Tell us a few things about yourself (family, job, things that bring you joy).
I was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and have lived in the United States since I was young. I work as a Program Coordinator for Multicultural Student Services at UVA, where I provide programming and support for the APIDA (Asian/Pacific Islander/Desi American) and Middle Eastern/North African student communities. I interact with and manage a wide variety of services sponsored by our office, such as peer mentoring, leadership development, peer education, student organization support, and individual student support. I enjoy how I am continuously learning and being challenged to think critically about student development and serving communities that have been historically marginalized at the University.
What did you do when you were a student at UVA?
I was a member of various Asian-based cultural organizations, including the Asian Student Union, OYFA (the Organization of Young Filipino Americans) and VSA (the Vietnamese Student Association). I was also a Resident Advisor (for two years) and then the Senior Resident of the International Residential College during my fifth year. Additionally, I was involved in the Asian Pacific American Leadership Training Institute as a member of the cohort during my first year and then spent my second through fourth years on the facilitator team assisting in the development and delivery of weekly sessions about leadership through social change and identity development.
Tell us about a woman/women at UVA who inspires you – now, or during your time on Grounds.
A woman who inspires me is my boss, Vicki Gist, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Multicultural Student Services. Her devotion to students is something I strive for in my own work. She cares about the holistic existence and wellbeing of our students and has always been a consistent advocate. The intentional, thoughtful, and dedicated manner in which she interacts with and supports marginalized communities on grounds is truly admirable and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from her!
Is there anything related to women’s history at the University that you would like to learn more about?
I would love to learn more about the history of women of color/women with various intersecting identities and their lives at the University. I think it’s very important to intentionally center the stories of those who have been historically marginalized, as these accounts are essential in providing a sense of communal resilience to others who carry similar identities.