Through just a few short years at The Chicago School, M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology student Shanaya Dsilva has already made a lasting impact on the university community. Across engagement both inside and outside the classroom, Dsilva has demonstrated the best of The Chicago School’s values of education, innovation, community, and impact.
Dsilva is one of more than 200 international students who enroll at The Chicago School from more than 30 different countries. As Dsilva highlights, university faculty and staff made her feel at home on the Dallas Campus and in her academic program right from the start.
“Early on, I was having trouble securing a work-study role that would work for me as an international student,” Dsilva says. “I mentioned this to my dean, Dr. Lance Garrison, and he was so proactive in supporting me.”
As a Student Success team member, Dsilva helped engage students through unique events and support for key processes such as course registration. She also took the time to help lead the university’s International Student Club, which helps make international students feel at home within their new university community through tailored assistance in areas such as financial aid, employment, and housing.
According to Dsilva, “Setting this club up as a student-run space makes such a difference. We see that international students tend to feel most comfortable talking about their challenges and concerns with fellow students who really understand what they’re going through. We create a safe space for this communication, inclusion, and growth.”
Dsilva’s impact extends beyond her academic program and her campus. Through an ongoing volunteer commitment to the refugee support organization For the Nations, Dsilva helps develop mental health programs for refugee families who are new to the United States. “It’s been really rewarding to see what I’m discussing in class about learning and development make a real difference for families in need,” Dsilva says.
Dsilva looks forward to leveraging all the skills she’s gained as a member of The Chicago School community to extend her impact. “I’m excited to find a role that allows me to see the ripple effect of my work,” she says, “how healthy organizations lead to healthy communities, which lead to a healthy society for all.”