Giving Back & Growing

Academic Communication & Event Organization

Serving my academic and broader communities has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. From leadership and advocacy to mentoring and organizing, these roles have helped me grow as a communicator, collaborator, and listener. Some positions let me build bridges between students and leadership, others gave me space to support international voices, or contribute to organizing large-scale events. Each experience has taught me something—about people, systems, and the quiet strength in showing up and helping things run better.

Roles & Responsibilities

Leadership & Governance

Vice Chair, Board of Directors

Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative (CTC) | 2025 - 2026

As an elected member of the Board of Directors, I represent co-op members by helping shape governance policies aligned with our community’s values and long-term vision.
My responsibilities include Strategic oversight, Financial stewardship, Compliance, and nd ensuring strong governance in accordance with the co-op’s bylaws.

Finance Committee Member

Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative (CTC) | 2026

Oversee the cooperative's budget, reserve funds, and investment portfolio.
Review financial performance and support long-term financial planning.
Advise the Board on financial policies, risks, and investment decisions.

Program Committee Member

Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative (CTC) | 2025 - 2026

Met monthly to plan and evaluate community programming initiatives.
Led the organization and execution of cultural, educational, and family-oriented events to strengthen resident engagement.
Collaborated with committee members and residents to enhance event participation and improve community life at CTC.

Graduate Student Senator for the College of Biological Sciences (CBS)

University of Minnesota | 2025

Elected representative serving on the University Senate and Student Senate at the University of Minnesota.
Advocates for the interests and well-being of CBS graduate students by voicing concerns, proposing initiatives, and collaborating with university leadership to improve academic and campus life.
Engages in policy discussions related to graduate education, equity, and research support across the university.

Sexual Harassment Complaint Liaison

Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Department, UMN | 2025 - 2026

Acts as a point person for sexual harassment claims.
Assists the complainant and assists with reporting if requested.
Liaise between the complainant and the department/university and ensure the complainant has all available resources and support.

Sexual Misconduct Hearing Committee Member

University of Minnesota | 2025 - 2026

Serves on formal hearing panels for sexual misconduct cases, as part of a trained university-wide committee. Determines whether it is more likely than not that a respondent violated the University's policy on sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, or relationship violence.
Currently undergoing formal training in Title IX policy and adjudication procedures.

International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) Member, Student Legal Service (Fall 2025 - Spring 2026)

Senior Facilitator for ISAB Spring 2026

University of Minnesota |

Serves as a liaison between international students and university leadership on matters related to student life outside the classroom.
Contributes lived experience and advocacy perspectives to improve institutional support, access to resources, and student engagement.
Focuses on bridging cultural and institutional gaps to foster a more inclusive, responsive, and empowering environment for international students.

Co-President, Graduate Student Body (EEB)

Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Department, UMN | 2022 Fall–2023 Spring

Acted as liaison between graduate students, departmental leadership, and the College of Biological Sciences. Led initiatives to rebuild the community post-pandemic, organized social events, and promoted departmental transparency.

Mentorship & Student Support

Incoming Grad Student Feedback Session, Itasca Retreat, UMN

University of Minnesota | Fall 2025

Joined the incoming graduate students on their orientation retreat at Itasca — sharing experiences, passing down lessons learned, and answering their questions about grad school with honesty (and without filters).

Field Guides Mentor

University of Minnesota | 2021 Fall–2023 Spring

Mentored a female undergraduate majoring in Ecology, Evolution & Behavior. Supported her academic and career development over three years by identifying research opportunities, discussing graduate school options, and helping align short- and long-term goals.

International Student Chair, Association of Multicultural Scientists

University of Minnesota | 2023 Fall

Planned and facilitated inclusive social events for graduate students. Promoted international student visibility and engagement within broader campus networks, collaborating with leadership across student groups.

Academic Communication & Event Organization

Editor, Departmental Newsletter

Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, University of Colombo | 2021

Curated and edited the official departmental newsletter, publishing academic updates, student highlights, and faculty news. Ensured clarity, accuracy, and accessibility of all written content.

Conference Coordinator, ATBC International Conference

Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC), Sri Lanka | 2019

Helped organize an international biodiversity conference. Coordinated speaker sessions, managed logistics, and supported workshop facilitation to ensure smooth delivery across the event.

Coordinator, Beginners’ Workshop for Birding

Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) | 2018–2019

Co-led beginner-level birding workshops, combining classroom instruction with field training. Introduced participants to bird identification, behavior, and conservation while managing program logistics.

