Advocating for diversity has been Hershila Lallu’s first priority since coming to the University of Central Arkansas, and it shows in her work.
For instance, in her first year on Student Government Association as sophomore class president, Lallu created Speaking Spirituality, a series of lectures dedicated to learning about a variety of religions.
“So, my family is Hindu, and of course I’ve grown up around mainly Christianity,” said Lallu, who is now SGA president. “A lot of my friends are Christian, so they always have questions like, ‘What does this mean? Why do you do this? What do you do? What holidays do you celebrate?’ But they didn’t know how to ask without being rude or offensive.”
Lallu has also had involvement with the Indian Student Association and a minority mentorship program, through which she helped freshmen learn how to lead successful college careers.
“Diversity goes beyond the color of your skin,” she said. “Diversity encompasses someone who is a first-generation college student, someone who comes from a background where education has been the norm in their family and socioeconomic status.”
In her current role as SGA president, Lallu has reworked the SGA constitution and bylaws, helped bring speakers such as We End Violence director Jeffrey Bucholtz and helped several University projects receive funding.
Outside of SGA, there’s no question UCA has made an incalculable impact on Lallu. In 2017, she had the opportunity to attend the Arkansas Student Leadership Forum, which led to her nomination to attend the National Student Leadership Forum that same year. In February 2018, Lallu went to the National Student Leadership Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., and Student Weekend in Annapolis, Maryland.
Lallu said the prayer breakfast was an “unbelievable opportunity,” as she was in attendance with world leaders and 35,000 people from across the world, and heard remarks from President Donald Trump.
Academically, she has been able to intern with UCA’s Student Wellness and Development for her pre-occupational therapy major in the Department of Health Sciences. In spring 2018, she began a Global Health Fellowship with the United Nations Foundation that focuses on interacting with those in public office and advocating for global health issues.
After graduation in May 2018, Lallu aims to attend graduate school for occupational therapy. Her hope is that campus becomes more united and that the campus community utilizes its biggest educational resource: each other.
“It’s hard for me to imagine ever leaving UCA,” Lallu said. “I want to travel and see the world, but I just wish I could pick up UCA and take it with me. The people and experiences I’ve had here have really made it a home.”