The new JUST (Juilliard Underrepresented Student Team) for Success program kicked off the school year on August 28 with a jointly sponsored luncheon for underrepresented students. Laurie Carter, vice president for Student and Legal Affairs, and the JUST committee members, along with student representatives from the MYAN (Multi-Cultural Young Artists Network), welcomed approximately 20 new black and Latino students, who hailed from cities and countries across the globe.

Students and mentors mingled at the luncheon jointly sponsored by JUST for Success and MYAN (the Multi-Cultural Young Artists Network). (Photo by Courtney Blackwell)

The luncheon program included a panel discussion with MYAN student representatives from each division. Cecily Lewis (a second-year drama student) moderated the discussion. The panelists were: Nels’on Ellis (second-year drama), Julietta Cureton (third-year flute), Christine Clemmons (second-year graduate student, voice), and Courtney Blackwell (fourth-year dance). The panelists shared their experiences and lessons learned during their first year as Juilliard students, and encouraged the attendees to tap into all of the resources that Juilliard has to offer. “This has really been helpful,” said Serena Reeder, a first-year drama student. “I’m really excited about being here and getting involved.”

The JUST for Success program is a counseling and mentoring program designed specifically to assist black and Latino students with their transition into the Juilliard community. Team members work closely with faculty, alumni, and other administrators to help students resolve problems, and are committed to making every effort possible to ensure a supportive environment that promotes student success, both during and after a student’s academic career at Juilliard. “For many years Juilliard has had an unofficial support system for underrepresented students,” says Laurie Carter. “As the underrepresented student population increased, we felt the need to formalize it. JUST and its relationship with MYAN will afford students the opportunity to benefit from all that Juilliard has to offer, while enjoying the gift of coming from a diverse culture.”

Along with Laurie Carter, the JUST committee includes Joan D. Warren, associate dean for Financial Aid and JUST chair; Ivan Rodriguez, Drama Division associate; Aaron Flagg, director of Educational Outreach and Juilliard alumnus; and Asenath Dande, director of International Student/Staff Advisement and MYAN Club faculty advisor.

“I remember how isolated I felt going to college,” says Joan Warren. “Without mentoring from members of my family and community, I would have never been able to make it. It feels great to be able to ‘give back’ from within a supportive college community.”