Science & Creative Blogger, University Media Unit

FOS Media, University of Colombo | 2016–2021

Wrote science communication and creative articles for a student-run media outlet. Topics included international science days, research insights, and accessible science content for the public. Link to the Blog

Professional Development

_______________2025

Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization

Learned alternative approaches to managing people and gained a deeper understanding of what motivates employees. I practiced applying best practices for hiring, onboarding, rewarding, and evaluating staff, and learned how to avoid common mistakes in managing human resources. See Credentials

Analytics Project Ideation Specialization

UMN Carlson School of Management

Gained knowledge about identifying opportunities for data analytics and applying methods such as design thinking, process mapping, exploratory data analysis, predictive analytics, and advanced analytics to ideate, plan, and execute data-driven projects through hands-on, team-based case studies. See Credentials

Accelerate: Professional Development with an Advanced Degree

UMN Graduate School Academic & Professional Development

Learned about strategic approaches to professional development and career planning through four focused courses—on Individual Development Plans (IDPs), transferable skills, networking, and communicating with diverse audiences. Gained the mindset and tools needed to grow my career with purpose. See Credentials

AI for Work Skill Badge

Asana Academy

Trained on core AI fundamentals and practical use of Asana AI to streamline workflows, boost productivity, and enhance collaborative work management. See Credentials

AI Studio Foundations Skill Badge

Asana Academy

Learned how to write effective AI prompts, plan and implement AI-powered workflows, build rules that automate tasks and decisions, and troubleshoot workflows while keeping humans involved. See Credentials

Asana Ambassador

Asana Academy

Learned how Asana Ambassadors lead by example to integrate Asana into team workflows, promote collaboration, and empower others to work more productively and efficiently. See Credentials

Asana Foundations Skill Badge

Asana Academy

Learned how to effectively use Asana’s core features to organize work with projects, create accountability through tasks, monitor progress with portfolios and goals, and improve team productivity and communication through basic workflows. See Credentials

Clery Act Campus Security Authority Training

DPS Police Department

Got introduced to the federal reporting requirements and responsibilities as a Campus Security Authority, to ensure compliance with campus safety regulations.

Developing Leadership Skills

Graduate School, UMN

Developed leadership skills by examining the ecosystem affecting international students' leadership growth in the U.S. Strengthened collaboration and feedback abilities while cultivating a proactive, equity-focused approach to leadership. See Credentials

Leading Across Sectors and Professions for Collective Impact

Graduate School, UMN

This training helped to understand the attributes of successful cross-sector leadership teams and practice a set of interpersonal skills and mindsets necessary to succeed in cross-sector collaborations. See Credentials

Mindfulness at Work

Bakken Center, UMN

Learned core mindfulness skills—such as presence, emotional regulation, resilience, cognitive flexibility, and communication—while exploring their practical application in the workplace to better manage stress and understand how habits and attitudes shape work experiences. See Credentials

Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention and Response

Office for Equity and Diversity, UMN

Required training for employees that provides information on identifying, preventing, and responding to sexual misconduct, discrimination, and retaliation at the University

Title IX & Hearing Panel Training

Office for Equity and Diversity, University of Minnesota

Trained on issues related to prohibited conduct and grievance procedures that prioritize complainant safety and promote accountability.

Wellbeing & Resilience for (Health) Professionals

Bakken Center, UMN

Learned core mindfulness skills and explored specific applications of mindfulness to support wellbeing and enhance resilience in professional and personal lives. See Credentials

Workflow Specialist Certificate
Asana Academy

Learned to streamline project planning and execution by exploring Asana’s workflow management features, automation tools, and best practices for team collaboration. See Credentials

_______________2024

Student Group Leadership Program

Office for Student Affairs, University of Minnesota

Completed a hybrid semester-long program for registered student group leaders. Developed technical and adaptive leadership skills, with a focus on team strengths, improvement areas, and effective group dynamics.

_______________2021

Preventing Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination and Retaliation

University of Minnesota

Required training for employees associated with the University provides information on identifying, preventing, and responding to sexual misconduct, discrimination, and retaliation.

_______________2013

Leadership Qualities and Positive Thinking Program

Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka

Participated in a three-week residential leadership workshop for merit-selected university students across the country. Focused on cultivating leadership traits and a mindset of resilience and positivity.

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