Griselle Baret (MA ’11) on Elevating Voices in the NYU Latinx Alumni Network and Beyond

A founding member of the NYU Latinx Alumni Network (LAN), the Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy alum has been deeply involved in creating spaces for connection, celebration, and dialogue within the alumni community.

A group of people poses for the photo holding an NYU banner — Griselle (far left) with members of the NYU LAN

Since first stepping into alumni volunteerism at NYU, Griselle Baret (CAS ’06; Steinhardt MA ’11, Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy) has helped shape programs with the NYU Latinx Alumni Network (LAN)—from mentoring opportunities to cultural events and thought-provoking panels.

The NYU Alumni Newsletter interviewed Griselle to learn about her trajectory from Latinos Unidos Con Honor y Amistad (LUCHA) in the early 2000s to LAN today, NYU memories from Florence to Washington Square, a surprising stint at singing, and more.

How did you first become involved as an alumni volunteer?

I became interested in becoming an NYU volunteer during the search for a new University president (when President Sexton was making his exit). I attended one of the open forums for alumni, held by the NYU Alumni Association Board. I saw someone who I recognized on the board and had no idea that I could have an active voice in the NYU alumni community. I signed up to learn more information about the Alumni Association and the alumni community in general, and that’s how I learned about activities such as volunteering to move in the incoming students and some mentoring opportunities. The alumni clubs were also starting to launch, and I became one of the first members of the NYU Latinx Alumni Network when it started in 2017.

Can you share a little bit about your role with the NYU Latinx Alumni Network?

I am on the board of the LAN. Everyone on the board meets monthly to discuss upcoming events and is also responsible for planning and leading some events each year. I like that there are a variety of volunteer opportunities for people—you can volunteer at a food kitchen, you can take part in a salsa dancing event, you can join LAN for a night out at the theater. One of our first events was seeing Latin History for Morons on Broadway; John Leguizamo joined us after the show and answered some questions. We put together a Women in the Media panel hosted at HBO that was A LOT of work but came out incredibly.

My absolute favorite was when we put together a panel we called Curls, Coils, and Waves—The Afro-Latina Experience, which I moderated. As an Afro Latina, it was great to be part of curating a space to have a discussion that I know is still controversial with the Latinx community. The response was overwhelmingly positive, which is exciting. We have a really great team on the board who do amazing work and love creating touchpoints for the Latinx alumni community.

What I love the most about being involved with NYU and the Alumni Network is the sense of community we have built that lasts after we graduate. It’s also great to connect with recent alumni and build connections. I love that we are invited to attend the Latine Graduation each year to see the proud graduates continuing a legacy of excellence. A lot of times, people think that being an alum means your alma mater will just hit you up for donations. LAN is about building friendships under the shared goal of elevating the voice of the thousands of Latinos who graduated from NYU—you can continue to give back and build your community with your talent and your time, which is so valuable.

Would you please share your most memorable moments from NYU?

People in purple shirts pose for the photo in front of a banner that reads "Encore Community Service" — Griselle (front row, center) and LAN volunteers take part in an NYU Alumni Global Day of Service

My NYU days were so long ago, and there are so many! I will never forget my three-day [undergraduate] orientation in the summer of 2002, walking the streets of the Village with new friends, feeling so very grown up and confident in my choice to attend NYU.

Joining LUCHA was impactful; it was the first time I spent time appreciating my Latino culture, spending time with other Latino students and learning about the different contributions and the beauty of being Latino.

I was a commuter student (raised in the Bronx), so when I decided to study abroad in Florence in Spring 2005, it was the first time I was away from my family for longer than a few days. It was a struggle at the start but I also learned a lot about myself and the world, and what it felt to be American. I had a strong support system thanks to some guidance from NYU staff. I still miss having morning tea on a balcony with Tuscan hills in the distance…what a time! It’s opportunities like those that make me glad I chose NYU.

Did you have any NYU classes or instructors who inspired or majorly impacted you?

You know, life looks so different from what I thought it was going to be when I was starting out at NYU, in a way that best fits me. I have no regrets. I would say that I took classes that made me understand myself better as I tried (and continue trying) to navigate my next steps. I took a creative writing course that made me love really great stories. I took a couple of acting classes as electives that I enjoyed but made me realize maybe acting isn’t really for me!

How has your time at NYU helped shape your career and life outside of NYU?

One of my favorite courses was TV Newscast, where we planned, rehearsed, and shot NYU Tonight every Thursday. I didn’t end up working in broadcast journalism, but I came away with a newfound appreciation for the many moving parts of any big production, whether in a studio or in an office like the one I am in now. The smallest details mattered in TV Newscast, from the anchor to the director to the person in charge of the graphics that display during a story. Everyone has a role and everyone needs to contribute to make things work. I carry that lesson in any new workplace I enter now.

What is something your fellow alumni would be surprised to know about you?

Ask me about the time I sang at Madison Square Garden.

So that our global community can get to know you a bit better, we have a quick lightning round for you:

What’s a bucket list item you have? I recently checked off swimming with whale sharks last summer in Mexico, but doing that in Maldives remains a goal.

What’s your favorite day off activity? Watching a great movie at a movie theater, followed by a walk to a park with a book and some music.

Favorite book or author? Too hard! A recent book club pick I really enjoyed was The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.

Favorite TV show? Also too hard! I will rewatch Friends or Seinfeld or Buffy the Vampire Slayer forever, but probably the best shows I’ve ever watched were Breaking Bad and The Wire.

Favorite food? Nothing beats Dominican food—sorry, everyone! Unashamed of my bias.

Favorite song or musical artist? Michael Jackson. I have a playlist that I go through at least once per month.

What’s your favorite place on NYU’s campus? As a commuter student, it was Kimmel (which was brand-new at the time) because there was always a couch I could nap on between classes or a space to hang with friends. Now nearly 20 years removed, I do love the sight of the Washington Square arch when I’m strolling on campus.

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