Meet Asha University of Pittsburgh Board

Asha University of Pittsburgh E-Board

1. 1. President: Avani Kolla
      

      My name is Avani and I am a senior Neuroscience major. I am President and co-founder of Asha for Education Pittsburgh. I decided to co-found Asha because I believe education has an incredible potential to empower people. For example, while volunteering at a rural school in India, I saw how education gave the children there the skills and confidence to venture out of their village, access the rest of the world and believe in their own abilities. I also realized that there are far too many children across India and across the globe that do not have adequate access to such education. By being a part of Asha, I hope to touch the lives of even a few children by advocating for their education and empowerment.

   2. Vice-President: Meera Rajput
      
      My name is Meera and I am a junior Psychology major with an Economics minor. I am currently Vice-President for this chapter and passionate about Asha for Education because I believe education is one of the most important parts of society. Society is always progressing forward, and children are the ones that further better the future and that progress. If children do not have the proper access to even basic education, our future jobs, technology, and innovation will fall to the wayside. It may not seem as drastic as this since the effects take years to show, but it makes such a significant impact. I know we may seem like one organization in a sea of many education service organizations, but I believe that these children should at least feel like there is a small group of people out there trying to help them in whatever way possible. Sometimes, the connection we can make with these children, is really what matters rather than trying to solve all the education problems of the world at once.

1. 1. Secretary: Geetha Vasudevan 

      My name is Geetha and I am a senior Neuroscience major with a Chemistry and Economics minor. I am secretary for this chapter and I am in charge of meeting minutes, communication to members of the club, and help with the logistics of our events. I am passionate about Asha because I strongly believe that education is both directly and indirectly the solution to many problems. Specifically, I believe that the gender gap and sexism that is often seen in India can be fixed through educating women and allowing them to be independent. Asha for Education is an outlet for my urge to help with these problems and I am glad I am helping to make a difference. 

   2. Vice President, Steel City Sapna: Harsh Agarwal
      My name is Harsh, and I am a senior Neuroscience, Psychology, and Religious Studies triple major, pre-med. Last year, we started this fun idea to host a fusion/a cappella competition, and that spiraled into a new position which I currently hold- Vice President- Steel City Sapna. It’s my job to ensure that we host a successful event and raise money for our mission in India. I joined Asha after I went back to India over the summer senior year of high school and saw the conditions kids and families had to deal with. Almost my entire family lives there, so I understand their perspective, which in turn has broadened my understanding. I hope to provide yet another perspective to anyone willing to listen- that’s why I joined Asha. I also want to give back to the culture from which I come from and from which generations of Agarwals come from.

1. 1. Project Coordinator: Rehana Saifee

      My name is Rehana, and I am a sophomore Economics and Psychology major. As the Project Coordinator for this chapter, I act as a liaison between Asha Pittsburgh chapter and MIT chapter for the long term project we are working on and raising money for. I am passionate about the Asha message because I have a soft spot for educating low-income children and those without the resources that I have had throughout my own life. Asha encourages action and discussion for a problem that plagues India. I deeply care about the lack of educational rights and options provided to students all over the world. Asha’s mission is important to me because I believe there is a collective responsibility for us (as students receiving a college education) to push for basic educational rights for everyone.

      Asha University of Pittsburgh Board
      
      

   2.  Public Relations Chair: Divya Gupta
      My name is Divya and I am a junior Health Information Management major. As Public Relations Chair, I believe in Asha’s mission to provide education to underprivileged children in India. Education is a powerful tool with amazing benefits, and it should be accessible to everyone. I want to help drive Asha’s mission forward by creating awareness in the local and global community through my public relation skills.

1. 1.  Freshmen Chair: Vijay Vedachalam
      My name is Vijay and I am a freshman majoring in Molecular Biology. I am the Freshman Chair and am responsible for recruiting other freshman and assisting in setting up for events. I joined Asha for Education because the cause in providing education for children in India is very personal to me. When my father was growing up in South India, he struggled through poverty with his widowed mother and brother. He found refuge in his studies, and his focus on education is what brought him opportunity to rise from poverty and provide a better future for his family in America. I hope to create more awareness and to fundraise along with Asha for Education, so that children in India can have the same opportunities that my father had.
      

1. 1.  Freshmen Chair: Salonee Saraiya 

      
      My name is Salonee and I am a freshman engineering major. As the Freshman Chair for Asha, I hope to encourage freshmen to attend our club GBMs and events and help the e-board setup events. I lived in Mumbai, India for the past 10 years and I have witnessed the difference in society and gap between the upper and lower class. I have always had the emotional and financial support for my education and am aware that not many have a similar luxury. Through Asha, I hope to raise funds for educating the underprivileged children of India which will on the on run eradicate illiteracy and create a wholly educated nation.

   2. Fundraising Chair: Swetha Jasti
      My name is Swetha and I am a freshmen neuroscience major. I am the fundraising chair for this chapter  and I am excited to join Asha this year because I truly believe education is a tool that can help everyone. I want to help children who don’t have the same privilege that we do to foster a passion for knowledge.

1. 1. Outreach Chair: Megan ConrowMy name is Megan and I am a senior Neuroscience major, Gender Studies and Spanish minor.  I’m this year’s Outreach Chair for Asha, so I contact other school and community organizations to team up with on service events, and seek out community volunteer opportunities for club members.  Last year, I joined Asha as the inaugural Awareness Chair because I was inspired by the mission of the club to not only raise funds for, but also promote awareness of education inequalities in India.  I think this is something most college students don’t have much knowledge of, and it’s awesome that Asha is committed to helping with both finance and knowledge.

1. Awareness Chair: Nikhyl Sud
   
   

   My name is Nikhyl and I’m a junior Economics major. I’m serving as the awareness chair this year, and I’m excited to lead some interesting discussions during our general board meetings! I’ve been interested in education since starting college, and I joined Asha for Education to help ensure all children have access to an adequate education, no matter what situation they come from.