When information systems and technology master’s student Anuja Pandey graduates this spring, she’ll leave behind an inspirational legacy of student involvement. On her resume, you’ll find everything from a term as senator in Student Government to memberships on four committees and advisory boards, including the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Academic Integrity Hearing Board. She even led the charge to resurrect a dormant student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
And she’s done all that in just two years here at UM-Dearborn.
An international student from India, Pandey credits the “diversity and welcoming environment” with helping her quickly find her niche in campus life.
“This university gave me the conviction to believe in my dreams and capabilities,” she said. “I was accepted for the person I was, and people around me were so helpful and nice. It never felt like I was away from home.”
Pandey has also made a big impact at her home away from home—The Union at Dearborn, a student housing community where she lives alongside many other international students and also works. Assistant Director Kristine Day said Pandey’s “organizational skills and tenacity” were instrumental in retooling the Union’s “messy” system of delivering packages to students. And she’s also taken on bigger challenges there, including becoming an advocate for improving healthcare options for international students.
“Anuja is hardworking, well-respected by her peers, holds others accountable and truly wants to make a positive difference,” Day said.“If you’ve had the privilege of interacting with here, she is someone I’m sure has made a positive and memorable impression on you because of the way she engaged with and cared about you.”
As has been the case with her student life, Pandey said she’ll approach her career by remaining open to lots of different opportunities. But she has a more definitive dream for her retirement.
“This might sounds strange, but toward my fifties, I hope to open a farm for rescued dogs,” she said. “I love dogs and visit the nearby pet shelter whenever I can. I hope in the future to have a place where I can give these four-legged friends a better life and lots of love.”