Q&A with Contessa Beckford
Manager of Faculty Support
Tell us the story of how you came to work at NYU Law. Were you always in your current position?
My journey to NYU Law was both interesting and unconventional. I first started at the NYU College of Dentistry in February 2023. It was such a great opportunity that prompted my return to New York City after living in upstate New York for five and a half years. While my time at NYU Dentistry was filled with exciting moments and the building of wonderful professional relationships, I knew that it was not my perfect professional fit. I began searching for the optimal professional alignment.
I applied to 21 positions across NYU before a door opened for me at the Law School. I remember seeking advice and encouragement from various individuals, as I felt professionally stagnant. After multiple interviews without success, I received a life-changing invitation to an interview from the former manager of faculty support at NYU School of Law. The interview lasted about an hour, and during that time, she asked me such soul-searching questions—by the end of the interview, I was sure of one thing: she had a very clear understanding of who I was and what I stood for. She saw the potential that lay dormant within me, and her challenging questions served as the key that reignited my drive, setting my kinetic energy in motion once again. Long story short, I was not chosen for that particular administrative aide position, but another opportunity opened up within the department, and after another round of applying and interviews, I was chosen to be the administrative aide to the manager of faculty support. This opportunity was so unique and paved the way for a promotion within the department as the current manager of faculty support.
What’s a typical day for you like?
A typical day for me begins with arriving at the office 15–30 minutes before my 9:00 a.m. start time and taking a moment to decompress from the morning commute. I then review my emails, assess my calendar, and mentally prepare for the day ahead. What I have learned in my current role as a manager is that one must be flexible rather than rigid; otherwise, the day can break you. I have learned to plan, to leave room for the moments to resolve emergencies of various kinds, such as unscheduled faculty and staff “pop-up” meetings, and other urgent matters. I also have an open-door policy, and I hold that policy very close to my heart. I want my colleagues and team to feel as if they always have access to me. I try my best to respond to emails and complete important projects/assignments in a timely manner to stay ahead of the curve.
What’s the most challenging thing about what you do? And what’s the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of what I do is trying to strike a balance between working to be an exceptional leader/manager and simultaneously striving to maintain an optimal level of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual stability. The most rewarding thing about what I do is having the amazing opportunity to work alongside some of the greatest, smartest, kindest, and most driven individuals every day. It is truly inspiring.
What do you wish you’d known about the Law School on your first day of working here?
One thing I wish I had known sooner is the silent prestige and confidence the Law School embodies. I remember my very first day walking across the courtyard, over the law symbol embedded in the pavement as you approach the front door—I felt a sense of confidence surge through me, and I immediately held my head a little higher as I entered the building. I knew in that moment that I had finally found my professional home.
What is your favorite spot on campus, and why?
My favorite spot on campus is at the window overlooking the courtyard in the staircase landing between the third and fourth floors in Vanderbilt Hall. It is filled with light and serenity. What a phenomenal view! That spot has become a place of reflection for me, a place to pause... and take a deep, slow breath as I travel between different floors during my busy day.
January 2026