Gaurav Harshe was elected president of the Graduate Student Association in April, and he has been working over the summer to prepare the organization for the start of the fall semester and beyond.
As a part of the Leadership and Service Center, a hub for campus resources, the association serves graduate and professional students by providing support, hosting community events and advocating for student needs.
Entering his third year of a doctoral program at the College of Education, Harshe is learning to facilitate strong university communities through the higher education administration program. Essentially learning how to run a university, Harshe takes a special interest in studying how to help students succeed, especially those coming from marginalized communities.
As an international student himself, Harshe has a unique view on the student experience. Coming to the U.S. after studying at the University of Mumbai, India, Harshe also has studied at other American universities. He chose the doctoral program at USC because of its exceptional faculty researchers and thriving on-campus community.
Harshe says his participation in Graduate Student Association gives him the opportunity to apply his doctoral research and find sustainable institutional solutions to better support his fellow graduate and professional students, colleagues and friends.
Why did you decide to get involved with the Graduate Student Association?
I had already been involved in graduate student associations at my master’s level education at a different university. I really wanted to research and even provide service to the community of international students. Coming to a new country, new culture and learning a new language can be very daunting. I really wanted to help these students and support their transition.
How can other graduate students get involved?
We have a 25-30 people cabinet and try to have someone posted in every position. It offers students the chance to get their portfolios working, take what is valuable and speak to their accomplishments after they finish their term. And we've had a lot of international students participate. They just want to have their voices heard, and about 25% of our cabinet is made up of international students every year. We really create a safe space. At our events, we have food from all different regions and countries, which creates a sense of hope and community.
How does the association serve students?
We function as a kind of lighthouse for graduate students and help direct students to different offices depending on their questions. Also, the finance committee allocates money to support graduate organizations and supply them with the materials they need.
What is your favorite association event?
I think the town hall is a really good event. The event goes on for two hours and students can come in at any point to voice their opinion, fill out a survey, eat free food and leave when they need to. It's not necessarily our most fun event, but it really lets us know what graduate students are going through and what they need from the university. It gives us a pulse of where students are.
How can students learn more?
We have our office in the Leadership and Service Center in Russell House. So, people can find us in our exec offices and the lounge area right there in the center of campus. We also do fall and spring socials held off campus in downtown Columbia to have appetizers and drinks and create a space for graduate students to meet each other, mingle or just relax. We also have mentorship luncheons for our different affinity groups, like for Black students or the women’s group.
Learn more
Visit the Graduate Student Association online for more information and to learn about opportunities to get involved.