Robin Lovell brings energy to EDI initiatives on the NAA Board

07/10/2023

For Robin Lovell (NC ’03), bringing diverse perspectives to alumni boards is of paramount importance.

Along with his co-chair, Tina Nguyen (LA ’18), he has spent the past year and a half leading the Newcomb Alumnae Association (NAA) Board’s Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).

Both he and Nguyen feel that EDI is a critical part of connecting with–and serving–alums. Lovell says, “We have to reflect at all times on how intersecting groups of marginalized people might interact with NAA and our programs. Every single person experiences some kind of oppression in their life. If you can get them to reflect on it a little bit, it helps so much with the empathy that’s so important in society right now.”

Lovell is a senior project engineering writer for software company Esri and a former professor of geography in Manhattan College’s Sociology Department. He is a dedicated scholar of environmental justice and credits his time at Tulane–one course, in particular–with setting this lifelong interest in motion.

“My passion for environmental justice all began with a class I took at Tulane. It was called ‘The Mississippi River Basin’ and we traveled to sites off campus. Taught by an ecologist and an anthropologist, the class opened my eyes to the reality of environmental injustices.” — Robin Lovell (NC ’03)

As a member of the trans community and lifelong proponent of serving marginalized groups, Lovell is passionate about using his time on the EDI board to set new standards for addressing societal issues within the Newcomb community.

“I think we’re in a time now where alums want substantive programming around racism and anti-racism, LGBTQ issues, disabilities, etc.,” says Lovell. He emphasizes that he and Nguyen are committed to serving the NAA community in as encompassing ways as possible, always asking themselves “How do we address the needs of all of our constituents?”

In the wake of their leadership, the NAA board EDI committee has experienced unprecedented activity from its members, with everyone working together to build exciting programming.

“We have programs for LGBTQ members and for different groups of people of color. And we’re currently working to develop programming for people with disabilities, both visible and invisible.” — Robin Lovell (NC ’03)

In developing their programming, the EDI board often seeks to entwine their initiatives with the unique culture of New Orleans–an important avenue for connecting with alums. They are excited to be planning an event this fall with Queen Tahj, a young, female member of the Mardi Gras Indians. A documentary on Queen Tahj is set to be released in 2024, so this event will serve as Tulane’s precursor to a larger awareness of Tahj’s work–and will feature a stunning display of Queen Tahj’s intricate Mardi Gras Indian costumes.

In addition to highlighting underserved figures in traditional New Orleans culture, Lovell, Nguyen, and the entire EDI committee are heavily focused on fostering an awareness of intersectionality in their diversity programming.

Lovell speaks confidently and passionately about intersectionality, stating, “I think a lot of times, people think of diversity and equity just through the lens of a single identity–how people feel if they’re a woman, or trans, or a person of color, or lesbian or gay. But the reality is that most of the time, people who are members of one oppressed identity group are often representing two or more of these communities.”

He emphasizes that this can often amplify marginalization, so his focus with any given EDI program is to center the margins as much as possible: “Intersectionality is a priority.”

Through its dedicated and intersectional programming, this committee is raising the standard for EDI work within higher education alumni boards–one of high levels of activity and engagement among its members.

“It’s a really exciting time,” says Lovell. “Every single member of our committee is active and invested in what we’re trying to do.”

Under the leadership of Lovell and Nguyen, the Newcomb Alumnae Association EDI committee can serve as a model for EDI groups within our institution and beyond–one in which members of all ages and backgrounds come together to educate, serve, and create joyful celebrations of diversity for their communities.

Lovell currently resides in Armonk, NY with his wife and two daughters.

For more information about the NAA board and how to get involved, please visit https://newcombalumnae.tulane.edu/NAAboard.