Anybody that knows me, knows I am a huge fan of my alma mater, the University of Virginia. Not only is it one of the best academic institutions nationally and internationally, my college days were instrumental in making me the person I am today.
As an English Literature major, with a minor in Asian history, my time at UVA was a transformative period in my life. Not only did I meet my best friends there, but intellectually it was one of the most important times for me.
The university taught me about critical analysis and thinking. Before beginning my undergraduate studies, I also attended UVA’s writing camp which basically cemented my identity as a writer while giving me tools that I base much of my writing on even today.
It was a huge honor to be invited by the Alumni Association and AAPAAN to return to UVA to talk about rape culture, media, diversity and feminism, the first time I have been asked to speak at my beloved alma mater.
Of course, there was no way to sugarcoat the barrage of press the university has received for campus sexual assault and race relations. The stipulation I made in my talk was that there are issues campuses across the US are dealing with.
In many ways, UVA being put in the spotlight allows us the opportunity to be at the forefront of changing a college culture and the role of Greek life within it.
Thank you so much to the university and AAPAAN for this honor and opportunity.