Spotlight on.. our other incoming VP, Sheela Ranganathan!

Growing up, I was taught a lot about Indian and Hindu traditions. I was classically trained in Carnatic music, my mom would braid my hair with coconut oil every day, and we ate South Indian food for every meal. I’m not sure why I felt so much pressure to reject that part of myself in order to make friends and “assimilate” to the world around me, but I am so thankful that my parents never let me.

As a result, I care a lot about creating environments where people do not have to hide parts of themselves to fit in. I joined APALSA because the board did a great job of that last year, and my goal now as VP is to extend that: with more outreach to 1Ls, more collaboration with the other affinity groups, and more creative ways to find a home at the law school. Law schools are, by nature, pre-professional—but especially at Texas Law, we are also here to make lifelong friendships and memories, and I hope I can contribute to a small part of that for our membership.