Creating a sense of belonging starts with taking initiative. Student Shivani S. shares how she helped establish the South Asian Students Association to build community and celebrate culture on campus. From organizing student events to launching a podcast, Shivani reflects on the leadership experiences, challenges and lessons that have shaped her college journey.
This story is part of a series spotlighting campus leaders during Women’s History Month.
Creating a Community Through Leadership
What is your role in your organization?
As an underclassman, I quickly realized that there wasn’t a community dedicated to South Asians on campus. My friend and I worked together to found South Asian Students Association (SASA) to provide that inclusive community. I currently serve as copresident. I work with the rest of the executive board to fill the calendar year with social events catered to South Asian culture and conversation.
Learning to Lead and Collaborate
What have you learned in your role as a leader?
You can’t run away from tough conversations. It’s your job to be able to have these conversations and sometimes even just facilitate between peers. The most important thing to learn as a leader is to listen and observe before making any decision. This has helped me with many of my other commitments aside from SASA.
What’s your favorite memory as a leader or at Rowan in general?
There’s so many! One that immediately comes to mind is organizing a Fall Leadership Conference through Residence Hall Association (RHA). The organization manages about $20,000 to plan events for the residents of Rowan. This conference was catered for the the RAs and ARDs. It was a long process to plan everything however delegating each responsibility to an executive board member contributed to the success of the event. Without the rest of the team, the event wouldn’t have happened!
Finding Inspiration and Advocating for Women
Who inspires you and why?
My mom inspires and motivates me the most. She’s gone through so much and has so much wisdom. Migrating to the U.S. is not easy. She has been a pillar in the family and has done it all with grace. She also has a ton of patience! Don’t know how she does it!
What’s the most significant barrier to women today?
Underrepresentation at every level. It’s a cycle. Because of negative biases against women, women have a tougher time getting into a career of their choice. The ways of thinking that women are not equal to men need to be diminished. Only then will we be taking the right step towards equity.
Advice for Future Student Leaders
What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?
Just DO! Whatever you want to see on campus, start planning and talking to the right people to make it happen. Start a business, create TikToks, choose the career you want to pursue! Jump in head first, troubleshoot as you go. Don’t overthink it. And always talk to people and get advice. You don’t always have to listen to the advice, but getting multiple perspectives is important.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks to all the leadership opportunities I received through Rowan, I gained the most valuable skills to be the best leader I can be. It also pushed me to jump in head first into a business I had no idea about. My best friend and I started a podcast, Call Me Whenever, in August 2020 showcasing an Indian and Nigerian friendship. We’ve had guests from all around the world. This has furthered my network and I couldn’t thank all the opportunities I had in between to learn.
Story by:
Marian Suganob, senior public relations and advertising double major
Photos by:
Quintin Stinney, sophomore radio/TV/film major
About Rowan
Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has evolved from a teacher preparation college to a public research institution ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and professional certificates in person and online to nearly 25,000 students through its main campus in Glassboro and its eight other locations in southern New Jersey. Rowan focuses on practical research at the intersection of health care, engineering, science and business, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. The University has earned national recognition for innovation; commitment to high-quality, affordable education; and the development of public-private partnerships. A Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity) institution, Rowan is the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast and among the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing, as reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, Rowan opened New Jersey’s only veterinary school and is one of only two universities in the nation to offer M.D., D.O., and D.V.M. medical degrees.