Meet a student leader who is dedicated to creating campus events to help peers de-stress

The University Program Board (UPB) brings large-scale events such as the Back to School Bash to life each year, with a team of students making it all happen. One such student is Harini Ganapathy, a fourth-year student double-majoring in neuroscience and psychology and vice president of UPB.

Ganapathy joined UPB three years ago as a first-year student. The experience was unlike anything she had done before.

“Before being involved in UPB, all the extracurricular activities that I did were academic-related,” she shared. “Indeed, event planning has always been something I sought to do. However, I never had a chance to try it until I came to college.” 

Ganapathy had dedicated countless hours to supporting events for students, all with the goal of helping students de-stress.. Activities hosted by UPB vary greatly, from handing out free food from local eateries to hosting concerts and comedy performances, to organizing workshops that allow participants to make their own bracelets, teddy bears, or bento boxes.

Outside of UPB events, Ganapathy manages a demanding schedule with two majors,  research projects and work as a tutor.

Despite her busy schedule, Ganapathy remains motivated to commit to UPB when she sees the enjoyment of campus members who participate in events. 

“We, as members of UPB, would often receive feedback from participants who kindly expressed their gratitude for the enjoyment they experienced. Sometimes, my friends would also share their positive experiences at a UPB event, even when I wasn’t the one hosting it,” she said. “Their kind words and expressions of joy have truly kept me going and remind me of the impact we create through our hard work.”

As a student leader, Ganapathy expressed her gratitude toward fellow UPB members who have been giving their best to support many UPB events, as well as to staff members who have supported her leadership. 

“Fueling our creativity in coming up with activities are the CWRU staff advisors, who have provided us with fervent encouragement, along with strong institutional support from CWRU,” she said. “I really appreciate how supported we are by the university in creating these de-stress events for students.”

For her dedication to serving the campus community, Ganapathy was recognized as an Outstanding Undergraduate Organization Member at the Student Leadership Awards in spring 2024. 

Answers have been edited for clarity and length. 

Q. Why did you choose CWRU, considering your goal of becoming a physician?

As a pre-med student, I chose CWRU for its strong academic programs and close connections to the hospitals nearby. I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer at University Hospitals and conduct research at Cleveland Clinic over the summer. These experiences have provided me with valuable insights and continue to motivate me on my path toward becoming a physician.

Q. As a student leader, what are you hoping to instill in your mentees and fellow club members?

As vice president, I am responsible not only for helping run events for students but also for hosting bonding meetings for UPB members. What I hope for UPB members, especially new ones, is a sense of closeness among the group, including with those in leadership positions like myself.

I also believe that having fun is essential for keeping members motivated to contribute, as the workload can sometimes be overwhelming. I truly hope that each member enjoys their involvement and time spent with UPB, rather than seeing it as an obligation.

Q. How has being a member of UPB and eventually taking on a leadership role shaped you personally and professionally?

To be honest, I never thought I was qualified to be a club leader. It was actually previous UPB members and our club advisors who encouraged me to apply for the position. Through this experience, I have gained greater confidence in my abilities, which has positively impacted many aspects of my life beyond my role in UPB.

Q. Do you have a favorite UPB event that you attended or hosted? 

“Back to School Bash” was probably the one! It was UPB’s fifth annual event, and we hosted over 1,500 attendees for a concert. There were a lot of unexpected circumstances that arose, such as a sudden power outlet burst, but these are valuable learning experiences for all of us. The turnout of the event was very positive, though. We received many kind words from the attendees, which was truly rewarding! 

Q. What are some of your plans after graduation?

Over the past summer, I was trained in a program in a healthcare facility to become a medical assistant, which I am planning to continue working during my gap year after graduation. The experience I had this past summer was rewarding in a similar way that I experienced when working at UPB, where I truly felt the gratitude from the patients I took care of. After that, I hope to apply to medical school and become a physician.