) is Assistant Vice Provost of Faculty Engagement and Development.
My role in the CFA
My primary responsibility is to ensure that the Center for Faculty Advancement (CFA) has the resources for all of its programming, initiatives, and events. I do this by making recommendations to Charlton McIlwain, Vice Provost for Faculty Development, Pathways, and Public Interest Technology, and consulting and collaborating with CFA internal and external partners, faculty, and the staff at the Center.
Favorite part of my job
The best part of my work is listening to feedback from faculty (as well as internal and external partners) and having the opportunity to incorporate their suggestions for improvement. This role is demanding and can be thankless, so when folks make time to offer feedback I take it to heart. Direct feedback about what the Center did well and where there may be opportunities for enhancements and/or improvements is vital to improving faculty experiences and doing my job well. I would also add that as much as surprises in my job can be stressful, I enjoy coming up with and trying new strategies when something isn’t working well; I appreciate that there’s room for that at NYU.
Proudest recent accomplishment at work
Because I am committed to the team’s success and their collective work experiences, I requested an assessment from the Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) team from NYU Human Resources. The LOD team worked with the CFA staff to discuss and make recommendations about working together in a more collaborative manner. My hope is that the effort enabled the team to learn about each other in a way that is more affable and organic. It allowed me to experience and learn how the team is most comfortable contributing to the vision and mission of CFA. I’m proud of my team’s commitment to the process, their ongoing participation over the year, and their continued interest in and curiosity about collaborating. This team is high performing, as a general matter—but to see them come together and provide more detail about how they prefer to work, while being open to exploring their respective workstyles in relation to their colleagues, was enlightening and refreshing.
I enjoy coming up with new strategies when something isn’t working well
Usheevii at the Faculty Resource Network‘s 2023 Network Summer event
Proudest recent accomplishment outside work
This is a trick question! I’m proud of three things actually: (1) I refreshed my driving skills! I have a driver’s license but rarely do I ever drive. So, I’m confident to get back on the road—especially when I am traveling. Because I cannot wait 25 minutes for an Uber; I like to leave when I am ready to go! (2) I mastered a special effects make-up technique (what I like to refer to as gore-lamorous). (3) I’m getting better at Pilates, particularly working on the reformer—which is incredibly challenging but offers a good stretch!
People who inspire me professionally
I find myself reading about leadership development and listening to Luvvie Ajayi Jones and Ginny Clarke for professional inspiration. Both talk about leading with empathy and integrity and holding people accountable for their professional goals and career development. Watching their reels and listening to their podcasts reminds me that leadership is also about empowering others to grow, thrive, and reach their potential.
Something that might surprise people about my work
Hardly anyone outside the academy knows or understands what a provost does! I’m not sure everyone in the academy knows either! I often lead by explaining what a provost is and what the faculty lifecycle looks like, followed by why faculty development and advancement is critically important and an essential need for faculty, and for the student experience as well.
Deborah Archer
Margaret B. Hoppin Professor of Clinical Law, NYU; President, ACLU
I’ve learned so much from working with Usheevii—indeed, we were colleagues at New York Law School before we both made the move to NYU! Usheevii is incredibly creative and just as collaborative—she has a unique ability to bring together people with different ideas and opinions and develop solutions that none of us would have come up with on our own. Her tenacity has helped to find resources and support at NYU that made my work possible.
Amit Mrig
CEO, Academic Impressions
Working with Usheevii King has been a truly rewarding experience. She is an incredibly hardworking and focused professional who cares deeply about the mission of the Center and supporting faculty leaders at NYU. Usheevii is both direct and thoughtful, always ensuring that faculty needs are a priority. I’ve learned the importance of approaching challenges with both focus and thoughtfulness from working with Usheevii. She has a way of cutting through complexity to identify what truly matters so that her work always has a meaningful impact.