TRINA SANYAL
my communities
The organizations outlined below have been grounds for immense growth and love for community. Hover over each to find out more about what they do, and what I've done as a part of them.
As Director of SAPAC, I've had the pleasure of leading and supporting South Asian student activists at Tufts. As an organization, we host five events each semester,open to all students, inviting faculty and professors as speakers. Hosting events on Kashmir, on South Asians living in the U.S., and on diaspora at large has not only allowed me to sharpen my skills as a community leader, but has also taught me to embrace my own politic, culture and identity as a South Asian person.
From September 2018 to August 2019, I've had the privilege of working at the Welcome Project, an immigration and education nonprofit located in the Mystic Housing Projects. It is here that I've learned the most about the issues that affect Somerville's most vulnerable populations. I've been a youth educator, preparing first gen students for college readiness. I've used my language skills in both Bengali and French to be a casewroker for immigrants in the greater Boston Area. I've taught a curriculum for cultural competency to youth as young as five, and have learned the skills necessary to become a community interpreter. Communicating with constituents, organizing community events between GOAL Somerville, Shortstop, and the LIPS program have taught me all I know now about what it takes to be an effective advocate.
As a peer leader and intern at the Tufts Women's Center, I've become a part of a wonderful community that continuously centers students at the margins. As a peer leader, I've been in charge of welcoming first years, providing student accessibility resources, and supported students who are in the LGBTQ+ community. I've also maintained the center's social media presences, and founded Comic Relief through my work at the Women's Center. Being a community leader in this position has enabled me to become a part of critical conversations on campus regarding student diversity and how Tufts can work to support its students. The Women's Center has given me a true home away from home, with people who I can lean on, and who I know can always lean on me as well.