Features
photo courtesy of Amit Taneja
Amit Taneja: Opening Doors for Marginalized Students
By Kate Moore '12
September 1, 2011
What kinds of experiences did you have as a college student? What activities, values and goals were important to you?
I attended the University of British Columbia in Vancouver for undergrad. I didn’t fit in with the gay community there, and I started in engineering, but that wasn’t my passion. I had some great mentors that helped me figure out what college was all about, and they were able to connect me with great resources. After a while, I thought, “Wow, I could make a career out of this,” helping other people find their passion. I became involved with the Residence Hall Association, orientation, disability services and LGBT services as a student. I also worked with the Women’s Center and was part of a DJ group.
Describe your experiences with diversity and cultural education. Why are these important to you?
I really think of my work as part of a larger life mission. Some of my best learning has happened when working with people who are different from me. That can be anxiety provoking and scary at times, but those were some of the most rewarding conversations I had in college. One of my goals is helping to open doors for students who have been historically marginalized in higher education. Another is educating everybody about the importance of creating a welcoming and nurturing space for all students. I focus on creating intergroup dialogue across differences, so that people learn about others different from themselves.
What were your duties at Syracuse University?
At Syracuse I was Special Assistant to the Senior Vice Provost for equity inclusion and the former Associate Director of the LGBT Resource Center. I did a lot of intersectional work, helping students and staff understand that many marginalized students don’t fit under just one label; each individual has a race, gender, class, nationality, etc. This is why it is so important to create inclusive campus environments. I have done similar consulting work for several colleges. At Syracuse, one of my major achievements was growing the LGBT program; in 2007, Syracuse University was one of six campuses across the country to achieve a five-star campus rating for LGBT issues (campusclimateindex.org). I was also involved with one of the first studies done with Facebook on college campuses, when less than 100 schools had Facebook at that time. My goal has always been to stay connected with young people, what excites them and how they communicate.
What are your duties at Hamilton? What are your goals/what changes do you want to see?
At the Days-Massolo Center, I hope to create space for interdialogue. This space is for all students; I want people of all backgrounds to use this space and engage with our programs. I also want to work in conjunction with academic affairs and student life to help bridge the gap between students’ academic and social experiences to make them feel more connected. I am seeking input from student leaders, faculty and staff about their hopes and aspirations for the Days-Massolo Center. I plan to organize several fall programming series and coffehouses, bring speakers to campus, arrange lunches with professors and hold other events in collaboration with student groups.
What roles do you anticipate for students? For professors? For staff?
My hope is to bring students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members into this space because everybody has something to offer. I am receptive to input, such as if professors want to host a talk, or students have ideas for events or programs. I want this to be an educational as well as a social space. In the end, I would hope that the Days-Massolo Center would be a “home away from home” for many. I strongly encourage anyone to just drop in to say “hi” and check us out.
What is your favorite thing about Hamilton so far?
The caliber of the students completely blows me away: They are passionate and thoughtful and engaged. Hamilton is a great college because we have great students, as well as faculty and staff. The College has surpassed all my expectations of a great liberal arts institution.
Where can students find you around campus?
I’m always around, usually in my office in the Days-Massolo Center. I try to infuse myself into the life of the campus; for example, I was on the faculty panel for the first-years’ common reading assignment. I need to be “out there” and am trying to be visible.
Are you a light sider or a dark sider?
Well, I literally stand the boundary here (at the Days-Massolo Center), don’t I? Like most people, I have a light side and I have a dark side, and I don’t believe in taking sides per se, but in going where my heart tells me to.
Have you discovered a favorite restaurant in Clinton yet?
I love chocolate, so I love the Dessert Booth.
If you could join one club or sport on campus, what would it be?
The radio station, WHCL. I do still DJ, and I want to spread my love of techno to everybody else.
Do you have a favorite blog, podcast or news source?
There is no one object of truth out there, so I try to keep a very open mind and pay attention to a wide variety of different sources.
What are your hobbies?
I love flying kites. And cooking Indian food; many of the programming events will provide home-cooked meals! I also love the Calvin and Hobbes comics (those are also the names of my cats), and I have recently gotten into spoken word/poetry.