Profiles In Student Leadership: Sakshi Gupta, International Student Association

Today Aggies are more diverse than in any other time in history. They come from all walks of life and many systems of belief, from across the nation and more than 125 countries around the world. But regardless of the differences, all Texas A&M University students, alumni, faculty and staff are united by one thing: they are all Aggies. For Sakshi Gupta, president of the International Student Association (ISA) and a native of India, it’s the intangibles of being an Aggie that “make me feel comfortable and blessed to be at Texas A&M.

“Being a part of the Aggie family and all the friendly people here, our core values and watching people practicing them — this all glues me to this university,” says Gupta, who was born in New Delhi and came to Texas A&M last fall to pursue her master’s in the Professional Program in Biotechnology (PPiB).

ISA is the umbrella organization over all the international and cultural clubs at Texas A&M. “We proudly represent more than 5,000 international students enrolled at Texas A&M,” she states. “This university is very friendly to international students as it provides high-quality education in an economical manner, there are a plethora of opportunities for scholarships and a vast network of organizations to help international students to develop. I felt more welcomed here than I had imagined. And the Texas climate is very similar to New Delhi, so I love it here!”

In addition to her role as ISA president, Gupta works as a graduate assistant in the Career Center where she gives career advice to the life sciences students. She has been an executive member of numerous organizations including the Biotechnology Society, Association of International Student Organizations and the Indian Graduate Student Association. She participates in numerous Aggie endeavors including Aggie Replant and Big Event, as well as serving as a judge during Student Research Week.

Gupta has been honored numerous times for her outstanding performance as an international student and leader, this year winning the Eppright Outstanding International Student Award and the Outstanding ISA Executive Award.

She says she’s learned much as a result of her leadership roles — even through failure. “What I’ve learned is to be a ‘person of words’ and do what I’ve promised,” she explains. “I have failed at times, but that made me realize where I went wrong. Any position you take should be about the people you are serving rather than about you. I try to focus on positives and cherish relationships. To be honest, I’m still learning each day by watching the people around me.”

Gupta’s sister Jyotsna, a major inspiration for her move to America, just completed her master’s in biotechnology at Columbia University. “We came to the U.S.A. together; she has been my guiding light,” Gupta says, adding that she’s also enjoyed the support of her parents, who are “super helpful and have the wisdom of the world.”

In addition to I-Week, numerous outreach and charitable missions throughout the year, ISA participates in Worldfest, an annual celebration of the many cultures and heritages of Brazos Valley residents. This year’s event is happening today and tomorrow (Nov. 15-16) at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater and Park in College Station

“ISA is participating in Worldfest cultural displays as well as the competition,” Gupta notes. “We wish to make our booth as interactive and fun as possible so that people learn something. We’ll have a photo booth, Turban tying, map painting, a cultural IQ competition and henna tattooing.”

She says events such as Worldfest give everyone in the community the opportunity to learn from one another. “The festivities, arts and crafts, and food in such a cheerful environment allow us all to connect with one another and appreciate different cultures.”

Gupta says ISA has also started “I-Cause” this year. “This Thanksgiving we are collecting gently-used shoes from Texas A&M students, faculty and staff to be donated to underprivileged people in other countries,” she explains. Shoes will be collected from Nov. 18-22, and the boxes are set up in MSC lobby, Evans, Commons and Vet School.

Gupta, who is 23 years old, says she plans to graduate from Texas A&M next spring and plans to use her “people skills” as a social entrepreneur. “After completing my master’s, I wish to go into an industry in a managerial position and use the skills that I’m learning by leading my wonderful ISA team. I also like advising people and that could be a potential job area for me.”

She acknowledges that coming to Texas A&M from India took a lot of adjustment, but that the Aggie family has embraced her. “I was away from my parents for the first time,” she shares. “It was a whole new world of learning to adjust, develop and discover myself. Being at Texas A&M has taught me to be honest and true with myself and others. If you believe in yourself and approach others with a pure heart, I believe God will take care of you.”