Korrina Poindexter-Benbow '25: A Journey of Leadership, Exploration, and Community at NYU Shanghai

Growing up on road trips across the United States, Korrina Poindexter-Benbow cultivated a deep love for exploration and connecting with new people. This adventurous spirit eventually led her to NYU Shanghai, where she found the perfect environment to continue her journey of discovery on a global scale. Hailing from New York, Korrina has been an integral part of the NYU Shanghai community. Aside from working on her studies, she also dedicates her time to giving back, serving as President of the Student Government and mentoring new students through the Orientation program. She is a member of the class of 2025 and a recipient of the Dang Dang Finish Line Achievement Scholarship Fund.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. 

What made you apply to NYU Shanghai?

I applied for college during the COVID pandemic, which meant I spent a lot of time at home. Initially, I was set on applying to MIT in Boston because I saw myself as an engineering kid as I have always been drawn to the sciences. But being at home for such a long time gave me space to think about what I truly wanted from my college experience. That’s when I realized that pursuing a global education was even more appealing, especially after being confined to one place for so long. I am also very ambitious, and NYU Shanghai stood out to me because it offered the opportunity to travel extensively in China and the surrounding region. As a student, it is easier to explore different parts of China on a student visa, and I was also excited about the chance to visit neighboring countries like Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Traveling to these places has been incredible, it has helped me understand how distinct the cultures in Asia really are. Many people I know assume Asia is just one homogenous region, but each country and region is completely unique and often very different from what you would imagine. All of this, the opportunity to explore, travel, and experience different cultures, has made me really appreciate NYU Shanghai and its community.

It sounds like you really like Asia and travelling around. What do you think made you feel this way? 

Before coming to NYU Shanghai, I had never been outside the United States. I grew up in Colorado and spent most of my childhood traveling by road across the U.S. My family often explored the West Coast, and we only really settled in New York City when I started high school. One skill I have developed from all that moving around is learning how to adapt to new environments and meet new people. I think that’s shaped me into more of a traveler at heart. When I am not exploring new places or connecting with new people, I feel a sense of uneasiness, like I’m missing something. That’s probably why I have always felt drawn to discovering new cultures and experiences.

You are a recipient of the Dang Dang Finish Line Achievement Scholarship Fund, how do you think this scholarship has helped you?

The Dang Dang Finish Line Achievement Scholarship Fund is quite unique because it helps students cover the gap in their tuition fees. My family was doing okay financially until my father’s business, a small franchise, was hit hard by the struggling economy. Over the past two years, things worsened, and it became increasingly difficult for us to cover my entire semester’s tuition. I am incredibly grateful for the Dang Dang Finish Line Achievement Scholarship Fund. It has helped bridge that gap and ensured that I could pay off my tuition, especially for my final year. This is such a relief, as I am currently figuring out how to cover tuition on my own while also balancing a lot of responsibilities. Senior year is already intense with Capstone projects, planning and applying to graduate schools, and researching scholarships I will need to fund my next steps. Balancing all these responsibilities while managing my studies without the added stress of working to pay tuition is a huge weight off my shoulders. Thanks to the scholarship, I can focus on excelling academically, giving back to the NYU Shanghai community as the President of the Student Government, and preparing for graduate school.

You mentioned Student Government, can you tell us more about your experiences there?

I joined the Student Government as a freshman. Interestingly, my first year at NYU Shanghai was not even in Shanghai, it was in New York because of the pandemic. I was eager to find a way to connect with both my community and Shanghai, and Student Government became a great outlet for me to do that, even if it was just online at first. I have always enjoyed being involved in my community, and I wanted to create opportunities for students to relax and enjoy themselves. Joining Student Government felt like the best way to make that happen. 

As Events Director, I focused on organizing activities that allowed students to have fun and get to know their community in non-academic settings. One of my favorite experiences was hosting events on the New Bund campus. Space plays a huge role in how creative we can get with our events. For instance, the Carnival of Terror used to be held in the old campus cafeteria, which was quite small. With the new campus, we have had much more room to bring our ideas to life, making the carnival more exciting and engaging. One thing I am particularly proud of as Events Director was bringing in vendors from the surrounding Qiantan area to host booths during our events. These vendors have shops near our campus, and I thought it was a great opportunity for students to connect with local businesses and explore the city’s offerings. It also helped foster a sense of outreach and interaction between our university community and Shanghai.

This year, I have been fortunate to be elected as President of the Student Government. One of my key initiatives has been creating a new branch called the Academic Affairs Committee. This committee is designed to address students’ academic concerns by providing a formal outlet for them to share their thoughts. It will also serve as a bridge between students and university leadership, ensuring effective communication about academic issues. Moving forward, this committee will become an official part of Student Government. The Student Government is a large organization with many committees, each serving a unique purpose to ensure that students’ voices are heard. It’s been incredibly rewarding to contribute to such a meaningful part of our NYU Shanghai community.

Aside from Student Government, were you involved in other Campus activities?

I was also an Orientation Ambassador and later an Orientation Captain. These roles gave me valuable experience in mentorship, which I believe has greatly influenced my work in Student Government. The skills I developed during orientation, like guiding and supporting others, have contributed to my success on the Events Team and now as President. I really enjoyed being part of Orientation because I loved helping new students adapt to life at NYU Shanghai. Transitioning here is not easy, for international students, adjusting to living and studying in Shanghai can be challenging, and for Chinese students, moving into a new environment away from home can be equally tough.

Through my involvement in Orientation, I hoped to provide new students with a strong foundation to build on and help them feel more at home within our NYU Shanghai community. It is rewarding to think that I might have played a part in helping someone find their place here.

Is there anything you would like to share with your donors?

I just want to say thank you to my donors. The scholarship is a great help when students are put into really rough situations that are unexpected. Most students can’t fully pay their way through college on their own, so having individuals who are willing to support students they have never even met is both inspiring and deeply appreciated. Not everyone has the ability to give, and those who do, and choose to, are truly remarkable. I admire them greatly for their generosity and hope that one day I can pay it forward and make a difference in someone’s life the way they have in mine.

What are you planning for after graduation?

I hope to continue my global education by applying for a graduate school scholarship in Korea, where I plan to pursue an MBA. My goal is to build a career with a global focus—one that allows me to work across different locations and provides opportunities to travel and engage with diverse cultures.