CAD Senator
Bio
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
My name is Anaanya Poddar, and I am a third-year Industrial Design major with dual minors in Manufacturing Systems and Entrepreneurship. I am from New Delhi, India. Currently, I serve as the College of Art and Design Senator in Student Government and I am excited to be running again! I was also the PR and Media coordinator for Thought At Work. Next semester I will serve as the VP of External Affairs. I am in Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, where I was the Fundraising chair and did events like the Haunted Trail and now serve as the Health and Wellness Coordinator. Through my various leadership roles, I strive to foster stronger connections between students, faculty, and administration while ensuring that every voice within CAD is heard and valued.
Platform
Serving as the CAD Senior Representative for the past year has given me firsthand experience in student advocacy, administrative collaboration, and community-building within our college. Having already been engaged in CAD-related initiatives, student concerns, and faculty relations, I am prepared to step into this role without the learning curve, allowing me to immediately focus on making tangible progress for our students. One of my key initiatives has been establishing the CAD Student Advisory Board, ensuring that every school within CAD has representation. My goal is to leave behind a productive and sustainable legacy, making this board a strong, long-term platform for student concerns, ideas, and advocacy. I am also working on creating a free supplies station in CAD, where students can take materials they only need once or twice, reducing unnecessary purchases and promoting sustainability. This initiative will provide a shared resource space that eases the financial burden on students while ensuring that materials don’t go to waste. Additionally, I want to introduce an interdisciplinary CAD competition that brings together students from different schools within CAD to collaborate, showcase their skills, and build a strong portfolio piece. This initiative will foster teamwork, creativity, and professional growth, giving students the chance to work across disciplines and gain real-world project experience. To strengthen communication and transparency, I will implement an anonymous feedback outlet where students can voice concerns, ask questions, and provide suggestions without hesitation. Ensuring open dialogue and responsiveness will help make Student Government more approachable and effective. Beyond my existing initiatives, I aim to improve relations with CAD clubs and ensure that their events, needs, and projects receive the support they deserve. Clubs are a vital part of our creative community, and I want to enhance collaboration between Student Government and CAD clubs to amplify student opportunities. I have already developed working relationships with CAD faculty and staff, and I aim to further strengthen these connections to ensure students have better access to resources, support, and professional opportunities. If elected as CAD Senator, I will continue the initiatives I’ve started, enhance collaboration between students and administration, and create meaningful opportunities for all CAD students. With my experience and deep involvement in CAD, I am ready to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact. I hope to earn your vote and continue advocating for you!