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Voting closes Monday 3/7/2016 at 11:59 PM
Candidates (2016 Elections) for various roles are listed below (in order of application).
President
Neha Paddillaya
Major: Biological Sciences
Program: PhD
Expected Graduation: 5/1/2019
What do you like about CISA?
CISA has become a source of information and advice for incoming students from India in every step towards joining Clemson and getting started with an exciting life here in the states. The events conducted by CISA has not only helped us in overcoming homesickness by creating a homely atmosphere but also spread the awareness among the international community about India and its rich culture. Where else could we go for desi useful information beforehand?
What do you dislike about CISA?
We need to have more events spaced out evenly in time to build a stronger organization. Have more involvement from all the members of the organization rather than just the event organizing team. Have a balance of informative as well as cultural events.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
I am definitely proud to be a part of this organization and would like to pay it forward by leading this organization in the coming year. Many Indian graduate students face serious challenges in coping with the challenges of the university requirements, and on many occasions, they are unaware of the resources available on campus to help resolve their issues. Through events like socials, information sessions me and my team would create a platform for Indian students to develop a strong network base that is both resourceful as well as engaging.
Disha Shah
Major:Construction Science and Management
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation:12/15/2017
What do you like about CISA?
CISA empowers students to come together and cherish Indian culture simultaneously it portrays the beauty of my mother land.
What do you dislike about CISA?
Inefficient awareness due to lack of proper publicity for the freshers.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
My plan is four fold
First – Increase in the number of active participants.
Second – Robust planning accompanied with smart marketing of all the events that CISA plans.
Third – Strengthening the core values of CISA and rigorously promoting Indian culture.
Fourth – Empowering others to continue the legacy.
Chaitanya Banthia
Major: Civil Engineering
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation: 5/12/2017
What do you like about CISA?
1. That CISA is a lifeline for students from the day they get an acceptance letter from Clemson University, till long after they have graduated and settled in the US.
2. CISA has provided answers for questions ranging from ‘How to get an SSN’ to ‘How to get rid of bedbugs’
This association has always endeavored to maintain a positive image of the Indian community and has successfully delivered.
What do you dislike about CISA?
1. The image of CISA events = Free Indian Food.
Although the food is undeniably mouthwatering, CISA needs to work on the events in a way that reasons for the celebrations (the culture and traditions) are clear.
2. Members get together four/five times a year and there is no interaction in the time between these events.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
In my term, my aim would be to change the perception of the word ‘Indian’ from a type of a cuisine and to portray that our country is just as colorful and diverse as our food.
I plan to achieve this by adding events throughout the next academic year along with our traditional celebrations. The small activities may be related to rangoli/kolam, mehendi/henna, traditional attire, patang/kites and more.
India has a rich sports culture and I plan on arranging live screenings and physical matches for members willing to participate. We have students who have excellent skills in music and I aim at providing them a platform to showcase their skills.
There have been requests for more events, especially in the spring semester. Along with additions to major celebrated festivals (Republic Day, Pongal), I plan to organize events related to Indian cuisine and arts in the spring semester. Special care will be taken regarding transportation for CU-ICAR students and I aim at having a representative from CU-ICAR who will help in coordinating during all these events.
The sole purpose of having all these events is to have people come together and know that we are together as one.
Vice President
Karan Agarwal
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation: 5/31/2017
What do you like about CISA?
CISA makes the journey from the point of getting an admit from Clemson University to the arrival in Clemson comfortable and hassle free.
What do you dislike about CISA?
Lack of Social Initiatives, proper information about Banking, and Involvement of ICAR students.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
The CISA committee of 2015-16 has done a commendable job and it has made it nearly impossible to identify any scope for improvement. In addition to the efforts to live up to the high standards set by the current committee, I would like the new committee to pursue a 3-point agenda that can complement the basic ideology of CISA:
1. Potential for Social Initiatives.
Association for India’s Development (AID) Clemson University student chapter supports development projects in the rural parts of India. It organizes various events (eg. World of Dances), to get the Indian community in and around Clemson involved in its efforts. In order to help AID in achieving its goals, I would encourage CISA volunteers to help AID during its events. Also, I would try to convince the new committee to donate the extra funds received from CISA sponsors to AID. (AID has an annual budget of $12000 for running a school in Murshidabad, West Bengal).
2. PNC Bank
PNC is a sponsor for CISA in 2015-16. Although CISA recommends students to open an account in PNC on its website, it has not mentioned the advantages of the same. I list some important ones to explain my point: 1. PNC provides unlimited free in-bound international wire transfers (Bank of America does not) 2. There is no annual fee required (Bank of America requires above 23 years of age). 3. It gives unlimited free cheques (Carolina Real Estate, property manager, requires the rent to be paid via cheques). Students generally prefer to open their accounts in Bank of America due to its close proximity to Elm Street and lack of awareness about the student friendly rules of PNC.
