Global Union president aims to share cultural diversity across campus

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Harshita Sood, third-year environmental science major and Global Union president.

Newly elected Global Union president, Harshita Sood, a third-year environmental science major, has big plans for the organization next year and hopes to share the cultural diversity of Global Union with RIT. Global Union encompasses a wide variety of clubs that promote cultural diversity and is hosting Grassroot Soccer at 10 a.m. April 28 on the turf field. Proceeds will go to Grassroots which helps spread awareness about HIV and AIDS among youth in Africa.

Question: Where are you from?
Answer: Kolkata, India.

Q: What brought you to RIT?
A: What drew me was the environmental science program, the excellent research opportunities and the cultural diversity at RIT. In addition, I have always wanted to study animal behavior and work with tigers, so RIT was the obvious choice.

Q: What is Global Union?
A: Global Union is one of the major student organizations at RIT that represents international students and promotes cultural diversity. Global Union includes 22 affiliated culture clubs and all international students at RIT.

Q: What made you want to be Global Union president?
A: My team and I have a strong vision for Global Union next year. I wanted to be president of Global Union to ensure that our goals do not remain incomplete.

Q: What other activities are you involved in on campus?
A: I was a member of International House, during my first two years at RIT, where I was the treasurer and president of the Special Interest House Activities Committee. I am currently a resident advisor for Sol Heumann Hall, peer advisor leader and a member of the College of Science Research Scholars Program.

Q: What is something about you that most people do not know?
A: I am fluent in five languages—English, Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi and American Sign Language. I have never taken an ASL class at RIT—I learned all the ASL I know by interacting with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Q: What advice would you give to other RIT students?
A: There is something for everyone at RIT—clubs, sports, academic groups, honors societies and so on. Try and take advantage of it. Pay attention to what clubs, major student organizations and RAs are doing and there will always be something to do. Also, RIT really cares about cultural diversity. Everyone should appreciate it and learn a little more about the cultures that we represent—it will open your eyes to a whole new world.

Brittany Remington compiles “Student Spotlights” for University News. Contact her at bjr8272@rit.edu with suggestions.