Leading from the front

For Pavithra Ramaprasad, a graduate of economics from the School of Business Administration (SBA), the Student Leadership Program (SLP) at AUS played a significant role in helping her realize her true potential. Inspired by a Peer Leader who guided and assisted her during her first year at university, Ramaprasad was motivated to play the same role for all those starting their academic journey at AUS. 

She joined SLP as a Peer Leader in the Fall of 2018 as a sophomore. That very semester, she got an opportunity to travel to South Africa for the International Youth Leadership Conference along with four other students. “It was an eye-opening trip and conference,” said Ramaprasad. “After that, I became an active member of SLP. I was a student employee, a Peer Leader, and then a Team Leader. The best part of the SLP experience is all the students you get to interact and make friends with as well as the chance to guide and help others experience a smooth transition to university life. I've seen lots of people join SLP and bloom as they realize their talents and potential!”

Having played an active role in designing and setting up booths at Club Fairs, organizing AUS Leadership Day events, as well as organizing and leading the first virtual AUS Leadership Conference as its director, Ramaprasad has won the Most Outstanding Student Leader award twice. “I was extremely honored to have won the Most Outstanding Student Leader award in 2019 and in 2021. Receiving it twice was very motivating and a wonderful validation of all my work,” she said. “The best memories I have of my time at SLP are of the wonderful interaction I had with the entire OSA and SLP team. There is always so much to learn from them. With conferences, skill workshops, peer mediation and more, so many opportunities opened up for me at SLP!”

The Student Leadership Program was not the only AUS activity that she excelled at during university. An ace student, Ramaprasad kept the SBA flag flying high with a regular appearance on the Chancellor’s List every year. “It’s been a privilege for me to interact and learn from so many experienced faculty members here at AUS. I’ve also been honored to lead the Student Economics Association as its President for 2020-2021. And it’s given me great pride to be selected as one of four Expo Student Champions representing AUS,” she said.

“One of my most successful achievements was attending Stanford University's summer program while representing AUS. Four students, including myself, had the distinct honor of being chosen to go to Stanford University in the summer of 2019. I took two courses there and also attended the Silicon Valley Innovation Academy. It was truly an honor and one of the best memories of my time at university,” she added.

“With the past year being online due to the pandemic, what I missed most was going around campus, organizing events, and participating in Global Day. I was a member of the Indian Cultural Club's executive board for two years. Winning the Best Performance award and the Best Club award both those years is a definite highlight for me!”

As a third culture kid of Indian origin raised in the UAE, Ramaprasad intends to work here for a couple of years to gain some professional experience before going to graduate school for her master’s. She is also looking forward to launching an ed-tech start-up called Ground Z and is committed to making it a success. With a stellar track record thus far, Ramaprasad is certain to continue making AUS proud!