If the new committee is successful in encouraging more students to open accounts in PNC, we or the future committees can argue for higher sponsorship funds, which can be used to conduct more events.
3. Greater involvement of ICAR students.
Due to the long distance between ICAR and main campus and improper connectivity (Greenlink sucks!), most of the ICAR students do not attend the CISA events and are forced to remain isolated. I would try to organize some events in Greenville, and also encourage students owning vehicles from main campus to transport the interested students to main campus for special events.
Komal Lagu
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation: 5/12/2017
What do you like about CISA?
I am pleased and impressed by the arrangements made by CISA for new students joining Clemson, for temporary accommodations and pick-up from the airport despite of the numerous hassles and the large number of people involved.
I have to mention the arrangements for the delightful food served on the celebration of various festivals.
What do you dislike about CISA?
It would be great if there are more number of events planned for the Spring semester.
Permanent CISA members do not have any sort of receipt or confirmation about their membership, having paid $20.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
Organizing the celebration of Republic day, Pongal, Ganpati and possibly the screening of a few coveted cricket or football( International/American) matches would definitely be on the list.
I would like to offer CISA members some sort of token in the form of a t shirt/coffee-mug/key-chain/sticker.
I would take efforts to improve the frequency of communication between the members and core team of CISA and to communicate the capabilities of CISA to help its members.
It is slightly saddening to see how people from different parts of India remain grouped and don’t mingle much. I have also seen a tinge of enmity between these groups. I would want to take steps to reduce this in some way ( I am still thinking how).
Sanjay Bhardwaj
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation:5/7/2017
What do you like about CISA?
CISA played a major part, from the initial stages by helping fresh grads settle down and later conducting festive events, in making Clemson feel like home.
What do you dislike about CISA?
Relatively fewer number of events.
Can improve the involvement of ICAR students.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
I’ll try my best to continue the work CISA has successfully done all these years, mainly by helping new students settle down and making them feel less miserable.
Improve the recognition of the club in Clemson.
Also, improve the collaboration with AID to conduct more events*fun* and fund raisers for India’s development.
Secretary
Karan Agarwal
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation: 5/31/2017
What do you like about CISA?
CISA makes the journey from the point of getting an admit from Clemson University to the arrival in Clemson comfortable and hassle free.
What do you dislike about CISA?
Lack of Social Initiatives, proper information about Banking, and Involvement of ICAR students.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
The CISA committee of 2015-16 has done a commendable job and it has made it nearly impossible to identify any scope for improvement. In addition to the efforts to live up to the high standards set by the current committee, I would like the new committee to pursue a 3-point agenda that can complement the basic ideology of CISA:
1. Potential for Social Initiatives.
Association for India’s Development (AID) Clemson University student chapter supports development projects in the rural parts of India. It organizes various events (eg. World of Dances), to get the Indian community in and around Clemson involved in its efforts. In order to help AID in achieving its goals, I would encourage CISA volunteers to help AID during its events. Also, I would try to convince the new committee to donate the extra funds received from CISA sponsors to AID. (AID has an annual budget of $12000 for running a school in Murshidabad, West Bengal).
2. PNC Bank
PNC is a sponsor for CISA in 2015-16. Although CISA recommends students to open an account in PNC on its website, it has not mentioned the advantages of the same. I list some important ones to explain my point: 1. PNC provides unlimited free in-bound international wire transfers (Bank of America does not) 2. There is no annual fee required (Bank of America requires above 23 years of age). 3. It gives unlimited free cheques (Carolina Real Estate, property manager, requires the rent to be paid via cheques). Students generally prefer to open their accounts in Bank of America due to its close proximity to Elm Street and lack of awareness about the student friendly rules of PNC.
If the new committee is successful in encouraging more students to open accounts in PNC, we or the future committees can argue for higher sponsorship funds, which can be used to conduct more events.
3. Greater involvement of ICAR students.
Due to the long distance between ICAR and main campus and improper connectivity (Greenlink sucks!), most of the ICAR students do not attend the CISA events and are forced to remain isolated. I would try to organize some events in Greenville, and also encourage students owning vehicles from main campus to transport the interested students to main campus for special events.
Om Joshi
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation:5/7/2017
What do you like about CISA?
CISA takes every possible effort to help new students joining Clemson University right from arranging temporary accommodations to any other difficulties which new student faces.
What do you dislike about CISA?
