It's Halloween Week, Are You Ready? 🎃👻🍬
Hello EPD-ers,

We hope you're soaking up the last of NYC’s gorgeous autumn weather before the chill sets in! Halloween is creeping up this Thursday, and it’s time to unleash your spooky side with your EPD crew.  Whether you're conjuring spells with a Harry Potter marathon or getting nostalgic with Halloweentown, this is the week to treat yourself to some wicked fun!

And speaking of treats — we hope trick-or-treating fills your bags (and bellies!) with all the candy you can handle. The Upper East Side is the place to be, and if you want to experience Halloween in full force, head over to 78th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. This block has been the spot for creative Halloween decorations for decades. And don't miss the Village Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Flotilla in Harlem Meer (see details below). Don’t miss out on the ghoulish good times! 

Remember to reach out to Semon and Talia directly to set up time for a coffee chat. We are always here to help! In addition, please feel free to use the "student spotlight" to submit any recent awards for congratulations. We love to celebrate our EPD peers whenever possible! 

This week’s newsletter includes:

• EPD Student Spotlight - Shudufhadzo (Shudu) Musida
• EPD and Other Events
• Career Advancement Center Events/Reminders - October 28 through November 1
• Professional Opportunities
• Mental Health and Wellness Resources on Campus
• Things to Do in NYC
• Podcast Recommendation of the Week
• EPD Office Hours
   

EPD Student Spotlight: Shudufhadzo (Shudu) Musida 

Shudufhadzo (Shudu) Musida is a development consultant, entrepreneur, author, and humanitarian with a growing global presence. She is currently pursuing a Master of International Affairs at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), with a concentration in Economic and Political Development and a specialization in leadership, innovation, and design. Her work focuses on global development, human security, and policy innovation, with a strong commitment to tackling inequalities, addressing mental health challenges, and promoting sustainable economic growth. Her holistic approach to development includes strategic, high-level engagements with the United Nations. In July 2022, Shud developed a concept note on incorporating mental health into global health policy for South Africa’s permanent mission to the UN, collaborating with the UN during the High-Level Political Forum. She also moderated key panels on mental health at UNGA 78, featuring health ministers from Bhutan and Argentina, foreign ministers from Belgium and Bhutan, and was co-led by Queen Mathilde of Belgium, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF. In 2024, Shudu delivered a TEDx Talk in honor of Nelson Mandela and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing her dedication to mental health and social justice. During UNGA 79, she spoke at the UN Foundation, addressing mental health issues alongside high-level guests. During UNGA, she became part of a signatory coalition working with signatories including Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and other global advocates and figures to fight child violence, leading up to the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombia this November. Her leadership extends to serving as a One Young World Counsellor, where she has mentored over 2,000 young leaders from around the globe. She has contributed her expertise to several UN agencies, continually striving to deepen her impact on public policy, global health, and human rights. Shudu is excited to apply the insights gained through her Economic and Political Development studies at SIPA to further her work and drive meaningful change. In 2020, as Miss South Africa, Shudu launched Mindful Mondays, a mental health awareness series that reached millions worldwide. Her advocacy efforts have been featured in top media outlets such as Glamour South Africa, where she graced dual covers and received the 2022 Glamour Women of the Year Mental Health Game Changer award. She has also been featured in Vogue Italia and British Vogue. As an author, she has written two best-selling children’s books: Shudu Finds Her Magic, which addresses bullying, and I Am Shudu: Finding My Voice, Knowing My Strength, which empowers young girls to embrace their strengths and uniqueness and address mental health education. Fun fact: Shudu was the runner-up as ‘Blue Crane’ on The Masked Singer South Africa and enjoys singing, reading, and traveling in her spare time. For more details on her work or to explore future collaborations, connect with her via LinkedIin or instagram: @shudufhadzomusida

EPD and Other Events

Career Advancement Center Events/Reminders - Oct 28 through Nov 1

CAC Career Fact Sheets and Current List of Subscriptions
Please note that the CAC has numerous Career Development, Career Overview, and Sector Specific fact sheets filled with valuable resources to support your career preparation journey. Additionally, they have a Current List of Subscriptions to assist you with internship and job searches.  We encourage you to check out these links!

SIPA Alumni Career Coaching Program (SIPACC) 
Sign up for a coaching session with SIPA alumni who can provide sector or industry specific expertise. Currently, there are two EPD alumni coaches, Hama Makino and Sadaf Sajwani, available to meet with you. Visit SIPA Connect at the link here to find instructions on how to book a session.
 

Professional Opportunities: 

Mental Health and Wellness Resources on Campus

Zoom Drop By

October 28, 2-3pm | Join Zoom here
These are opportunities for individuals or groups to speak privately with Associate Dean Rodriguez.

Leading and Learning Series

Hosted by the DEICE Committee and Associate Dean Rodriguez, Professors Seth Freeman and Shawna Wakefield will lead a series of workshops about how to navigate conflict and cultivate your leadership in a time of rapid change. All sessions are in person, from 1-2pm and include a light lunch. Click the links to register.

• October 31: Grounding in Vision and Purpose (Professor Shawna Wakefield)

• November 14: Working with Habits and Tendencies (Professor Shawna Wakefield)

• November 21: Reimagining and Building Resilience (Professor Shawna Wakefield) 

Things to Do in NYC

The Village Halloween Parade

The iconic Village Halloween Parade will take place on Thursday, October 31, from 7-11 PM. This year’s theme is "Meow," celebrating all things feline, and will feature costumed participants parading through Greenwich Village along Sixth Avenue. You can either join the parade (costume required) or watch from the sidelines. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Pumpkin Flotilla at Central Park

On October 30 at 4:00 PM, Central Park's Harlem Meer will host the Pumpkin Flotilla, where carved pumpkins float on the water at twilight. This family-friendly event includes a magic show and crafts. For more information, CLICK HERE. 




 

Podcast Recommendation of the Week

About the Podcast: Dare to Lead with Brené Brown often covers how internal pressures like fear, self-doubt, and vulnerability can affect decision-making. Brené Brown’s discussions frequently explore how to navigate these pressures by leaning into courage, understanding personal values, and practicing vulnerability. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging internal pressures but not allowing them to dictate choices, instead encouraging decision-making that aligns with core values.

Recommended Episode: In this two-part series titled "Armored Versus Daring Leadership", Brené Brown explores how internal pressures, like fear, often lead us to put on "armor" as a form of self-protection. She highlights that the greatest barrier to effective leadership isn't fear itself, but rather how we defend against it. In Part 1, Brené identifies common types of armor, such as the tendency to act as a "knower" instead of a "learner," avoiding tough conversations, and using shame and blame instead of accountability and empathy. She provides actionable strategies for recognizing these patterns and offers insights on how to adopt a more courageous, daring approach to leadership. Listen here.