Hi everyone! My name is Aditya Kataria and I’m currently a rising senior at AU, double majoring in CLEG and Data Science. I’m set to PL for the Plasticity: Shaping the Brain class for this upcoming semester, and this will be my fifth time as a Program Leader. On campus, I’m part of the ACLU at AU and the South Asian Student Association, and I spend my free time playing
video games, reading, and working out at the gym.

I decided to become a Program Leader because I wanted to give back to University College. My first semester was hard, but my University College helped me find friends. My Program Leader, Norah, did a great job introducing us to places on campus and in DC, and part of my decision to become a Program Leader was wanting to play that sort of role for incoming freshmen. Another big reason was the fantastic UC staff, who still make the UC experience fantastic today.

My favorite part of being a Program Leader is getting to know everyone in the program — the UC staff, my fellow Program Leaders, and the students. Every single semester is an opportunity to learn more about interesting people from around the world without the added stress of having to take the actual class. That, coupled with the ability to explore new places in DC myself, makes
being a Program Leader something I look forward to every semester.

Some professional skills I’ve developed as a Program Leader include organization, time management, and communication. As a Program Leader, it’s imperative that you stay organized to ensure the semester goes by smoothly. Things like keeping track of how much money you’ve spent, going to weekly cohort meetings, and running effective co-curriculars are all important to
success and are core parts of the Program Leader position. Time management is necessary, especially in situations where students need help or the professor has asked you to complete a task. Finally, communication between you, other PLs, your professor, and the UC staff is a key part in creating a great semester for everyone.

Some co-curriculars I’ve organized for my cohort were a trip to the U.S. Capitol, a myriad of movie nights, and a trip to the Word Museum. The Capitol is a great place for freshmen to visit, especially if their time at AU is their first time in DC. Movie nights are a great way for the PLs and students to destress and meet outside of class, and the Word Museum was a unique experience that I would not have had if I wasn’t part of the UC program.

My one piece of advice for future Program Leaders is to put yourself in the shoes of your students. An event may seem challenging to plan, but putting in the work could create a fantastic experience for the students in your class. Imagining yourself as a student in your class will make the semester fun for both you and your students!