Introducing the 2024-2025 Student Trustees
A message from: Dr. Shondrika Merritt, Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Dear Students,
I hope your semester is going well so far. I’m writing today to share exciting news about the two students who are serving on the Board of Trustees for the 2024-2025 academic year. After reviewing the nominations and interviewing candidates, a Selection Committee made up of staff and faculty chose Sylvestre Corti Maderna and Nsisong Udosen as the Student Trustees for this academic year.
As the Student Trustees, Sylvestre and Nsisong will provide the Board of Trustees with their student perspectives and weigh in on discussions and issues that impact the future of The New School.
Learn More about the 2024-2025 Student Trustees
Nsisong Udosen is a Nigerian-American designer, researcher, and strategist who focuses on participatory, community-oriented design and envisioning equitable futures. As a graduate student at Parsons School of Design, her research centers around sustainability, strengthening civic engagement, and designing communities of care. With six years of experience in Big Tech, she has developed expertise in systems design and innovation management and now explores how design principles can impact governance and public policy.
Originally from Cincinnati, Nsisong fully embraces life in New York. When she’s not immersed in design projects, you might find her racing (at a leisurely pace) through the city’s streets, diving into a good book, or scaling walls with The New School Rock Climbing Collective.
Sylvestre Corti Maderna is a senior at Parsons School of Design pursuing a BBA in Strategic Design & Management. After transferring from Northeastern University, Sylvestre was drawn to Parsons for its blend of creative thinking and business strategy. He is the Founder and CEO of MATEÏ, a yerba mate start-up that reflects his passion for sustainable product development. His entrepreneurial focus is on creating meaningful user experiences and exploring life-centered design.
Beyond his start-up, Sylvestre is an active member of the Parsons Entrepreneurship Lab (ELab) leadership team and is working on a student-led creative agency aimed at providing students with opportunities to collaborate with industry professionals. His experience spans design, entrepreneurship, and finance, including his time as a Private Banking Analyst at Centaurus Securities in Buenos Aires, which has shaped his holistic approach to problem-solving.
In addition to his academic and entrepreneurial pursuits, Sylvestre is passionate about acting, debate, and public speaking, having appeared in theatre productions and as an extra in I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Whitney Houston’s biopic. These experiences have refined his communication and collaborative abilities, driving his commitment to creating inclusive environments where all voices are heard. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Sylvestre’s international background has given him a unique perspective on politics and design. During his time at Northeastern, he played D1 Rugby and served as Prefect and Athletics Captain in high school, reinforcing his dedication to teamwork and personal growth.
As the recently appointed Student Trustee on The New School Board of Trustees, Sylvestre is committed to fostering student engagement and hands-on learning. During his free time, he can often be found reading a philosophy book under the New York sun.
I’d like to thank the following university community members for serving on this year’s selection committee:
- Shondrika Merritt (Co-Chair), Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Students,
- Andrade Fearon (Co-Chair), Senior Director of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Transition Experiences
- Jordyn Burton, Administrative Assistant, Operations, Office of the President
- Jose Gomez, Assistant Director of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Transition Experiences
- Jennifer Schlueter, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
Information about the 2025-2026 Student Trustee selection process will be shared soon, and students will be invited to participate in information sessions to learn more about the role.
In the meantime, please join me in congratulating Sylvestre and Nsisong!