CISA can improve in time management for the event. Every event must start at mentioned time and should not be delayed as well as it should cover all the planned performances in the given time.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
As I have mentioned that CISA needs to improve in time management for the events. As a Secretary, I would like to organize, manage and setup CISA events in more effective way which can enhance the entertaining experience of the event. I would also like to take care of emotions of the performers by providing them sufficient time and proper setup for their performance.
Treasurer
Karan Agarwal
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation: 5/31/2017
What do you like about CISA?
The food in the events.
What do you dislike about CISA?
Abscence of Social Initiatives
How do you plan to make CISA better?
Collaboration with AID
Zaker Ali Syed
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Program: PhD
Expected Graduation: 5/1/2020
What do you like about CISA?
Thanks for the help with the transportation from the airport. Appreciate it.
What do you dislike about CISA?
Very less interaction with the new students. I am new here and haven’t met a single person from CISA so far.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
I have been a cultural mentor at Colorado State University (CSU). I was trained by the Office of International Programs to help international students (all countries) cope with cultural shock and help them adjust in the new lifestyle here. I have experience in organizing such events and am quite adept at handling large crowds. I plan to use my experience from CSU and create a more welcoming atmosphere for new admits. Also, even though I am new here and have very few friends I am quite good at making new friends and working with/leading a team.
I have experience with handling and organizing events in the past. I am confident I can handle this position well.
Ashwin Srikanth Sridharan
Major: Electrical engineering
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation: 5/24/2017
What do you like about CISA?
Everything
What do you dislike about CISA?
Cant think of anything
How do you plan to make CISA better?
More involvement of Americans in CISA events
Welcome Administrator
Zaker Ali Syed
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Program: PhD
Expected Graduation: 5/1/2020
What do you like about CISA?
Thanks for the help with the transportation from the airport. Appreciate it.
What do you dislike about CISA?
Very less interaction with the new students. I am new here and haven’t met a single person from CISA so far.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
I have been a cultural mentor at Colorado State University (CSU). I was trained by the Office of International Programs to help international students (all countries) cope with cultural shock and help them adjust in the new lifestyle here. I have experience in organizing such events and am quite adept at handling large crowds. I plan to use my experience from CSU and create a more welcoming atmosphere for new admits. Also, even though I am new here and have very few friends I am quite good at making new friends and working with/leading a team.
Paritra Mandal
Major:Genetics and Biochemistry
Program: PhD
Expected Graduation:8/8/2018
What do you like about CISA?
I like their incessant efforts in bringing the Indian graduate students together and the openness with which they welcome other international students to the events. Honestly its the best way that I can meet a lot of my friends together in a place those that I haven’t seen in a while since its so hard to find time for that being a Phd student.
What do you dislike about CISA?
The fact that some events do not have as much preparation as they should bringing down the quality. But then bad days happen to everyone.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
I know this would expand beyond my duties as a Welcome administrator but I will consider working closely with the President/Vice president/Secretary so we can have an influx of ideas at all times along with my own responsibilities.
1. By engaging and collaborating with other Clemson student bodies so CISA spreads its influence not just on the Indian students but all other fellow Clemson student population as well.
2. Being more creative and enhance the quality of orientation events more which includes not only cultural but also keeping the new students informed and addressing their issues(if any) by giving them examples from our own experiences and solutions. These can be broadly categorized into academic(grades, fellowships, time management, building connections), important matters outside of academics(drivers license, SSN, OPT/CPT etc.)
miscellaneous(recreational trips, fun events, accomodation, counselling)
3. The transport system that takes care of welcoming students from the airport to their homes is already extremely well regulated, and maintaining the same standards should be a good enough current goal to keep for me.
Website Administrator
Vashist Kutti Suresh
Major: Computer Science
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation:5/1/2017
What do you like about CISA?
Does its best in conducting events and festivals, and lets us feel like home though we are more than 1000 miles away.
What do you dislike about CISA?
Honestly I don’t feel there needs to be any improvement in the organizational part. But CISA festivals and events can be advertised more widely, inviting and intriguing more people from other ethnic backgrounds to come,take part and learn about our traditions and festivals.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
As my part as a website administrator, I would like to make the webpage more attractive and mobile friendly. Also I would like to add more content into it, helping the prospective students and new students get information more easily.
Pallavi Karan
Major:Computer Science
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation:5/1/2017
What do you like about CISA?
Brings Indian culture together
What do you dislike about CISA?
Very less number of events organized
How do you plan to make CISA better?
Make the Webpages more informative, attractive and faster accessible.
Saurabh Hindlekar
Major:Computer Science
Program: Masters
Expected Graduation:4/29/2017
What do you like about CISA?
They help students to settle in, which is great.
What do you dislike about CISA?
There could be more events which are funner and less traditional.
How do you plan to make CISA better?
Helping out in anyway I can.